San Francisco 49ers -2 vs. Kansas City Chiefs (Sunday 6:30 PM EST on CBS)

I wouldn’t be surprised if Super Bowl LVIII went to overtime. That’s how close these two teams are to each other. On the one side, you have the dynamic 49ers offense led by Christian McCaffrey and on the other, you have the great Patrick Mahomes. These two stars are the headline but both of these teams are much more than that.

This is perhaps the best defense the Chiefs have had under Mahomes and Andy Reid. They finished 2nd in the league allowing just 17.3 points per game. The Chiefs also finished 2nd in total yards per game at 289.8 right behind the Baltimore Ravens. DC Steve Spagnuolo deserves his flowers as he has become one of the best defensive minds in the NFL today.

Speaking of defense the 49ers are right behind the Chiefs in terms of defensive rankings. They have studs all across their d-line but the heart of this defense is the linebackers. Dre Greenlaw and Fred Warner are two of the best in the business at their position and they will have their hands full with Mahomes on Sunday. In order to win, the 49ers will need to force some mistakes from Mahomes which seems almost impossible at this point.

It may seem cliche but this game will be won in the trenches. Specifically the 49ers o-line vs. the Chiefs d-line. The Chiefs line is of course anchored by Chris Jones but the rest of the unit is underrated. As a unit, the Chiefs defense was 2nd in pressures at 27.8% and 2nd in sacks at 57. The Chiefs however will be without Charles Omenihu who recently went on IR. Omenihu is a rising star who will be missed.

The 49ers 0-line is led by future Hall of Famer Trent Williams. Williams and company will need to be at the top of their game to limit the pressures on quarterback Brock Purdy. This is where the mastery of Kyle Shanahan’s run game comes into play. There is no one better in the NFL at scheming the run and l expect them to stick to it all game long.

As stated earlier this is one of the toughest Super Bowls to predict. These two teams are about as close as you can get. I believe in the end the 49ers will narrowly escape with a close win and give Shanahan his first Lombardi trophy.

Game Pick: 49ers 24- Chiefs 21

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Purdy led the 49ers to the NFC Championship game before losing to the Philadelphia Eagles. Purdy coincidentally suffered a significant shoulder injury in that game. Is Purdy back to full health and ready to lead San Francisco on a title run? Find out below as we offer a preview and record prediction for the 2023-2024 season.

The Good

For a handful of years, Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers deployed a running-back-by-committee approach. Shanahan’s zone-running style offense relies heavily on the play-action game to be successful. While it worked for the most part San Francisco never had a game-breaker in the backfield. That all changed last year when the 49ers traded for Christian McCaffrey. The trade signified a change in philosophy for Shanahan and it showed the front office was all in on winning a Super Bowl.

While it didn’t quite go as planned it was still a major success bringing in McCaffrey. There are now no limitations with what this offense can run thanks to McCaffrey’s versatility. The 49ers have an upper-echelon offensive line anchored by Trent Williams and weapons on the outside. I see no reason why this can’t be one of the best offenses in the league this season.

The Bad

One of the main storylines heading into this season is the absence of Nick Bosa. Bosa wants a new contract but so far the 49ers front office hasn’t budged. This is the type of off-the-field issue that could linger and needs to be resolved for the 49ers to have success. Bosa is way too valuable to this defense and without him, they will start to show cracks. My hope is that the two sides reach a last minute deal and Bosa is ready week 1.

The Prediction

Despite the ongoing Bosa issue I still expect the 49ers to win the NFC West. There is just too much talent on this roster and I expect Bosa will eventually return in the near future.

2023 Record: (12-5 1st in the Division)

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By: Jake Rajala

The San Francisco 49ers exhibit a big-foot-like left tackle in Trent Williams. The former Washington profile has been a pillar of dominance over the past decade. The bruising OL impressively made his ninth-straight Pro Bowl last season. In 2021, he was proudly able to make his first first-team All-Pro nod. PFF also handed Williams an unusually potent 97.8 grade for his performance.

Of course, he spews out charisma along with talent.

With that said, there is a fascinating, pivotal question surrounding Williams entering the 2022 season: Is Trent Williams a future Hall of Famer?

I believe it would be wise to compare Williams’s resume to the career output of the Dallas Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith — who will certainly be cast into football heaven at some point in the future. Well, the Cowboys unearthly talented, yet injury-prone LT has made eight Pro Bowl selections and garnered two first-team All-Pro nods in his career. Furthermore, Smith was named to the 2010 NFL all-decade team. Of course, Smith has scooped up one more first-team All-Pro selection in his career.

It should be noted that each OT has had similar flaws – such as injury issues. Since 2016 – Smith has missed a whopping 32 games! Meanwhile, the very scary 49ers LT has sadly been MIA for 17 games since 2016.

