In the lead-up to Super Bowl LVIII, the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs have showcased their defensive prowess, setting the stage for a highly anticipated showdown. The 49ers, having allowed 159 rushing yards and 5.6 yards per carry in playoff victories against the Packers and Lions, recognize the need for improvement against the Chiefs' offense. Conversely, the Chiefs' defense has been formidable, allowing only 13.7 points per game (PPG) in the playoffs, a statistic only surpassed by Super Bowl-winning defenses of the Ravens in 2000, the Buccaneers in 2002, and the Seahawks in 2013. The Chiefs, with their current postseason performance, have the opportunity to join an elite group of teams that have won the Super Bowl while allowing less than 28 points in every game, a feat achieved by only five teams previously. This defensive strength is underscored by their postseason average of 13.6 PPG allowed, setting a challenging target for the 49ers, who have a point total expectation of 23.5 for the Super Bowl. The 2023 Chiefs are also noted for making the Super Bowl despite averaging less than 22 points per game and allowing more than 17 points per game, a rare occurrence in the history of the championship. Before the Super Bowl, the 49ers had given up 318 yards rushing to the Packers and Lions.
Only teams to win Super Bowl allowing less than 28 points in every game: 2023 Chiefs 21 games 2002 Bucs 19 1973 Dolphins 17 1972 Dolphins 17 1969 Chiefs 17 1967 Packers 17
Before today, the 49ers gave up 318 yard rushing to the Packers and Lions. Today, they've given up 37 yards to the Chiefs, who have only averaged 3.4 yards a carry. #SuperBowl
Only teams to win Super Bowl allowing less than 28 points in every game: 2002 Bucs 19 games 1973 Dolphins 17 1972 Dolphins 17 1969 Chiefs 17 1967 Packers 17 (Chiefs can join that list by doing it in their 21st game in Super Bowl)
The Chiefs defense has allowed 13.6 points per game in the postseason. 😳 49ers point total for Super Bowl LVIII: 23.5 ↕️ https://t.co/Ycceob5gyx
No team has ever won the Super Bowl when averaging less than 22 points per game and allowing more than 17 points per game. The 2023 Chiefs are just the 3rd team to make the Super Bowl with those metrics, joining the 2003 Panthers and 1979 Rams.
The Chiefs have allowed 13.7 PPG in the playoffs. 🛡️ The only Super Bowl-winning defenses since 2000 to allow less PPG: Ravens in 2000 (5.7) Bucs in 2002 (12.3) Seahawks in 2013 (13.3) https://t.co/KDItWuhkI7
In playoff wins against the Packers and Lions, the 49ers allowed 159 rushing yards and 5.6 yards per carry. San Francisco know its defense must be much better against the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII https://t.co/qJmKvjG5FQ