2020 Super Bowl Odds

The 2020 Super Bowl: The Breakout Backup vs The Magical Mahomes

It’s the final countdown for the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs as they are about to battle it out on Sunday for the coveted Lombardi trophy. With both teams having powerful defenses, it all boils down to the man slinging the rock.

In the NFC corner we have the breakout backup quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo who finished the regular season with a 69% completion rate, 3,987 yards, 27 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. In the 37-20 win over the Green Bay Packers that crowned the 49ers NFC Champions, Garoppolo only threw the ball eight times and had six completions for 77 yards. He had no passing or rushing touchdowns. Running back Raheem Mostert carried the load with 29 carries for 220 yards and four rushing touchdowns. 

In the AFC corner we have the mystical Patrick Mahomes who will lead the Chiefs to their first Super Bowl visit in 50 years. Mahomes finished the regular season with a 65% completion rate, 4,031 yards, 26 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. With a 35-24 win the Chiefs took down the underdog Tennessee Titans to become the AFC Champions. Mahomes threw the ball 35 times and had 23 completions for 294 yards and three touchdowns. He had eight carries for 53 yards and one rushing touchdown. Sammy Watkins led the game in receiving with seven receptions for 114 yards and one touchdown. 

How Can The Chiefs Win?

Simple. Stop the run. 

If Kansas City can force Jimmy Garoppolo to throw then there will be more room for mistakes in Garoppolo’s game play. Yes, I’m looking at you, 13 interceptions. Garoppolo’s kryptonite is consistency. If the Chiefs want to win they need to make Jimmy G decide if he’s going to have an on day or an off day early in the game. Another key factor would be to not allow the 49ers to get as far ahead in scoring as Kansas City’s previous opponents did. 

The Chiefs rallied back from a 24-0 Texans lead in the Divisional round of the playoffs and a 17-7 Titans lead in the conference championship game. With San Francisco’s seemingly indestructible defense, there may be a drought in comeback season for the Chiefs. 

How Can The 49ers Win?

Jimmy Garoppolo has to show up for work on Sunday. There’s no room for errors and inconsistencies against Kansas City defensive end Frank Clark, who managed to stop the unstoppable, Derrick Henry. Not even the Houston Houdini, Deshaun Watson, could escape getting sacked three times by Frank Clark in the Divisional Round.

The 49ers defense has Super Bowl veterans and rookies that have to find ways to stop Mahomes magic. Pepsi’s Rookie of the Year, Nick Bosa has to make a big statement in his first game against Patrick Mahomes and his first trip to the Super Bowl, while veteran Richard Sherman has to do what his former teammates say he does best, which is “show up” in big games.

So, Who Should You Pick?

I have no idea. Ask me on Sunday.