For the 2024 Super Bowl in Las Vegas on Sunday, the Kansas City Chiefs will be looking to once gain top the San Francisco 49ers in the big game.
But once the two teams kick off on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium, plenty of things could go wrong for the Chiefs on game day (not that we’re hoping any of these scenarios play out).
While the absolute worst-case scenario for Kansas City would be quarterback Patrick Mahomes getting injured, we’ve pointed out three specific reasons why the Chiefs could falter against the 49ers (aside from that disaster).
While none of these situations may come to fruition once the game kicks off, it’s worth noting what they are beforehand.
The wide receivers let Patrick Mahomes down
The Chiefs’ struggling wide receiver core became the story of Kansas City’s season until its inspired playoff run. Could it be the way this story ends?
Kansas City cannot afford to let Mahomes down against an opportunistic 49ers defense. Drops are the big concern here, as this will be a game won on big plays and could be lost on big whiffs. San Francisco will likely key in on Travis Kelce for its game plan, and the other receivers will need to step up.
Rookie wideout Rashee Rice has been a steady presence as of late, but other receivers like Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Justin Watson and Mecole Hardman Jr. will need to play well for Kansas City to win this game.
Injuries keep hitting the offensive line
Injured starting guard Joe Thuney not playing in the 2024 Super Bowl would be a difficult blow for the Chiefs, even if Nick Allegretti stepped up admirably in his place against the Baltimore Ravens.
The Chiefs cannot afford any additional injuries up front, as San Francisco’s defensive line will present a major challenge for this offense as it is.
Kansas City fans will have to hope this unit stays healthy on Super Bowl Sunday because Thuney’s absence could be hard enough already.
The defense gets outschemed by Kyle Shanahan
The Chiefs defense has been a steady presence this season through some offensive inconsistencies, but there isn’t a sharper mind in the NFL calling offensive plays than 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan.
That will give defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and the rest of the Kansas City defense plenty to handle on game day. This team cannot afford to let Shanahan smart his way around one of the league’s better defenses with his creative play calls and unique formations.
It’d be less than ideal for Kansas City if this became a shootout with the state of the Chiefs’ receiving core as it is. The defense can help stop that.
