Santa Clara— Nick Bosa summarized the Kansas City Chiefs' offensive tackles on Thursday. On Feb. 11, Bosa will play left tackle Donovan Smith and right tackle Jawaan Taylor in Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. “They hold a lot,” Bosa added.
In 20 regular-season and playoff games this season, Taylor was called for 23 infractions, including eight holding penalties. He had eight incorrect starts. Smith was punished seven times for holding in 15 games.
How much referee Bill Vinovich lets the Chiefs' offensive lineman get away with might determine the NFL's greatest team this season.
Four years ago, Vinovich was the lead official in Super Bowl LIV, and the 49ers believe Patrick Mahomes had enough time to throw because then-Kansas City left tackle Eric Fisher got away with holding Bosa on a crucial third-and-15 play in the fourth quarter.
Bosa was questioned Thursday if he was held on Mahomes' 44-yard throw to Tyreek Hill. “Uh, I don't think they had the back view,” Bosa remarked. But I'm sure. It’s Eric Fisher.”
Bosa went an inside route off the play and seemed ready to pressure and maybe sack Mahomes. Fisher hooked Bosa into traffic in the center of the line with his right arm over his chest.
Mahomes had time and velocity to throw the ball deep as 49ers defensive lineman DeForest Buckner hit him. Kansas City took the third-and-15 play and scored four plays later to get within 20-17 with 6:13 left.
The Chiefs scored to go up less than four minutes after forcing a three-and-out. With the Super Bowl game, the 49ers and Bosa want to highlight the Chiefs' penalty habit.
STAY TURNED FOR DEVELOPMENT