49ers: An unstoppable force meets an immovable object in Super Bowl LIV

The San Francisco 49ers are set to meet the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV which quite literally could be a matchup between an unstoppable force and an immovable object.

The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game for the right to play in Super Bowl 54. These two teams met earlier this season during a Week 12 demolition on Sunday Night Football.

The 49ers dominated that game just as well as they dominated the Championship rematch. With such a convincing win in Sunday’s game, San Francisco has punched their ticket to Miami for a chance to bring the Lombardi trophy back to the bay.

However, one more team stands in their way before they can claim their prize.

Time To Answer ANOTHER Question

All season long, the 49ers have been questioned, scrutinized, and doubted each week they took the field. It began with early offseason questions regarding the friction between general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan.

Shortly after that, they even received some minor scrutiny for possibly overpaying an unproven quarterback. A quarterback that has been doubted since week 1 of the 2019 season.

Doubted because of a severe ACL injury that he sustained in week 3 of the 2018 season, which hindered his growth within the Kyle Shanahan system.

There were also concerns about his ability to guide a team because of some questionable leadership skills due to his “personal relationships” he chooses to entertain off the football field.

So with the overwhelming odds stacked against them consistently, the 49ers had no other choice but to fight their way out of a corner much like a feline defends itself with its back against the wall.

Even after proving so many pessimists wrong and earning the right to play in the Super Bowl, San Francisco still receives very little support from some of the league’s top “experts.”

“Pretenders,” “don’t trust the quarterback,” “is the offense capable of scoring enough to hang with the top tier teams of the league?” Those were just a few examples for some of the narratives the 49ers had to deal with.

Of course, being the professionals that they are, they totally ignored the outside noise and bought into what the coaching staff was preaching on a weekly basis. You can see how much the players trust their staff and each other.

There are very few (if any), moments of finger-pointing or sideline scuffles between teammates after giving up a big play, not that they gave up many during the season.

The 49ers actually finished first in passing yards allowed per game, only surrendering 169.2 per contest. Enter the Kansas City Chiefs, who thrive on chunk yards and big plays averaging 281.1 yards per game.

This almost feels like a classic case of when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object. I’m so looking forward to this matchup.

One More Test for the Defense

Well, this finally appears to be the moment of truth for defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and his impressive side of the ball. If you’ve been following the 49ers for the last several years, then you can appreciate the kind of season we’re witnessing.

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The writing has been on the wall for the past year and a half but now, we are seeing a complete canvas full of beautiful artwork. Saleh and company will have their hands full with a Chiefs team that is loaded with speedsters at the skill positions.

They have three certified track stars who can take the top off the defense in a blink of an eye. Tyreek Hill, Mecole Hardman, and Sammy Watkins will certainly put some stress on that stellar defense.

If the 49ers are to have any chance at winning it all, they know how technically sound they need to be in order to escape with the ‘W.’ In my honest opinion, I strongly feel like the 49ers will be okay as long as the pass rush gets home and the back end remains disciplined and patient.

They cannot lose sight of their assignments and start chasing Patrick Mahomes, otherwise, he will extend plays and make the defense pay. Of the three losses the 49ers dropped this year, two of those quarterbacks were mobile and did just enough to eke out a win.

Of course, the circumstances were slightly different during those matchups because of a few roster adjustments, due to significant injuries on the defensive side of the ball.

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Now that the 49ers seem to be much healthier and stronger at the right time, this will finally be the test that will satisfy all naysayers until next season. I’m so happy that the 49ers stuck with Saleh this year when many were calling for his termination.

He, along with the entire organization, has demonstrated what patience and commitment can help you achieve with the proper mindset.

With one more game to go, the 49ers look to bring some gorgeous hardware back to this historic franchise. The quest for six continues on February 2nd, 6:40 p.m. (EST) when the Kansas City Chiefs square off against the San Francisco 49ers.

I truly believe the 49ers will not get their due respect until they finish the job. Even with a win, I’m sure the narrative will be about Kyle Shanahan’s brilliance or that stout defense which has carried them throughout the season.

In any event, I’m extremely excited about this game and I’m hoping for the best possible outcome which would be a 49ers win baby!