The Lombardi Trophy is headed back to Kansas City. Andy Reid gets his victory Cheeseburger, Travis Kelce fought for his right to party, and Joe Montana’s team came out on top.
As a part of the Faithful that attended the game, last night’s game will be dwelled on and hard to move on from – although, it’s very hard to hate the Chiefs. It’s very hard to hate Andy Reid. And it’s very hard to hate Patrick Mahomes. That Chiefs team remained dominant throughout the whole entire game. Adjusting at half, and dominating the fourth quarter to win the Lombardi Trophy.
The Chiefs were spot on last night – and that cannot be closer to the truth. Matching up against statistically the best defense in football (49ers), Eric Bieniemy scripted a gameplay that would tarnish the 49ers secondary. Either man or zone coverage, the 49ers could not keep up with the speedy Chiefs receivers, giving Pat Mahomes and his receivers unlimited momentum throughout the ball game.
Kansas City’s offensive line was inconsistent, letting the ferocious San Francisco front four put endless pressure on Mahomes. As much as Bosa, Ford, Armstead, and Buckner pressured the guy, Mahomes still created plays down field when the pocket collapsed. Continuous quick throws, stretch and draw run plays, or airing it out to his receivers, Robert Saleh could not seem to get his defense together. Mahomes took advantage of many opportunities, and RB Damien Williams found holes to tear apart this strong defense.
Simply what Mahomes is capable of, no matter the deficit, the guy just finds ways to keep his team in football games. He rallied his guys and scored three touchdowns with 6 minutes left to end the game – another reason why he won Super Bowl MVP.
Along with the Chiefs outstanding fourth quarter comeback, 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan had most fans considering his play-calling in the final 10 or some minutes of the game. Abandoning the ground game, Shanahan daringly chose for Garoppolo to air it out. In the fourth quarter alone, Jimmy G went 3-11 for 36 yards and an interception – resulting in a QBR of 2.8.
Very understandable that Garoppolo had the ball in his hands, but with 6:30 left on the clock and a 10 point lead you HAVE to burn out the clock. Arguably the best RB trio in football (Mostert, Coleman, and Breida) there was no reason not to shove the ball down the Chiefs throats.
As the game winded down, San Francisco’s O-line became very tired, and whenever Jimmy dropped back to pass, it seemed as if a Chiefs rusher was right in his presence. Yes, playing it “safe” is a poor move in the Super Bowl, but when a team’s run-game consists of those three guys; along with the best run-blocking TE in George Kittle, it’s foolish to avoid.
Alongside some questionable play calling, there were many iffy calls that Bill Vinovich and his team made. The Kittle offensive pass-interference could have gone either way, but there was no blatant hit face-mask to create space – Garoppolo led him perfectly to that football. If the flag is never thrown, the 49res go down and settle at half with a three point lead at the minimum. Chiefs DE Tanoh Kpassagnon also clearly jumped offsides on a crucial third and long, and Nick Bosa was clearly held on Tyreek Hill’s game changing reception. Finally, as the game clock shortened, Garoppolo scrambled out of bounds and took a late hit from a Chiefs defender that should have been called.
Call it what it is – but if that was Tom Brady the defender would have probably ended up in prison.
Impossible to blame this loss on anyone in particular for the 49ers – as they endlessly found ways to give the Chiefs momentum. Officiating has its ways in a football game, but up 10 with 6 and a half minutes to play, it’s about finding ways to burn the clock.
As for the Chiefs, a historical postseason comes to and end with a Lombardi Trophy. No matter how deep of a whole they fell into, Kansas City managed to climb out – making them Super Bowl Champions.
