LAS VEGAS — The Super Bowl 2024 matchup features an established star at quarterback and a newcomer to the main stage.
Patrick Mahomes vs. Brock Purdy has been the focus for much of the week, and the headlines after the game likely will be about the quarterbacks.
But there are many more fascinating characters in this game.
Travis Kelce has achieved a new level of fame this season because he is dating Taylor Swift.
Christian McCaffrey has been one of the best players in the sport for several years and now gets to play in his first Super Bowl.
This is a rematch of Super Bowl 2020 when the Chiefs came back to break the hearts of the 49ers, 31-20.
There has been a lot of roster turnover since then, highlighted by the 49ers having a different quarterback.
Purdy had a great season, but he has not looked great in the playoffs.
The 49ers did not play their best but still managed to get wins over the Packers and Lions to get here.
On the other side, this will be Mahomes’ fourth Super Bowl.
After a subpar season for Mahomes and the Kansas City offense, they have produced in postseason wins over the Dolphins, Bills and Ravens.
They did need a missed field goal in Buffalo, and their defense carried the day in Baltimore.
Here is a closer look at how the game shapes up:
Chiefs pass offense vs. 49ers pass defense
The Chiefs were not as prolific this season throwing the ball as in years past.
They had drop issues, and Mahomes’ supporting cast did not produce like we’re used to seeing. That has changed in the playoffs.
Rookie Rashee Rice has caught 20 passes for 223 yards in the postseason and has become a weapon for Mahomes. Kelce had 11 catches on 11 targets in the AFC Championship game.
The 49ers were 14th in the NFL this season in pass defense and third in points allowed at 17.5.
They have a good pass rush, led by Nick Bosa (10.5 sacks) and Javon Hargrave (7).
Charvarius Ward is their top cornerback.
The Chiefs like to target the middle of the field, but that will be tough against the 49ers with linebacker Fred Warner in the middle and a single high safety in most of their defensive looks. The 49ers are not a heavy blitzing team. They will try to get to Mahomes by rushing four most of the time.
Edge: Chiefs
Chiefs run offense vs. 49ers run defense
The 49ers were strong against the run during the season, but it has been a weakness in the playoffs.
Aaron Jones ran all over them in the divisional round, then David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs hurt them in the NFC Championship game.
The 49ers ranked third against the run during the regular season, allowing 89.7 rushing yards per game. But in the postseason they are allowing 159 rushing yards a game.
They gave up 136 to the Packers and 182 to the Lions.
For the Chiefs, Isiah Pacheco has been a key to their offense. He has 1,179 scrimmage yards this season, 935 of them rushing. Pacheco’s physical running style had coach Andy Reid comparing him to Roger Craig this week.
The question for the Chiefs comes up front. All-Pro guard Joe Thuney has been ruled out of the game. Nick Allegretti will start in his place. The Chiefs have some weaknesses on the offensive line already. Losing Thuney could be tough for them to overcome.
Edge: Push
49ers pass offense vs. Chiefs pass defense
This could be the deciding matchup in the game. Kyle Shanahan’s passing attack against Steve Spagnuolo’s blitz packages.
The 49ers were fourth in the NFL in passing offense this season, and they averaged 28.9 points per game, third best in the league.
Purdy has gone from Mr. Irrelevant to an MVP candidate this season, though he has regressed some in the playoffs.
Purdy has plenty of weapons to choose from. Brandon Aiyuk, Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel and George Kittle are all tough to cover.
Spagnuolo has been on a roll, and the Chiefs allowed just 17.3 points per game this season, the second-best mark in the NFL.
They were fourth in passing defense.
The Chiefs had 57 sacks this season, second only to the Ravens.
Chris Jones and George Karlaftis led the team with 10.5 sacks each.
The Chiefs did suffer a loss in the AFC title game when Charles Omenihu tore his ACL.
On the back end, L’Jarius Sneed and Trent McDuffie form one of the best cornerback duos in the sport, and safety Justin Reid is tough.
The 49ers offensive line tied for the fewest sacks allowed (34) in the NFL, making this a great matchup.
Edge: Chiefs
49ers run offense vs. Chiefs run defense
McCaffrey led the NFL with 1,459 rushing yards this season and had 14 rushing touchdowns on 272 carries.
In the playoffs, McCaffrey has scored four rushing touchdowns, two in each of San Francisco’s games.
The 49ers were third in the NFL in rushing offense, averaging 140 yards per game on the ground.
Behind an offensive line led by all-world left tackle Trent Williams, McCaffrey has had room to run.
If there is a weakness in Kansas City’s defense, this is it.
The Chiefs finished the year 18th in rushing defense, allowing 113 yards per game.
The Bills ran for 182 yards against them in the divisional round.
Linebackers Drue Tranquill and Willie Gay are going to have to wrap up McCaffrey. Missed tackles could doom the Chiefs.
One of the strangest things about the AFC Championship game was how little the Ravens tried to run on the Chiefs. Don’t expect the 49ers to make the same mistake.
Edge: 49ers
Special teams
The matchup at kicker may be the most uneven one in this game.
Veteran Harrison Butker has been incredibly reliable for the Chiefs.
He made 33 of 35 field goals this season and has made his past 15 field goals, including four against the Dolphins in the wild-card round.
The 49ers drafted Jake Moody in the third round last spring. He made 21 of 25 field goals in the season and has missed two in the playoffs.
Punters Tommy Townsend of the Chiefs and San Francisco’s Mitch Wishnowsky are both steady. Neither team has a great returner. Richie James is averaging 10 yards per punt return for the Chiefs.
Ray-Ray McCloud averaged 8.5 for the Niners.
Edge: Chiefs
Coaching
There are some great coaches in this game, but Andy Reid is the best coach in the NFL with Bill Belichick out of work.
Reid has done another amazing job.
The Chiefs looked ready to stumble at several points this season, but Reid led them through the low points and here they are in another Super Bowl.
Though Reid is the current king in NFL coaching, Kyle Shanahan could take the throne someday.
He is a brilliant play-caller and play-designer. His offense always throws a ton of motions at defenses, and he uses his playmakers effectively.
You also can’t overlook Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who did a masterful job this season. “Spags” has delivered plenty of times, including for the 2007 Giants. You know he will have a strong game plan for Shanahan and the 49ers.
Edge: Chiefs
Intangibles
There are several interesting subplots.
This is a rematch of four years ago, when the 49ers controlled the game and had a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter before Mahomes led the Chiefs to three touchdowns in the final six minutes.
Though many players have moved on, there are plenty of 49ers who remember that game, and you’d have to think they have extra fire to avenge that loss.
The Chiefs talked openly about their “Super Bowl routine” this week, because they are so used to playing in this game, with four appearances in five years.
The Super Bowl can be overwhelming if you are not used to all the fanfare that comes with it. The Chiefs won’t be surprised.
Judging by the crowds in Vegas this week, this could be a heavy 49ers crowd. That could be a factor.
Edge: 49ers
