How the 49ers could dominate in Super Bowl against Chiefs
Analytics suggest the 49ers' ground game matches up well with the Kansas City Chiefs' run-stop unit, giving San Francisco the best chance to win its first Super Bowl since the 1994 season.
The 49ers averaged the fourth-most yards per carry during the regular season (4.8) and had the third-most rushing yards per game (140.5). Christian McCaffrey, who deserves most of the plaudits for the ground success, averaged 5.4 yards per carry during the regular season and 5.1 in two postseason games.
Despite allowing the second-fewest points per game (16.8) and boasting the fourth-best pass defense in the regular season, the Chiefs had the 17th-best rush defense and allowed 4.5 yards per carry, the NFL's joint-seventh-most.
The Chiefs were even worse in zone situations, which should concern Kansas City head coach Andy Reid and company. According to ESPN's Mina Kimes, San Francisco had the best zone rushing attack, while the Chiefs' run-stop unit against zone ranked second worst.
The 49ers also had the joint-most rushing TDs per game during the regular season (1.7), thanks to McCaffrey, who scored 14 rushing TDs and added four more against the Packers and Lions in the postseason.
Giants running back Saquon Barkley has backed the 49ers to prevail on Sunday due to the reasons above, namely McCaffrey's indomitable presence.
In the Chiefs' win in the AFC Championship Game, the Ravens ran the ball on 28.1% of plays, a stark contrast to the regular season, when they ran 49.9% of the time, the league's highest proportion.
Don't expect San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan to make the same egregious error.
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