• Brock Purdy is not playing mistake-free football: Purdy has just one interception in the playoffs despite making three turnover-worthy plays across two playoff games.
• The skill-position players are elite: The 49ers can beat opponents in multiple ways through four key players at the offensive skill positions.
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Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes
The San Francisco 49ers entered the playoffs as the favorite to come out of the NFC. They got there in the end but made hard work of it in come-from-behind wins over the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions.
Here are five things we’ve learned about them on their run to Super Bowl 58.
Brock Purdy has gotten away with some mistakes
One of the most debated players in the NFL this season, Brock Purdy has made his share of big plays for the 49ers and has five big-time throws through two playoff games. He has also gotten away with some mistakes, with only one of his three turnover-worthy plays in the playoffs resulting in an interception. The 49ers will hope they don’t have to rely on dropped interceptions in the Super Bowl and need Purdy to take care of the ball.
There is strength in numbers at the 49ers' skill positions
San Francisco is not short on playmakers. The team has at least four who can be the featured player on offense in a particular game. Tight end George Kittle led the position with an average of 2.22 yards per route run in the regular season, and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk was one of just three players at the position to average more than 3.00 yards per route run. Then there is Deebo Samuel, whose 25 missed tackles forced after the catch ranked second. And don't forget about the NFL’s 2023 rushing yardage leader, Christian McCaffrey, who set a career high with a 90.6 PFF rushing grade this season.
San Francisco's linebackers can be an X-factor
With how good Chiefs’ tight end Travis Kelce has been this postseason, the 49ers will need to stay disciplined in the middle of the field. Thankfully, they boast one of the best linebacker pairings in football, with Fred Warner ranking second on the team in PFF coverage grade (84.9) in 2023. Dre Greenlaw has played some of his best football of the season in the playoffs, recording a pair of interceptions and allowing only 71 yards in coverage in two playoff games.
Difference-makers on the defensive line
San Francisco's talented roster also includes multiple standouts on the defensive line. Edge defender Nick Bosa has had a tremendous season, racking up 110 quarterback pressures and earning a 92.6 PFF pass-rushing grade in the regular season and playoffs. Javon Hargrave and Arik Armstead have been forces on the interior, too, with both racking up more than 50 pressures and producing 85.0-plus PFF pass-rushing grades through the postseason.
The third cornerback spot could be an issue
The Chiefs have gone big personnel-wise this postseason, but if they want to create a mismatch in the Super Bowl, they will need to force the 49ers into nickel packages and get third cornerback Ambry Thomas onto the field. He has a poor 29.4 PFF grade this postseason, having allowed seven catches on nine targets for 113 yards.
Thomas has generally been the weak spot in the coverage unit, allowing a catch on 70.8% of the passes thrown into his primary coverage this season.
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