Once upon a time, the NFL was three yards and a cloud of dust. Below is Bob Griese’s passing statistics in the Miami Dolphins’ victory in Super Bowl VIII in 1974:
7 passes attempted, 6 completed for 74 yards
Here are Jimmy Garoppolo’s passing stats for the victorious San Francisco 49ers in today’s NFC Championship Game:
8 passes attempted, 6 completed for 77 yards
Here are the Niners’ rushing statistics for the game:
42 carries, 285 yards rushing, 220 by Raheem Mostert.
After the game, Niner coach Kyle Shanahan was asked why the Niners ran the ball so much. His answer was articulate in its simplicity: “Because it was working.”
The Niners will face the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl, and they will have their hands full with quarterback Patrick Mahomes and an offense that had little trouble wiping out double-digit deficits in both of its playoff games. I wouldn’t be surprised, though, to see Shanahan channel his inner Don Shula one more time, especially if he can get pressure on Mahomes like he did on Kirk Cousins and Aaron Rodgers. If not, he can always break glass and put the ball in the hands of Jimmy G.
Expect a good game. Enjoy the show.
– Chuck Strom
