Super Bowl preview Fantasy POV: 49ers have superior running game
The rule in San Francisco is that everyone on the offense blocks and it’s the effective blocking schemes and proficiency of their running backs that will make the 49ers superior to the Kansas City Chiefs when running the ball in Super Bowl LIV (54).
The San Francisco 49ers entered the postseason as the No. 2 rushing team in fantasy football. The Chiefs have had the “joy” of playing the top three running teams in the NFL, having beaten the Tennessee Titans and Houston Texans in AFC playoff games and now facing the 49ers in the Super Bowl.
San Francisco uses a combination of three running backs in their rushing game. Their leading rusher is Raheem Mostert, who burned the Green Bay Packers for 220 yards rushing and four touchdowns in the 49ers’ 37-20 NFL Championship victory. Mostert was so effective running the ball against the Packers that San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garopollo only attempted 8 passes in the game. This make Mostert the safer back for DFS.
Former Atlanta Falcon Tevin Coleman is the 49ers’ No. 2 back. The week before Mostert turned Green Bay’s running defense inside out, Coleman ran for 105 yards and 2 touchdowns against the Vikings. Though he was injured in the NFC Championship game, Coleman intends to play in Sunday’s Super Bowl.
The third running back is Matt Breida who not only spells Coleman and Mostert when they need to rest during a game,but also is on the field for a certain set of plays designed for him. Breida has been used sparingly in the postseason, but had 120 carries for 621 yards rushing and one touchdown during the regular season.
Where would Kansas City be without running back Damien Williams? Injuries to LeSean McCoy and Darrell Williams gave the 5-11, 224-pound running back the chance to be the featured back in the Chiefs offense.
Williams has only 92 yards rushing in two playoff games, but they’ve been valuable yards. The Chiefs have been able to run the ball just enough to set up certain play-action passes to their receivers. In Kansas City, effective pass completions set up the run game.
As of Wednesday morning, there is no word on whether LeSean McCoy will play in Super Bowl LIV (54) McCoy has been on the inactive list for the last two games.
ADVANTAGE – San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco has been impressive in getting their running game going in the playoff games prior to the Super Bowl. In fantasy football, the Chiefs defense against the run is average. If the 49ers are to win super Bowl LIV (54), they will need the dominating running game and defense to control the tempo and the time of possession.
NEXT UP – A fantasy football evaluation of San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garopollo and Kansas City QB Patrick Mahomes.