The optimistic part for each OT is that they’re still competing and pushing for a Super Bowl ring. I expect each OT to pick up at least a couple of more Pro Bowl nods, too.

Ultimately, I undoubtedly believe Smith’s resume should make Williams feel positive about his chances of landing in Canton. I honestly forsee Williams, who is on an excellent path with the Kyle Shanahan-led 49ers, to join Smith as first-ballot HOFers in the future.

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By: Jake Rajala

The San Francisco 49ers are recognized for having elite offensive weapons like Deebo Samuel and George Kittle. With that said, I believe they have a terrifying, hulk-like profile on their offensive line that is a bit in the shadow of the 49ers receiving threats: Trent Williams. He is 100% the anchor on an OL unit that was ranked as the 14th best OL by PFF.

Their behemoth left tackle Trent Williams has made the Pro Bowl in each of the past nine seasons. Williams is also coming off his first All-Pro season. His efforts were noticed quite well in the football community, as PFF awarded him a 98.3 grade — which was the highest grade for an OT and the highest grade for any player. He is still human with flaws, as he hasn’t played a full season since 2013.

The other 49ers OT, Mike McGlinchey, is certainly less popular than Williams. Jose Sanchez â…¢ from All 49ers believes that McGlinchey faces the most pressure in 2022. McGlinchey earned a 69.8 grade by PFF in the eight games that he played. It’s safe to say that the RT’s production in 2021 wasn’t an improvement from his 2020 season — which unveiled a 58.3 grade by PFF. Williams signed a six-year contract worth $138.06 million with the 49ers in the 2021 off-season.

The 49ers x-factor on the offensive line is easily their center Jake Brendel. Shanny has a ton of confidence in him as the starting center. Per 49ers Web Zone, Shanahan stated, “Jake made our team last year as a backup center and if you do that, you better believe that all backup guys have the ability to start. And then when they get that opportunity, how long can they do it for? But we had a lot of confidence in Jake last year to make the team. And if Mack would have ever missed a game or something, we wouldn’t have hesitated and we would have gone into that game very confident with him”. The 29-year-old that shares the same hometown (Madison, WI) with George Kittle should shine with the best opportunity in his career.

It will be crucial that the 49ers OL can stay healthy and excel in pass protection moving forward. The beef upfront needs to help out their second-quarterback Trey Lance as much as possible.

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By: Ian Evans

The Buccaneers have had an outstanding season thus far as they have made it to the NFC Championship game. Their success does come off the brilliant play of Tom Brady, the adaptability of head coach Bruce Arians and offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich, as well as a stout defense. The Bucs have also signed free agents to one-year deals who have also contributed to the teams’ success as well.

In the offseason, the Buccaneers signed Rob Gronkowski, Leonard Fournette, and LeSean McCoy to one-year deals. They also signed Antonio Brown to a one-year deal during Week 8 of the regular season. With many players’ deals ending after the season concludes, it can be said that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have an extremely important offseason ahead of them.

First and foremost they have to prioritize resigning their unrestricted free agents Shaquill Barrett, Lavonte David, Rob Gronkowski, Steve McLendon, and Ndamukong Suh. Next, they have to decide which one-year free agents they are willing to let go and which ones are a critical asset to the teams’ future. And finally, Tampa Bay must adhere to their team’s needs on both sides of the ball.

One of the glaring weaknesses the Buccaneers bust attend to in the offseason is the offensive line as Tampa Bay is tied for fourth in sacks allowed with 48. On defense, the Buccaneers allowed 246.6 yards per game during the regular season which was 21^st in the league, so it’s safe to say that they could look at free agents that can help their pass defense.

The Buccaneers are one of the most complete teams in the league, but this offseason poses many challenges for them. Can they retain their unrestricted free agents while going after highly coveted free agents? Which free agents help them stay as lethal as they are? With all of this being said, here are five free-agent targets for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

1. Trent Williams

Trent Williams did not play a single snap in 2019. However, in his return in 2020, he has solidified himself as one of the best offensive linemen in the league. In his first year with a new team, Willaims has subtly regained his All-Pro form in San Francisco. Williams is one of those offensive tackles who can work in multiple schemes, adapt to different offenses, and bolster an offensive line in the rushing and passing attack.

The Buccaneers need to bolster their offensive line who has allowed far too many sacks on the 43-year-old quarterback Tom Brady. Williams can help in that department as he has only allowed only four sacks (T-19^th) and has been penalized ten times (4^th). How good is Trent Williams on the offensive front? At one point in his career, he only allowed one sack in 867 blocking attempts. That’s efficiency at its finest.

