NFL Playoffs: Super Bowl Recap

Now that the big game has come and gone, and the Kansas City Chiefs are Super Bowl Champions once again, lets take a look back at last weeks predictions and how they held up to the actual game, as well as what both teams need going forward.

1st Quarter: Defense, as well as a major mistake by the 49ers, controlled all of the 1st quarter. The 49ers lost the toss and started with the ball, and proceeded to drive right down the field on the Chiefs. It looked like my prediction was going to be accurate with a Christian McCaffery touchdown to open the game, until he ultimately fumbled the ball while the 49ers were driving into Chiefs territory. The next 3 drives totaled 11 plays and 32 yards, resulting in 3 punts. The first score of the game would not come until the first minute of the 2nd quarter. The Chiefs looked disjointed their first few drives, having sacks, negative run plays, and plays that would come up a few yards short of a first down. The 49ers after their initial drive fumble, got back on track to end the first quarter and start the second quarter. Predicted 7-3 49ers. Actual 0-0.

2nd Quarter: The 49ers opened the scoring in the Super Bowl with a Jake Moody field goal from 55 yards out. The following drive by the Chiefs was boosted by a massive 52 yard pass from Mahomes to Mecole Hardman, setting the Chiefs up beautifully inside the 49ers 10 yard line. The very next play, Isaiah Pacheco, who I predicted would carry the Chiefs in this game, especially in the red zone, fumbled the ball and gave it right back to the 49ers. Two more drives of nothing, ending with punts, the 49ers got their ship right, ending their drive with a double pass touchdown. Purdy, to Jauan Jennings, to Christian McCaffery for a 21 yard touchdown to extend the 49ers lead to 10-0. The Chiefs were in dire need of some ball control, and some points, having only put up 1 substantial drive so far in the first half. They did exactly that, going 13 plays, 65 yards, and 4:03 of game time, ending with a 28 yard Harrison Butker field goal. While it may seem that it was a failure of a drive because they did not score a touchdown, they did end the drive with points, and they were getting the ball to start the second half. Predicted 14-13. Actual 10-3.

3rd Quarter: As predicted, the Defenses of both teams stepped up to start the 2nd half. On the third play of the half, Mahomes was intercepted by Ji’Ayir Brown, setting up the 49ers in great position. The next 3 drives totaled 9 plays and 7 yards, with 3 punts. The next Chiefs drive, buoyed by a 22 yard Mahomes scramble, ended in another Harrison Butker field goal, this time from 57 yards out, making it 10-6. It seemed like defenses were going to reign king for the second half, until a punt by the Chiefs ended up being muffed by Darrell Luter and recovered by the Chiefs inside the red zone. One play later, Mahomes would find Marquez Valdes-Scantling for a 16 yard touchdown to take the lead for the first time, 13-10. The 49ers needed to settle things down and get back to what they have done all game: win the line of scrimmage and bleed the clock down. Predicted 21-21. Actual 13-10.

4th Quarter: The 49ers got back to their bread and butter, grinding out a long, 12 play - 75 yard drive, capping it off with Jauan Jennings receiving a 10 yard pass from Brock Purdy for a touchdown. Jake Moody would have his extra point blocked, making it 16-13. At this point in the game, the offenses had woken up and figured out how to move the ball. The Chiefs drove 12 plays, 69 yards to get the tying field goal from Harrison Butker, making it 16-16 with just under 6 minutes of game time to go. The 49ers responded right back, taking off 3:53 of game time, and getting the go ahead points on a 53 yard Jake Moody field goal, leading 19-16 with 1:53 remaining. While most teams would begin to worry at this point, the Chiefs have been here before too many times, and with Mahomes at the helm, no one on that sidelined blinked. The Chiefs would go 11 plays in 1:50, setting up Harrison Butker to kick a 29 yarder his 4th field goal of the game, making it 19-19 heading into overtime. Predicted 28-27. Actual 19-19.

