Before we make our Super Bowl LVIII pick later this week let’s first preview the game.

Early Line

As of today, the early line for Super Bowl LVIII is the 49ers -2. This is pretty much where I expect it to be although it could get down to San Francisco -1 by game time. I am expecting a close game and it looks like the sharks are expecting the same.

The current over/under is at 47.5 but I could see this number also dropping before game time. This should be a relatively low-scoring game with two stellar defenses going at it. I don’t expect a shootout like we saw last year with the Chiefs winning 38-35 over the Eagles.

Brock Purdy vs. Patrick Mahomes

The quarterback matchup in this game will be fascinating to watch. Patrick Mahomes is once again playing excellent playoff football. His numbers haven’t been off the charts but he has played turnover-free football thus far and is using his legs for timely runs. This 49ers defense will present another test for Mahomes and the Chiefs but they have proved they are up for the challenge.

Meanwhile, in San Francisco all eyes will be on Brock Purdy. Purdy has been the hot topic of discussion this past week with some calling him just a game manager. Purdy is much more than that if you dive more into his game. He led the league in quarterback rating in the regular season at 113.0 and also was a league leader in yards per attempt at 9.6. Sure this 49ers offense is loaded with talent but Purdy has shown he can carry this team if needed.

Andy Reid vs. Kyle Shanahan

On the coaching side of things, this could very well be the last game that Andy Reid coaches. Reid flirted with retiring after last season but ultimately decided to return. If the Chiefs win again I wouldn’t be shocked if Reid decides to hang it up ending his Hall of Fame coaching career.

Kyle Shanahan however, is just getting started in his coaching career. At 44, this will be Shanahan’s 3rd appearance in a Super Bowl and second as a head coach. We all remember the 28-3 meltdown in Atlanta when Shanahan was OC but don’t forget the 49ers were up 20-10 in Super Bowl LIV before collapsing in the 4th quarter. If Shanahan can finally seal the deal and win his first Lombardi it will be the first of many.

Key Injuries to Watch

For the most part, both the Chiefs and the 49ers are coming into Super Bowl LVIII fairly healthy but there are some injuries to monitor. Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco is dealing with toe and ankle injuries but the good news is he is off the injury report. Star Chiefs defensive end Chris Jones is dealing with a quad injury that has him limited on the practice reports. Jones also has no game status this week which is huge for the Chiefs as they will need him.

In San Francisco, tight end George Kittle is dealing with a toe injury that had him listed as DNP this past week. It looks like Kittle will go but it’s worth monitoring his status this week. 49ers DE Arik Armstead also showed up on the injury report last week with knee and foot injuries. It looks as if these injuries are not serious and he should also be good to go as well.

The post Super Bowl LVIII Preview appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Jake Rajala

The San Francisco 49ers didn’t have Robert Saleh last season, but they still featured a very superb defense. The 49ers ranked sixth in passing yards allowed, seventh in rushing yards allowed, fifth in sacks, and fifth in points allowed per game.

The 49ers defense was led by the fearless pass rusher Nick Bosa, who ousted 15.5 sacks, 21 TFLs, four forced fumbles, and 32 QB hits. PFF gave Bosa an 88.3 grade for his 2021 performance. It’s safe to say that the younger Bosa brother will seek a hefty contract extension after a potential DPOY-winning season in 2022.

The 49ers defense will also lean on Arik Armstead, Fred Warner, and Charvarius Ward to be star profiles next season. Armstead had 10 sacks in 2019 and six sacks last season, but he is also a huge force against the run. Warner was an All-Pro in 2020 and he was still a stud/Pro Bowl snub last season – as he obtained 137 combined tackles, four pass deflections, one forced fumble, and seven tackles for loss. It was clear that their front seven was quite stingy last season, but they could have certainly benefited from CB help. Well, they will anticipate Ward being a force in his first season in the Bay area. He recorded 2 interceptions, 10 pass deflections, and scored a 65.7 grade by PFF in 2021.

With that enunciated, the ultimate question is: can the 49ers defense that sharped its edges this off-season be the NFL’s top defense next season?

I honestly peg the Rams defense, the Saints defense and the Bills defense as the best three defenses next season. The Rams GM Les Snead managed to get Bobby Wagner in the same front seven as a Top-3 defensive player of all time in Aaron Donald. I love the Saints addition of Tyrann Mathieu and I also believe Marcus Davenport could be an All-Pro player if he stays healthy. Of course, the Bills defense (which ranked number one last season) should witness lots of glory from the future Hall of Famer Von Miller.

I really like the 49ers direction on defense with an ascending hulk-like pass rusher in Bosa and their slightly more talented secondary (which had growing pains last season) than in 2021. The 49ers have a Top-3 front seven in my opinion, but their secondary isn’t quite up to speed. They should be a Top-8 defense next season and potentially a Top-5 defense, but I’m not convinced they can be the NFL’s top defense in 2022.

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