Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs
Sep 8, 2013; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports
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Super Bowl 54: Keys for the Chiefs to win it all

Matt Verderame NFL

If the Kansas City Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV, it will be their first title in 50 years. For Kansas City, the road has been rocky, with the Chiefs having to navigate injuries across the roster including to superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Now, Kansas City finds itself one win away from immortality. How does it beat the 49ers? A few keys:

  • Don’t beat themselves

The Chiefs have struggled at times this season taking penalties. In the postseason, slow starts have also plagued the team. While Kansas City was able to overcome such problems against the Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans, the 49ers are a step up in class. It won’t be easy climbing out of a double-digit hole. For Kansas City, it’s paramount to limit penalties, don’t turn the ball over and in general, play a clean game.

  • Protect Patrick Mahomes

This is probably going to be the game. San Francisco has an incredible front four of Nick Bosa, Dee Ford, DeForest Buckner and Arik Armstead. The 49ers had 48 sacks in the regular season and largely destroyed Kirk Cousins and Aaron Rodgers in the playoffs, amassing another nine sacks. If the Chiefs are going to win, they need to keep Mahomes clean and upright, allowing him to survey the field with the game’s best weapons running into open spots in the zone coverage. If Mahomes doesn’t get hit often, Kansas City very likely wins.

  • Show the defensive growth

The Chiefs have a very good defense in their own right, but nobody seems to be talking about that. Kansas City shut down Derrick Henry two weeks ago and since its Week 11 bye, have allowed a paltry 15.3 points per game. If Steve Spagnuolo’s group can continue playing that way against the 49ers, Mahomes won’t need to be his typically great self to win. He’ll only need to be good, which seems like a terrific bet.

  • Make the big plays

No team is more explosive than Kansas City, and the easiest way to flip the script in huge moments such as the Super Bowl? Hit a few big-gainers. The Chiefs have plenty of guys who can do that from Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins to Travis Kelce and Mecole Hardman. If anybody on Kansas City can get loose and score on a deep ball or catch-and-carry from Mahomes, it might be the rocket fuel needed to get past a tough 49ers team.

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