The San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs have a multitude of players who can impact the game in a positive way in Super Bowl LVIII. But some of them might fly a bit lower under the radar.
Call them either difference-makers or secret weapons or, in this case, X-factors.
Below are two players on each team — one on offense and one on defense –who could make momentum-shifting plays that put either the San Francisco 49ers or the Kansas City Chiefs over the top on Sunday.
If their names are being called frequently during the Super Bowl LVIII broadcast, that could determine which team is holding the Lombardi Trophy on Sunday night.
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Offense
San Francisco 49ers — Deebo Samuel
Samuel is hardly an unknown player. Plus, he’s fifth among Super Bowl oddsmakers to win the MVP award. But sometimes, the San Francisco 49ers can lull teams to sleep with a lot of Christian McCaffrey out of the backfield, Brandon Aiyuk on the outside, and George Kittle over the middle.
Then suddenly, the ball ends up in Samuel’s hands. There is no player in the NFL who runs with more explosion and purpose than Deebo Samuel, who will leave defenders strewn all over the field from broken tackles. He can be a weapon of mass destruction.
If it’s a Deebo game, meaning he’s heavily involved in the offense, it’s always a good day for the 49ers.
Related: Deebo Samuel of the San Francisco 49ers reveals unexpected inspiration behind football career
Kansas City Chiefs — Rashee Rice
Rice has become as much of a go-to target for Patrick Mahomes as Travis Kelce.
Just look at Rice’s numbers compared to Kelce in the playoffs. They closely mirror one another, although Kelce has three TDs to only one for Rice. Nevertheless, Rice needs to be a threat in order for Kelce and Mahomes to shine. He might be matched up with 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward, who’s one of the league’s best cover corners.
If Rice is able to make plays outside, Mahomes will be on his way to a third Super Bowl MVP performance.
Related: Travis Kelce vs. George Kittle: Who’s the better tight end in Super Bowl LVIII?
Defense
San Francisco 49ers — Dre Greenlaw
Greenlaw and Fred Warner form one of the best linebacking duos in the NFL. But Warner gets most of the attention, and deservedly so, as a first-team All-Pro and multiple invitee to the Pro Bowl.
All Greenlaw does is rattle just about every ball carrier with bone-jarring hits and make big plays all over the field, as he did with two interceptions of Green Bay’s Jordan Love in the 49ers’ divisional playoff victory.
Greenlaw is also among the game’s fastest linebackers who is capable of either covering tight end Travis Kelce or running down Patrick Mahomes and limiting his escapability. Greenlaw’s ability to close quickly will be a huge asset on Sunday.
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Kansas City Chiefs — George Karlaftis
The San Francisco 49ers need to keep All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones away from quarterback Brock Purdy. In doing so, the 49ers might need to employ two bodies on Jones so he won’t collapse the pocket. If that’s the case, someone else on the defensive line needs to be able to beat his man one-on-one and apply pressure.
The best candidate is Karlaftis, who tied Jones for the team lead with 10.5 sacks during the regular season. Karlaftis will likely be matched up with right tackle Colton McKivitz, a better option than if he were on the other side of the line against the 49ers’ All-Pro left tackle, Trent Williams.
Karlaftis, who sacked Lamar Jackson in the AFC Championship Game, is capable of beating McKivitz and making Brock Purdy rush his throws. And that could help the Chiefs produce another dominant defensive performance.