4 lessons SF 49ers learn from Buccaneers win in Super Bowl 55
By Peter Panacy
SF 49ers Lesson No. 3: A good offensive line is crucial
Tampa Bay had it. Kansas City didn’t.
The loss of left tackle Eric Fisher created a massive switcharoo for the Chiefs through the playoffs, and that was readily apparent throughout the Super Bowl. And while Kansas City can’t do much about the injury situation, the Buccaneers proved why having an upside offensive line was going to be a massive boost.
Keep in mind, Pro Football Focus ranked the Bucs O-line fifth best in the league at the end of the regular season, whereas the SF 49ers were ranked ninth and the Chiefs 11th.
The Niners, too, dealt with key injuries along their O-line throughout 2020 and even late in 2019. But one of the elements that stood out from Super Bowl 54 was how Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones dominated then-San Francisco right guard Mike Person throughout the game, including knocking down a key third-down pass attempt by Jimmy Garoppolo.
Jones and fellow Chiefs defensive lineman Frank Clark were hardly factors against Tampa Bay.
The SF 49ers face some tough O-line decisions this offseason, namely what to do about perennial Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams, who’ll enter free agency and figures to be a prime re-sign candidate.
But if the Super Bowl showed anything this year, one of the strongest aspects was having a good O-line goes a long way.