Overtime: There had only been one other overtime game in the history of the NFL, which Kyle Shanahan was also a part of, as the offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons where they blew a 28-3 lead to the New England Patriots. This was also the first year that we would get to experience the new overtime rules in the Super Bowl, where both teams would possess the ball regardless of what happens on the first drive, unless the first drive ended in a defensive score. The 49ers started with the ball, thinking that if both teams scored, they would be the first team to possess the ball when the sudden death time came. They drove 13 plays and 66 yards, but sputtered in the red zone, having to settle for a Jake Moody field goal to make it 22-19. All the Chiefs needed was a field goal to extend the game, but with Mahomes at the helm, that was never the goal. The Chiefs faced a 4th down early in this drive, which would have ended the game if they got stopped. Mahomes took it into his own hands and converted with an 8 yard scramble to keep the drive alive. The Chiefs couldn’t be stopped on 3rd down this drive, converting 2 more 3rd down attempts on their way to the 49ers red zone. With 3 seconds left in the first overtime period, Patrick Mahomes hit Mecole Hardman in the flats to score the game winning, walk off touchdown in the Super Bowl. Predicted 28-27 Chiefs. Actual 25-22 Chiefs.

It was a much more defensive battle than I had initially thought. The 49ers looked like the better team from the first snap, and for the most part they maintained that look well into the second half. The entire momentum of the game changed when the 49ers muffed the punt in the 3rd quarter. Up to that point, the Chiefs looked lost on what to do against the 49ers defense. After this moment, it seemed like a weight was taken off of their shoulders, and they settled in for the rest of the game. After the AFC Championship game, I refused to bet against Patrick Mahomes in the big game, even though the 49ers were the more complete, better team, top to bottom. But when the big games come down to the final moments, there is no one in the NFL that is better than Patrick Mahomes. Brock Purdy did exactly what he has done all season, not turn the ball over, and lead a very efficient 49ers offense. Christian McCaffery looked like the Offensive Player of the Year that he was all year, leading the 49ers in both rushing and receiving on the day. What puzzled me the most in this game, was that on the first 3 drives of the second half for the 49ers, McCaffery ran the ball once, and only touched it twice in 9 plays. He had dominated the first half for the 49ers. It got to the point of Tony Romo and Jim Nantz questioning the play calling of Shanahan. The 49ers got away from their identity to start the second half, and it slowed the game down too much for them. If they kept their foot on the gas pedal, and let McCaffery gash the Chiefs like he had done most of the game, the outcome of this game might look a bit different.

What now? For the Chiefs, their focus will turn to the celebration parade in Kansas City, as they enjoy their back to back titles. Once the celebrations are over, all focuses will turn to the draft. Kansas City doesn’t seem to have many holes, but there is one glaring one: receiving core. Who will the Chiefs have as offensive weapons next season? Rashee Rice is a stud, but can he be, or is he a number 1 receiver? Travis Kelce regressed in the regular season, but turned it on in the playoffs. Is the regression here to stay? Or will the playoff Kelce be the regular season Kelce next season? The Chiefs will also need to address the Defensive line in either Free Agency or the Draft. Will Chris Jones return next season? Will Charles Omenihu recover from his ACL injury by mid season considering he tore it in the AFC Championship? There are areas of concern for the two time reigning champions, but these concerns can be addressed via Free Agency or the Draft.

For the 49ers, there are bigger questions. Is Purdy the guy to get you over the hump? Or is this the time to tade for a big name superstar or sign one in Free Agency? Will Trent Williams retire, or even regress in his abilities? The 49ers need to address Cornerback as well. Outside of Charvarious Ward, they are thin in at that position. There are players in the draft, such as Ennis Rakestraw out of Missouri, or Kamari Lassiter out of Georgia (sorry Cooper DeJean and Terrion Arnold homers, they’ll be long gone). They could also go tackle, with Jordan Morgan out of Arizona, or Tyler Guyton out of Oklahoma. The 49ers also need to address Kyle Shanahan. Can he get over the hump and finally win the big game? He has had 3 opportunities, 2 as a head coach. In all 3, big leads were blown. Is he the guy to take San Francisco all the way? Or do they need to look elsewhere? Now, I think firing Kyle Shanahan would be a monumentally bad decision by the 49ers leadership. But, given recent events, it would not be out of the question. Dallas has won 12 games in each of the last 3 seasons, but can’t get past the divisional round. Mike McCarthy is on the hot seat. How many teams would give their left arm to have 3 consecutive 12 win seasons? A lot of them would, and that just isn’t the standard that people want in Dallas. People in San Francisco don’t want losing in the Super Bowl to become the mantra of a team that hasn’t won the big game in 28 seasons. While they have been 3 times since then, no one hangs banners for making it to the Super Bowl.

Now that the Super Bowl, and the 2023-2024 NFL season has come and gone, it is time to move onto the 2024-2025 NFL season. Everyone’s hopes and dreams have been restored for next season, albeit some teams have less than others. The road to Super Bowl 59 has begun. The time is now: Bring on the NFL Combine.