Chiefs' Key Matchups vs. 49ers in Super Bowl 58
The Kansas City Chiefs have had their ups and downs this season, but it's ending in the same way many seasons have in the Patrick Mahomes-Andy Reid era have—with a shot at winning the Super Bowl.
The Chiefs have once again found a way to be playing their best football in January. After finishing the season with the third seed in the AFC they have now beaten the Dolphins, Bills and Ravens on their way to their fourth Super Bowl in five years.
The Chiefs are 2-1 in the big game with Mahomes as the quarterback. That record will be put to the test against a Niners team that has proven itself throughout the season. They have one of the best and most well-rounded rosters in the league so there are intriguing matchups all over the field.
Here's a look at three that the Chiefs need to win in order to take home the trophy.
Donovan Smith vs. Chase Young
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The last time the Chiefs played the 49ers was in 2022 when Kansas CIty blew out the 49ers 44-23 seven games into the season. It isn't wise to take too much away from that matchup, but the Chiefs did enjoy good pass protection in that game.
They sacked Jimmy Garoppolo five times while the Chiefs only surrendered one sack and three quarterback hits.
Two major things have changed when it comes to the Chiefs offensive line against the Niners' defensive line. The 49ers have traded for Chase Young while the Chiefs have replaced Orlando Brown Jr. with Donovan Smith.
The Chiefs picked up Smith after the Buccaneers released him. The hope was that he would solidify the left tackle spot, but he's not been the stabilizing force they'd hoped. Smith has the highest blown-block percentage of his career at 5.4 percent and 38 total blown blocks on the year, per Sports Info Solutions.
Meanwhile, San Francisco traded for Chase Young at the deadline in an aggressive move to get here. It's mostly not panned out in terms of pass-rush production. He had just 2.5 sacks in nine regular season games and has been singled out for his lack of effort on a Jahmyr Gibbs touchdown in the NFC Championship Game.
However, both of these players were brought in to help take their team over the top. The matchup between the two could provide a redemption arc and play a major role in the result.
L'Jarius Sneed vs. Brandon Aiyuk
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The Chiefs are one of the best man coverage teams in the league. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo can get aggressive because his team is able to play man at the seventh-highest rate in the league and is third in EPA per play, according to The 33rd Team.
A big reason for that is because L'Jarius Sneed is one of the best man coverage corners in the league. His length and physicality have allowed him to get up and jam some of the best receivers in the league and he will often shadow the opposing team's best receiver.
The 49ers also happen to lead the league in EPA per play when facing man coverage. That's because Brandon Aiyuk has been one of the best receivers against man coverage this season. His route-running has allowed him to burn corners consistently this season.
It sets up a strength-on-strength matchup that is bound to have an outsized impact on the game.
Both had profound impact on their respective championship games last week. Sneed punched the ball out of Zay Flowers hands to force a turnover to wing momentum to the Chiefs. Aiyuk only had three catches but they went for 68 yards and a touchdown.
The Chiefs need Aiyuk to have another lockdown game and force the ball to the Niners other playmakers.
Travis Kelce vs. 49ers Defense
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Travis Kelce had a ho-hum season by his standards. He failed to hit 1,000 yards receiving after hitting the benchmark in seven consecutive seasons. he saw his touchdowns dip from 12 in 2022 to five.
But the playoffs have seen Kelce rise to the occasion and look like his usual dominant self so far. That was especially true against the Ravens where he caught all 11 of his targets for 116 yards and a touchdown.
He's taken over with 23 receptions for 262 yards and three touchdowns in the Chiefs three postseason games.
That's bad news for the 49ers because good tight ends have had some good outings against them. Specifically, when it comes to moving the chains and finding ways to get open underneath.
Sam LaPorta was one of the Lions most successful players going for 97 yards on nine receptions. Trey McBride had 102 yards on 10 catches in Week 15.
The Chiefs can do a lot to make sure they get Kelce into situations they like so it's going to take a team effort for the Niners to slow him down. If Mahomes is able to rely on him throughout the game then it's going to be hard to get their offense off the field.
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