Super Bowl LIV Full Preview And Prediction

The San Francisco 49ers are the team no one saw coming this season. Coming off of a 4-12 season in which franchise quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo only played three games, the Niners didn't exactly seem like a Super Bowl threat.

Sure, there was reason for optimism. Nick Bosa was a highly touted pick in the draft who, combined with the additions of Kwon Alexander and former Kansas City Chiefs star Dee Ford, looked to lead a solid defensive unit. On top of that, George Kittle's breakout 2018 and a healthy Garopplo had the potential for a strong pairing to anchor the offense.

They looked like a good team, but one that was going to have a hard time breaking out of an NFC West division which touted both Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks along with an Los Angeles Rams team looking for another crack at the Lombardi Trophy.

Eight straight wins later, and all of that was getting hard to remember.

An absolutely lethal run game emerged, utilizing the size and power of Kittle and fullback Kyle Juszcyzk to plow away defenders and let the teams three lead backs run wild. Bosa also more than lived up to the hype, with 9 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries highlighing a season virtually guaranteed to earn him Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. Throw in a comeback year for Richard Sherman, and San Francisco found itself with the top seed in the NFC entering the playoffs.

It was almost elementary from there, as the Niners gave up a scant 147 yards to the Minnesota Vikings in the divisonal round before running all over the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship to the tune of 285 rushing yards.

In spite of any doubt to open the season, the San Francisco 49ers are now clearly the top team in the NFC, and maybe even the entire NFL this season. Only time will tell if they can carry their momentum all the way to the record books in Super Bowl LIV though.