Super Bowl LVIII Tale of the Tape: Who has the edge at each position group?
Here's how the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers stack up against each other at every position ahead of Super Bowl LVIII.
Quarterback
This is the Chiefs' biggest advantage. Brock Purdy has looked good, but no other team can top Kansas City at quarterback with Patrick Mahomes. He's the sport's best player and has achieved unprecedented playoff success through his first six seasons as a starter.
Purdy is having an impressive start of his own early in his NFL journey. The last pick in the 2022 draft, he took over as a starter midway through his rookie campaign and helped San Francisco reach the NFC title game. A year later - with Purdy healthy after an elbow injury removed him from that contest - the Iowa State product led the NFL in yards per pass attempt, passer rating, and EPA/play in 2023.
Purdy hasn't been as flawless this postseason: the 24-year-old's passer rating sits at 87.7. However, he led a clutch late drive in a comeback win in the division round and helped the Niners erase a 17-point deficit to claim the NFC championship. At least temporarily, he's silenced those who think he's just a game-manager playing in Kyle Shanahan's prolific offensive scheme.
While football fans have debated Purdy's play over the last two seasons, Mahomes has made history. The Chiefs star led K.C. to its second Super Bowl title in four years last campaign while earning regular-season and Super Bowl MVP honors. With 27 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions, he had a relatively down year in 2023. But strong performances in road wins this postseason reminded us how special Playoff Mahomes is. He's yet to be intercepted this postseason. Mahomes is also 3-0 in his career against the 49ers, including a triumph in Super Bowl LIV.
Advantage: Chiefs
Running backs
Death, taxes, and a Christian McCaffrey touchdown.
The 49ers have made McCaffrey a central part of their offense since acquiring him in a midseason 2022 trade, and the results are incredible. McCaffrey led the NFL in touches (339), scrimmage yards (2,023), and scrimmage touchdowns (21) in the regular season. He's already scored four TDs this postseason while averaging 5.1 yards per carry. However, San Francisco hasn't used its other rushers often.
Pacheco isn't nearly as skilled as McCaffrey, but the Chiefs tailback is also hot ahead of the big game. Though he's averaging four yards per rushing attempt, Pacheco has scored in each of his team's three playoff matchups while amassing 281 scrimmage yards. Kansas City also rosters Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who's had flashes but was limited to one carry in the AFC title game.
Running back depth isn't a strength in the Super Bowl, evidenced by the fact that Purdy and Mahomes rank second on their respective teams in rushing this postseason. But McCaffrey gives San Francisco a clear advantage here. There's also Kyle Juszczyk, the All-Pro fullback who's a star in the 49ers' backfield. Juszczyk has only one carry this postseason, but his blocks and pass-catching ability have been clutch for Shanahan's outfit.
Advantage: 49ers
Receivers
San Francisco boasts football's most dynamic and explosive group of skill-position players. With McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, and George Kittle, the 2023 Niners became only the sixth team ever to have four players with 1,000-plus yards from scrimmage. San Francisco piles up yards after the catch more than any other team, which will be a big factor come Feb. 11. This group led the NFC in total yards in 2023.
It's also worth keeping an eye on Jauan Jennings, an under-the-radar weapon. In addition to being a solid blocker, the 6-foot-3 Jennings had four first-down conversions in the divisional round and made a crucial one-handed catch on third down in the NFC championship.
While the 49ers have the luxury of having special weapons everywhere, the Chiefs struggled to find reliable targets all season. No Kansas City pass-catcher topped 1,000 yards in 2023, and its receivers led the NFL in drops. Even the great Travis Kelce looked rusty at some points. That said, Kelce and rookie Rashee Rice have come up clutch in the playoffs, ranking second and fourth in receiving yards this postseason, respectively. Depth remains an issue, but this group seems to be gaining momentum at the right time.
An X-factor for K.C. could be Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Brought in to be a deep vertical threat after Kansas City traded away Tyreek Hill, Valdes-Scantling has had his least-productive season. He did make a 32-yard diving grab to seal the AFC title matchup; this team may need more of that Sunday. In Super Bowl LIV, Hill hauled in a 44-yard reception on third down with K.C. down by 10. That was the spark the team needed at the time. MVS is no Tyreek, but he's one of the few deep options Kansas City has.
Advantage: 49ers
Offensive line
The Chiefs' O-line dominated the Baltimore Ravens' top-ranked pass rush in the AFC title game despite not having Joe Thuney. It doesn't sound like the All-Pro guard - who's played in four Super Bowls - will be fully healthy for the big game, so Nick Allegretti could step in again. Allegretti was solid versus Baltimore and also started at LG in Super Bowl LV versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jawaan Taylor will also draw attention, although he's mostly struggled in 2023. He's been called for an NFL-high 20 penalties, including the playoffs. Taylor looked better in the last two games, but the jury is still out.
Led by All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams, San Francisco's offensive line might be the NFL's best in run blocking and deserves a lot of credit for McCaffrey's spectacular numbers. The Niners don't roster another high-profile offensive lineman other than Williams, but this dynamic group is as healthy as it could be this time of the year.
