San Francisco’s running game on Sunday could be the difference. It’s got unusual ability to gobble up big yards on the ground, and it does so despite having a relatively immobile quarterback.

If we set aside quarterbacks and focus just on running backs, in fact, the 49ers had the best running attack in the year. That is, set aside Lamar Jackson, and San Francisco ran for more yards than Baltimore. The 49ers running backs combined for 2,051 rushing yards.

In the last 10 years, only 10 teams have had running backs who’ve combined for more rushing yards. A cynic might fairly point out that exactly none of those teams won Super Bowls – none of the last 29 teams to run for over 1,900 yards (with running backs) even played in one.

But the 49ers have been able to pulverize opponents at times with that running game, usually with Raheem Mostert leading the way. Kansas City, meanwhile, had a bottom-10 run defense in the regular season.

RUSHING BY RUNNING BACKS (last 10 years)
YearTeamAttYardsAvgTD
2010Kansas City5002,4164.812
2011Houston5092,3464.616
2014Dallas4722,2874.816
2012Minnesota4012,2755.713
2010NY Giants4432,1314.817
2012Kansas City4412,1134.88
2018Seattle4512,0924.615
2012New England4852,0914.321
2012Houston4802,0834.318
2012Seattle4302,0764.812
2019San Francisco4272,0514.819
2013New England4352,0354.719
2010Houston3962,0245.120
2013Philadelphia4002,0195.014
2011New Orleans4022,0175.015
2017New Orleans3952,0155.121
2019Minnesota4292,0024.717
2013Buffalo4561,9994.412
2016Dallas4261,9974.718
2010Oakland4221,9674.716
2019Baltimore3931,9545.014
2015Tampa Bay4011,9494.96
2016Buffalo3821,9485.123
2010Jacksonville4201,9474.69
2014Baltimore4021,9364.814
2014Houston4741,9314.110
2017Jacksonville4641,9284.216
2010NY Jets4561,9264.29
2011Denver4101,9014.65
2012Buffalo3781,9005.010

—Ian Allan