Offensive Line
This one is an interesting conversation because the 49ers very clearly have the best single offensive linemen in left tackle Trent Williams. Williams, 35, is aging like a fine wine and still has elite athletic ability. According to PFF, he only trails Detroit Lions left tackle Penei Sewell in overall rating for offensive tackles.
Tackles, and specifically left tackle, is widely regarded as the most important position along the offensive line, and the 49ers have the edge there. However, San Francisco’s right tackle is a complete liability. Looking at PFF’s pass-blocking grade, Colton McKivitz is the 65th-ranked tackle. McKivitz has allowed 47 pressures and nine sacks on the season.
Most would regard the Chiefs' tackles as the liability of the offensive line. In pass blocking grade left tackle Donovan Smith ranks 45th and right tackle Jawaan Taylor ranks 52nd. Taylor’s struggles have been well documented though, as he leads the league with 20 penalties. Taylor has also allowed 47 pressures, but they have only resulted in five sacks allowed. Smith has only played in 12 games this season but has only allowed two sacks.
San Francisco also has an elite right guard in Jon Feliciano. He is a top-five guard in overall rating, but Chiefs right guard Trey Smith is not too far behind him. The Chiefs also have All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney, but he is questionable at best to suit up for the Super Bowl. Fifth-year guard Nick Allegretti is an admirable backup, though. The 49ers left guard grades poorly as the 53rd-rated guard in the NFL.
That brings us to the center position, where the Chiefs have a clear edge. Creed Humphrey already has a second-team all-pro and two Pro Bowl nods to his name. PFF has him as the fourth-rated center, while San Francisco’s center, Jake Brendel is the 18th-rated.
The Chiefs offensive line is on a hot streak thus far through the playoffs, only allowing two sacks as a unit through three games, one of which Mahomes took on purpose to keep the clock ticking. The 49ers have only allowed three themselves, however, but this San Francisco is not what it once was. They have allowed three in two games whereas the Chiefs have only allowed two in three games.
Kansas City has the edge along the three interior positions but San Francisco by far has the most dominant player to go along with having the biggest liability in pass protection of the whole group. Given where the tackle play has been most of the season for Kansas City, this one is about as close as it gets. With the dominance of the Chiefs' interior and the good tackle play in the postseason, I will give it to Kansas City.