An ideal Super Bowl offensive line would feature the 49ers' tackles and the Chiefs' interior group, led by Pro Bowl center Creed Humphrey. Both teams ranked in the top 10 for the fewest sacks allowed in 2023. This is a close call with Thuney banged up, but K.C.'s O-line ultimately takes it due to its momentum and Super Bowl experience.
Advantage: Chiefs
Front seven
Few front sevens, if any, feature as much star power and depth as the 49ers'. Led by Nick Bosa and Fred Warner, San Francisco had football's No. 1 defense in 2022. The Niners added Javon Hargrave and Chase Young in 2023, creating more mismatch nightmares for opposing offenses. However, the front four has struggled against the run in the playoffs and has amassed just two sacks (all of which came from Bosa). Being outplayed in the trenches explains why San Francisco hasn't dominated this postseason.
The Chiefs have turned heads with Chris Jones, George Karlaftis, and Co., most recently in the AFC championship when they limited MVP front-runner Lamar Jackson and the Ravens to 10 points. Karlaftis topped double-digit sacks in 2023 and leads the team in that category in the playoffs. His momentum, combined with Jones' All-Pro form, gives K.C. an unstoppable duo. Injuries are the biggest issue for Kansas City as starting lineman Derrick Nnadi and defensive end Charles Omenihu - who had a career-high seven sacks in 2023 - won't play. Willie Gay is battling a neck ailment but will likely be available after missing one game.
Both teams have front-seven weapons capable of stealing the show. The 49ers' unit hasn't performed at its best recently, but the Chiefs' depth is being tested. Here, San Fran deserves the benefit of the doubt due to its absurd amount of individual talent and how hungry this unit is to win its first title together. Kansas City spoiled Super Bowl dreams for Bosa, Warner, Arik Armstead, and Dre Greenlaw four years ago and for Javon Hargrave last year.
Advantage: 49ers
Secondary
It's safe to say the Chiefs wouldn't be in this championship matchup if not for their stout defense, and their secondary is the unit's biggest strength. Somehow, Trent McDuffie was the only All-Pro or Pro Bowl defensive back from this team in 2023, but L'Jarius Sneed has also been great. McDuffie has broken up four passes in the playoffs, while Sneed recorded two pass breakups and a clutch forced fumble at the goal line versus Baltimore. Plus, the likes of Justin Reid, Mike Edwards, Jaylen Watson, and Joshua Williams all have Super Bowl experience.
We can't say the same about the 49ers, who have depth issues in their secondary and lost former All-Pro safety Talanoa Hufanga to a torn ACL in November. But former Pro Bowlers Tashaun Gipson and Charvarius Ward - who won a ring with K.C. over San Francisco - have been good. Ambry Thomas, a starter who struggled in the NFC championship, left the Detroit Lions matchup with an ankle injury but is on track to face the Chiefs.
San Francisco's secondary isn't bad by any means, but Kansas City's group of defensive backs looks flawless and is on fire at the moment. Its matchup against the 49ers' stacked group of skill-position players is one of the most interesting things to watch in Super Bowl LVIII.
Advantage: Chiefs
Special teams
Neither the Chiefs nor the 49ers have done a lot in their return game. Tommy Townsend hasn't been as effective as he was as an All-Pro punter in 2022, but he and Mitch Wishnowsky remain reliable veterans.
The biggest difference between the AFC and NFC champions is at kicker. While Harrison Butker converted 94% of his regular-season field goals and is perfect in seven playoff FG attempts, Jake Moody has had ups and downs. The third-round rookie has missed two field-goal attempts this postseason.
Special teams were huge for the Chiefs to lift the Lombardi Trophy last year. Kadarius Toney set up a fourth-quarter touchdown with a 65-yard punt return versus the Philadelphia Eagles - the longest punt return in Super Bowl history - and Butker later hit the winning field goal in the dying seconds of a 38-35 triumph.
Advantage: Chiefs
Coaching
There are several interesting storylines behind the coaches in Super Bowl LVIII. Winning a third ring would bolster an already great resume for Andy Reid, one of the sport's most creative play-callers. The future Hall of Famer will coach in his fifth career Super Bowl on Feb. 11.
On the other side, Shanahan is getting another shot at redemption after suffering comeback losses in his two Super Bowl appearances. The 44-year-old was the Niners' sideline boss against Reid's Chiefs four years ago, and he was the Falcons' coordinator and play-caller when Atlanta infamously blew a 28-3 lead against the Patriots. But Shanahan's system is undoubtedly effective and has helped former NFL MVP Matt Ryan, Jimmy Garoppolo, and now Purdy record career years.
The defensive coordinators will be under the spotlight, too. Steve Wilks generated head coaching interest this year, but his game plans this postseason haven't been great, especially against the run. The Niners also need to pressure QBs more often. Meanwhile, K.C.'s AFC title game performance left many wondering why Steve Spagnuolo didn't get HC interviews this cycle. After helping the 2023 Chiefs build their best defense of the Mahomes era, Spagnuolo's unit put on a clinic on every level versus the Jackson-led Ravens. The three-time Super Bowl champion Spagnuolo is the only offensive or defensive coordinator ever to lift the Lombardi Trophy in that role with multiple franchises (New York Giants and Chiefs).
Advantage: Chiefs