Super Bowl Sunday is just around the corner. Come Sunday, fans will be screaming at the top of their lungs rooting for their team, especially San Francisco 49ers fans. From the beginning of the season, the 49ers have been dominant. They have bulldozed their way through the season and are now four quarters away from hoisting the Lombardi trophy and bringing it home to the Bay Area. But, what will it take for the 49ers to win the Super Bowl?
1. Christian McCaffrey
It's no secret that Christian McCaffrey is not only the best player on the 49ers but also the best running back in the NFL. On Thursday night, McCaffrey was named the 2023 Offensive Player of the Year, and rightfully so. This was a dominant season for McCaffrey. In his first full season with the 49ers, McCaffrey had 272 rushing attempts for 1,459 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also had 67 receptions for 564 yards and a career-high 7 touchdowns. It's safe to say that McCaffrey will be essential to the 49ers offensive game plan on Sunday. If McCaffrey gets hot early, San Francisco has a chance to do some serious damage early on.
2. Brock Purdy limits turnovers
Even though Brock Purdy played a key part in this Super Bowl run for the 49ers, he has had a hard time with protecting the ball. Purdy has also at times struggled with not turning the ball over. This season he has 11 interceptions (including 4 in one game against the Baltimore Ravens) and also has 6 fumbles on the season. The last thing Purdy needs to do is give Patrick Mahomes extra chances to put points on the board. Protecting the ball is key and the best way to beat the Chiefs, as lately it's not the best strategy to simply try and outscore an offense that suddenly got hot toward the end of the season.
3. Slowing down Patrick Mahomes
Slowing down Patrick Mahomes is easier said than done. But, the 49ers have one of the most talented defenses in the NFL. Guys like Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, Arik Armstead, Javon Kinlaw, and Dre Greenlaw will be going after Mahomes and will put up a fight against the Kansas City offensive line. The secondary will also have their hands full with trying to slow down Travis Kelce as he will be trying to put on a show for all Chiefs fans and of course his girlfriend Taylor Swift. If the secondary can slow down the receivers and Nick Bosa can't be contained, it will be a repeat of Super Bowl LV for Kansas City.