SANTA CLARA — Who would have bet that the first Super Bowl in Las Vegas didn't entice one betting-related question for our 49ers mailbag? Instead, fans wisely used their social-media time to deal concerns about the Feb. 11 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs for the Lombardi Trophy:
The Chiefs lost more games than usual this year. Can the 49ers game plan off of those? (@david581)
Every game will be combed through for tips, not just the losses. Common threads in each of those six losses: Patrick Mahomes got intercepted, fourth-down attempts went awry, and, opponents ran at least 25 times and averaged at least 3.5 yards per carry. All losses were by within eight points, except a 24-9 loss at Denver in Week 8 when they had five turnovers. Key trait: The Chiefs did not score more than 20 points in their defeats, so, as they say in Vegas, 21 could pay nicely for the 49ers.
Everyone's question: What happened to our defense and can it be fixed? (@ttime298)
It got fixed in time last game, in various capacities: more man-to-man coverage, better defensive line movement, ferocious play from ball-hunting linebackers, and, most of all, a timely turnover that Tashaun Gipson forced because he sleuthed out a run play and pried the pigskin free. Those factors, essentially, will help minimize the damage Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes can inflict. The defense's lack of cohesion and occasional miscommunication can be traced to moving parts the past month or two, but great bonding moments happened the past two wins.
Should Kyle maybe try to get the ball first and set the tone on offense to help the D? (@rp_tw)
Shanahan is forever wed to deferring and kicking off, when winning the coinflip. Rationale: the 49ers receive the second-half kickoff, and if they happen to score before halftime, they'd lap the Chiefs regarding possessions. Earlier this season, he invoked how such "2-for-1" moves often correlate to victory. In Super Bowl LIV, however, they won the toss, kicked off to the Chiefs, and the 49ers indeed had the ball last before halftime but conservatively ate the final minute (to John Lynch's dismay in the GM booth); then they settled for a field goal to open the second half for a 13-10 lead.
How is Christian McCaffrey's neck? (@ko_cheeze24)
McCaffrey reported he was "fine," an hour after landing on his head on a 25-yard run to set up the 49ers' final score and cap his NFC Championship outing. Trainers worked on his neck on the bench, and Kyle Shanahan dismissed it postgame as a nerve-stinger to the shoulder. McCaffrey wasn't exhibiting any pain as I walked with him to the postgame press conference, and I bet he won't miss a snap in his first Super Bowl appearance.
The last 2 games, I thought we come out and try to establish the run but did not go that way. Do you think the 49ers try to run it more this game? (@SFG_soccer)
If the 49ers do not unleash McCaffrey, the NFL's rushing champion, on the Chiefs' 18th-ranked run defense, then we riot. Last Super Bowl matchup saw Chris Jones blow up the 49ers' offense, so best to run away from him. Last Sunday, the Chiefs got impressive linebacker play and stacked the line of scrimmage against the Ravens' No. 1 rushing attack. Baltimore bizarrely ran only 16 times against 37 passes. Gus Edwards had a 15-yard run on his first carry on their opening touchdown drive, then only two carries afterward. In the 49ers' playoff opener, they opened with a 5-yard run by McCaffrey, but a false-start penalty had them air it out, unsuccessfully, then the next two drives were relatively run/pass balanced, as was the case in Sunday's first half against the Lions. Essentially, negative plays will force them to pass more. So run, Christian, run.
Should Brandon Aiyuk's 51-yard catch off of Vildor's facemask get the moniker, The Catch? (@john_stubler)
Everything needs a social-media handle, huh? It was a phenomenal, comeback-leading catch, showing Aiyuk's acrobatic ability, focus and determination. The Catch is never leaving Dwight Clark's grasp. The Catch II, that's Terrell Owens'. The Catch III (or Vernon Post) is Vernon Davis'. The Catch IV must be a playoff touchdown (on Feb. 11) like those. It's not the "Immaculate Deflection," because the Seattle Seahawks staked claim to that on Richard Sherman's tip on an end zone interception of Colin Kaepernick a decade ago for the NFC title. Other nominees: B.A. Ricochet, The Ladybug Leap, Fluke To Aiyuk.
What did you think of the defensive line's performance? (@ae_legend22)
It's not just that sacks are few and far between, though credit to Nick Bosa for his pair before halftime Sunday. Too often, the defensive ends are trapped inside on runs because of their aggressive orders. That's why the coaching staff insists the linebackers and defensive backs must come up and make a play. When anyone misses a tackle or an assignment, it's trouble.
What are the five main keys to stopping Kansas City? (@hope_dealer_shane)
Same as any game: Run the ball, stop the run, force takeaways, don't commit turnovers, and, sack Patrick Mahomes on third-and-15 with a fourth-quarter lead.
When will the Super Bowl parade be? (@j.prado22)
No question is more taboo to 49ers' officials than this one. They would never dare prematurely leak it. But it's typically the Wednesday after the Super Bowl. That was the case four years ago, when the 49ers cleaned out their lockers and the Chiefs celebrated through downtown Kansas City. Will the 49ers have a happy Valentine's Day? TBD, XOXO.
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