This article will contain my thoughts from the recent Super Bowl 54 between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers.
OVERVIEW
My overall thoughts on the Super Bowl, from an Offensive Line coach’s point of view, was that there was very good play on both sides (obviously, the teams are in the Super Bowl). The Chiefs had to display how to deal with a BALLER front seven, which outmatched them up front. Both teams found great success in the zone run game while both defenses sniffed out screens as if somebody snitched. I thought that the screen game would be a big weapon for the Chiefs to try and bypass the front seven a few times throughout the night, and take advantage of their predominately man protections. What it seemed like happened, to me, is that both teams tried to out-do what the other does best. The Chiefs tried to say they could run the ball like the 49ers, and the 49ers that they could throw the ball like the Chiefs.
49ERS
The 49ers ran wide zone very well. When the tree trunks up front are creating space in the run game as they were, the offensive coordinator for San Francisco has to stick with that. The 49ers used their success in zone concepts to open up the play-action passing. Nothing that we haven't seen them do before. While the Offensive Line did good with the play-action game, as it is very forgiving for those protecting, they were absolutely hammering the wide zone before. I understand that's their game plan, but especially in a game against a high-powered offense such as the Chiefs, I figured they would want to use their rushing success more.
The 49ers pass protected well in standard drop backs early, this broke down later in the game with Left Tackle Joe Staley coming in and out of the game. Justin Skule filled in whenever Staley was out, and although Skule may be a competent player, the 49ers sure missed Staley. The other Tackle, Mike McGlinchey, held his own for the most part. He got bullied a bit in the second half, however, the scheme wasn’t supporting his strengths very well. Although the gap scheme wasn’t there for San Francisco, I thought that Left Guard Laken Tomlinson was really bringing it when it comes to pulling in that department. Outside of that, Tomlinson had a solid game, which was more than I could say for his counterpart Mike Person. Mike Person, to be frank, struggled. He seemed to be moving inefficiently, as if he were dealing with an injury, and this cost him in every aspect. I’m confident in him as a player, however, think that when the ground game isn’t dominating it’s more difficult for him to perform optimally.
CHIEFS
As for the Chiefs Offensive Line, well, it was the Bosa show. Nick Bosa was an absolute wrecking ball and destroyed this game from beginning to end. Left Tackle Eric Fisher didn’t do well handling him. He was opening his hips early in his sets and giving Bosa a soft edge to rush on. However, in his defense, the Chiefs didn’t do a whole lot to shut down Bosa’s rush. The Chiefs started with some chips and support to Bosa, although, later in the game, they seemed to be sending more help to the way of Right Tackle Mitchel Schwartz. For one, I’m confident that Bosa is the single biggest threat on that field, chip him. Secondly, I believe that Schwartz is a better player than Eric Fisher in all aspects. I’m not sure why the Chiefs decided to let Fisher be on an island so much. They started to rectify this in the fourth quarter. With the increased support, Fisher had a very convincing fourth quarter which was enough to wrap up the game.
The Chiefs had a lot of success with running inside zone, also, they utilized speed option nicely to deal with Nick Bosa. This game showed how beneficial it is to have a quarterback capable of running in that aspect. Right Guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif put together a great game, supporting the Chiefs on the ground immensely and being stout in protection. The entire line stepped up in the fourth quarter and kept Mahomes upright to finish the game.
BOTTOM LINE
What it all came down to, in the end, was that the Chiefs Offensive Line made plays when they needed to. Whether it’s the speed option on fourth and one or Mitchel Schwartz having an incredible block at the goal line, the Chiefs came up big in the moments that mattered. I think that the 49ers unit had an incredible game and should they have stayed with the wide zone concept probably would've changed the outcome. In fact, I think that the Offensive Line played well enough to win most Super Bowls.
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