The 49ers’ pass rush is arguably the league’s best. Even while battling injuries, the group remained a relentless force that held the Vikings to 10 points and the Packers to 20 in San Francisco’s two playoff games.
While it’s hard to imagine they hold the high-flying Chiefs offense to 20 points, a number quarterback Patrick Mahomes has failed to eclipse only once in his career, there’s a stat from ESPN Stats & Info that points to a distinct advantage for the 49ers.
They’ve racked up an NFL best 57 sacks in their 18 games so far. Filling up the stat sheet in the sack column has been a good indicator of Super Bowl success over the last 15 years.
The 49ers have an NFL-high 57 sacks this season (including playoffs).
They're the 7th team in the last 15 seasons to enter a Super Bowl with more than 55 sacks.
The previous 6 all won. pic.twitter.com/qGKk61Dph6
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 23, 2020
Perhaps the most impressive thing is the 49ers managed 57 sacks in 18 games despite a five game stretch at the end of the year where they managed just four sacks.
Arik Armstead led the team with 10.0 sacks. Nick Bosa had 9.0 in his rookie season, and DeForest Buckner followed up a strong 2018 campaign with 7.5 sacks this season. Dee Ford missed five games and still racked up 6.5, while while linebacker Fred Warner and now-injured defensive end Ronald Blair each posted 3.0 sacks.
Ford’s return has been massive for the 49ers’ defensive front. They struggled badly without him. Prior to his Week 11 injury, San Francisco had 39 sacks in 10 games. After he went down with a hamstring injury that virtually forced him out of the last six contests, the 49ers tallied only nine sacks, five of which came Week 12 vs. Green Bay.
The additional week off before the Super Bowl will be key too. A fully healthy 49ers defensive line might be enough to help slow down Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes when he gets to the edges and makes off schedule throws on the run.
San Francisco was susceptible to getting beat on plays like that when Ford was out and their depth lacked. Now they’ll be rested and at nearly full strength. If they spearhead a strong defensive effort Sunday, the 49ers should take home their sixth Lombardi Trophy.