The San Francisco 49ers will be trying to get even with the Kansas City Chiefs in a Super Bowl rematch for the ages.
As the two teams face off at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Super Bowl Sunday, we’re hypothesizing about what could possibly go wrong for the 49ers on game day (not that we’re hoping any of these scenarios play out).
While you can always point to a Kyle Shanahan team potentially blowing a lead in the Super Bowl, we’ve noted three specific reasons why the 49ers could falter against the Chiefs.
While none of these situations may come to fruition after the game kicks off, it’s worth noting what they are ahead of time.
1
Brock Purdy plays poorly
The discourse around Purdy became nauseating this season when it’s really not hard to peg the kind of quarterback he is right now: a perfectly fine starter who can win plenty of games and make big plays. But he has his limitations and can be exposed by a talented defense.
If the 49ers struggle against a very talented, well-schemed Chiefs defense on Super Bowl Sunday, we’re guessing it’s because Purdy wasn’t quite up to the task. Purdy will have to limit turnovers and be careful with the ball when he scrambles against a Chiefs defense that can exploit your mistakes with ease.
We’re speculating Kansas City’s game plan will revolve heavily around making Purdy uncomfortable and trying to get him to turn the ball over.
2
The secondary gets lit up by Patrick Mahomes
The 49ers secondary is not one of the league’s worst units by any stretch, but it’s definitely the weakest position group on San Francisco’s roster.
Without a truly elite corner and the season-ending injury to safety Talanoa Hufanga, teams can throw on the 49ers if they can get into a rhythm.
Cornerbacks Charvarius Ward, Deommodore Lenoir, Ambry Thomas and Isaiah Oliver and safeties Tashaun Gipson Sr. and Ji’Ayir Brown will all have their hands full with someone as stellar like Mahomes throwing the ball.
While Kansas City’s weakness is its receiving core, the team has made do, taking down heavyweights like the Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins. It could do the same against the 49ers if this secondary isn’t on its A-game.
3
Deebo Samuel or Christian McCaffrey get hurt
It’s a no-brainer that the 49ers can’t afford to lose Samuel or McCaffrey. The team’s offense basically runs through those guys and tight end George Kittle. But Samuel’s recent injuries and McCaffrey’s general injury history makes you a little more nervous if you’re San Francisco.
Both of those guys have to be healthy and active if the 49ers are going to win the 2024 Super Bowl. This offense just doesn’t look the same if one of them isn’t on the field. Samuel in particular needs to get plenty of rest until Super Bowl Sunday in order to maximize his health on the field for the season finale.