Next year Trent Williams will be 33 years old, but he is one of those tackles who has shown that he is capable of being the next outstanding left tackle who can play in well into their 30s at a high level. If the Buccaneers are serious about protecting Tom Brady and their future quarterbacks, they should strongly consider signing Trent Williams. The only problem with targeting Williams is that he will most likely resign with San Francisco. However, if the Buccaneers can match his contract, don’t be surprised if he takes his talents to Florida.

2. Yannick Ngakoue

If Shaq Barrett or Ndamukong Suh does decide to find another team to continue his career with, Tampa Bay would need to consider signing another defensive lineman stud to take his place. Suh, 34, could surely be replaced with younger and more athletic talent upfront. Enter Yannick Ngakoue. Ngakoue, 25, is one of those special edge rushers who can generate reliable pressure on the quarterback.

Ngakoue has had a solid season in 2020 as he played for the Minnesota Vikings and was later traded to the Baltimore Ravens. He garnered 23 solo tackles, four forced fumbles, eight sacks, and 11 quarterback hits. He only seven tackles for loss, but those numbers will increase as his career advances. As an unrestricted free agent, he could benefit from playing with linebackers and defensive tackles who can take the attention off of him in the pass rush and rush defense.

Tampa Bay is a team that can provide Ngakoue with that luxury. Imagine a defense with William Gholston, Lavonte David, Jason Pierre-Paul, and Devin White taking attention off of Yannick Ngakoue. That’s a scary sight for opposing offensive lines and quarterbacks. If the Buccaneers want to add someone who fits their scheme and has an abundance of potential, they should target Ngakoue as a top target. This signing would make sense for both parties involved.

3. Joe Thuney

If the Buccaneers can’t land a tackle like Trent Williams, why not go for a guard highly coveted guard who has played with Tom Brady? Joe Thuney has been a starter for the New England Patriots ever since he was drafted, and has yet to miss a game in his 5-year tenure. That’s not only extremely consistent but highly impressive.

He struggled early in his career but quickly found his footing as he now ranks in the 86^th percentile in overall pass-blocking grade according to PFF. He has only allowed two sacks and was penalized three times in 2020. He has also played 980 snaps in 2020 which is 21^st in the league. Thuney is a durable guard who can bolster an offensive line significantly.

Thuney has developed into one of the best guards in the NFL and will be a sought-after guard in free agency. And for a Tampa Bay team that had inconsistencies protecting Tom Brady this season, Joe Thuney could be a huge help in that regard. Reuniting him with his former teammate Tom Brady could benefit both parties and their respective futures.

4. Anthony Harris

The Buccaneers have allowed far too many yards through the air this year and could look to bolster their pass defense. A part of that is due to Tampa Bay’s safeties Antoine Winfield Jr., (22) and Jordan Whitehead (23), who are both young and have less than 4 seasons under their belt. Both are only going to get better playing with a veteran defense but can also benefit from veteran leadership as well.

Anthony Harris has been one of the best safeties in football and steadily seen his playing time increase with the Minnesota Vikings. Harris’ ability to read route concepts as well as quarterbacks at the same time is remarkable as he is able to position himself to make plays.

In 2020, Harris put up a career-high in solo tackles (58), combined tackles (108), and tackles for loss (2). In his six-year career, Harris has nine interceptions, six of them coming in 2019. Although he had no interceptions in 2020, that is mainly due to his lockdown defense as his specialty is playing coverages instead of man defenses.

Harris could not only mentor Winfield Jr., and Whitehead, but he could also help a team that struggles in coverage defense. If Tampa Bay wants to prioritize limiting offenses in the passing game, Harris is a safety that should be discussed in the front office this offseason.

5. William Jackson III

After getting selected in the first round of the 2016 draft, William Jackson III tore his pectoral for his rookie season even started. Ever since then, Cincinnati has seen his production increase year after year and rewarded him with more playing time year after year. In 2020, Jackson III has garnered 43 solo tackles, one interception, and has allowed 36 receptions. Jackson III had surrendered completions on just 51.4% of the passes thrown his way this year.

William Jackson III is nearing the end of his rookie deal with the Cincinnati Bengals and could be poised for a solid deal. The Bengals have already invested in Trae Waynes so Jackson III could be headed to a new squad that needs help in man coverage in 2021. Enter the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Adding Jackson III to a cornerback group that consists of Carlton Davis, Sean Murphy-Bunting, and Jamel Dean could help enhance their man coverage. Jackson III could also come a little cheaper than most All-Pro safeties and cornerbacks so targeting him won’t be as big of a hassle as other unrestricted free agents. Jackson III could be an absolute steal of a signing if Tampa Bay is willing to target this young cornerback.

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