Cool stat shows why 49ers D-line could feast vs. Chiefs

San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Javon Hargrave. Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Incredible stat shows why 49ers D-line could feast vs. short-handed Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 2/9/24

The Kansas City Chiefs announced crushing yet expected news on Friday, officially ruling out All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney for Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers.

Losing Thuney for the second straight game with a pectoral injury is a massive blow for the Chiefs — and one the 49ers are in an excellent position to capitalize on.

According to Next Gen Stats, Pro Bowl defensive lineman Javon Hargrave has thrived lining up opposite the left guard, a spot backup Nick Allegretti will occupy Sunday along the Chiefs offensive line instead of Thuney.

Javon Hargrave has aligned at right interior defensive lineman on 92.8% of his defensive snaps this season (versus left guard), generating a league-leading 54 pressures from that alignment entering the Super Bowl (incl playoffs).#SuperBowlLVIII | #FTTB pic.twitter.com/Oy01uucksh
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) February 9, 2024

Thuney was a long shot to play in the Super Bowl after suffering an injury in the divisional round against the Buffalo Bills. He ramped up in an attempt to practice following the AFC title game, but ultimately, he lacked adequate strength to be ready for Sunday.

A five-year veteran, Allegretti started the AFC title game, his 17th career start and fourth in the postseason. Former lineman and NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger "didn't see a drop-off" with the 27-year-old playing in place of Thuney.

"I thought his play was that of starting quality," Baldinger said. "That's a credit to what they're doing in Kansas City."

While Allegretti may have passed the eye test, a deeper look at the stats shows a different side of the story. Allegretti received double-team help on 42 percent of pass-blocking snaps, 11.8 percent more than Thuney (30.2 percent) during the playoffs.

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