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5 reasons why the 49ers can win the Super Bowl

By Nicholas McGee

MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs 31-20 in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs 31-20 in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 19: Tevin Coleman #26 of the San Francisco 49ers is carted off the field after an injury in the first half against the Green Bay Packers during the NFC Championship game at Levi’s Stadium on January 19, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 19: Tevin Coleman #26 of the San Francisco 49ers is carted off the field after an injury in the first half against the Green Bay Packers during the NFC Championship game at Levi’s Stadium on January 19, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Why the 49ers can win the Super Bowl: A reversal in injury fortunes

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the Niners’ surge to the Super Bowl last season was that they came within minutes of the title despite suffering dreadful injury luck.

According to Football Outsiders’ Adjusted Games Lost metric, the 49ers were the sixth-most injured team in the NFL in 2019.

On offense, Kittle, Staley and right tackle Mike McGlinchey all missed time while center Weston Richburg ended the season on injured reserve.

Edge rusher Dee Ford was limited to 11 games as he battled knee issues. D.J. Jones, Ronald Blair and Jullian Taylor – all valuable contributors on a deep defensive line – finished the year on IR.

The decimation of that depth and Ford’s issues restricted the impact of Defensive Rookie of the Year Nick Bosa down the stretch.

San Francisco’s decision to trade All-Pro defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the Indianapolis Colts is expected to negatively influence the production of the defensive line in 2020.

It is not clear how quickly first-round pick Javon Kinlaw will be able to match what Buckner brought to the defensive interior, however, logic says the injury luck will regress to the mean and the 49ers should be able to count on more from Ford, Jones and Blair.

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The restoration of that defensive line depth may negate Buckner’s departure and, as Bosa continues to develop, opponents can anticipate the pass rush – crucial to the 2019 Super Bowl run – being similarly ferocious in 2020. Some fortune will be required but the defensive line again looks primed to be the foundation for a championship challenge.