Think ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith is a San Francisco 49ers hater? Well, he is leaning toward picking the Niners to beat Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV.
Smith has made it clear all season that he doesn't have a whole lot of trust in quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo's ability to carry the 49ers. However, he believes in so many other aspects of the team that he finds it hard to bet against San Francisco in Sunday's game.
"I'm looking at the San Francisco 49ers, and I consider them the most balanced team throughout this season and throughout this postseason," Smith said on First Take.
Smith has criticized Garoppolo for most of the season and the playoffs. The quarterback's reduced workload in the postseason only seemed to validate Smith's doubts.
Still, none of that matters to the host.
"Why? Because that defensive line gets at you," Smith said. "That secondary gets at you. That running game has gotten at you. George Kittle has gotten at you. The play calling of Kyle Shanahan has gotten at you.
"And when you look at the totality of the San Francisco 49ers, on both side of the ball, it's not a situation where you're looking at Kansas City -- nobody thinks Kansas City is the best team. Anybody that thinks Kansas City is going to win, you believe it because of the greatness of Patrick Mahomes, and that quarterback, and how it can overcome things.
"When you look at San Francisco, you're looking at offensively, defensively, special teams. Somehow, someway, they can find a way to beat you. ... I have to admit, if I had to bet my money, I would be very scared to bet against San Francisco, and that's why I say that's where I'm leaning."
Smith went on to declare that he still doesn't believe in Garoppolo, but tries to convince watchers that he does like the quarterback. After that, he further explained why he feels the 49ers might have an edge in the Super Bowl LIV matchup.
"When they bring the heat, and they don't give you time to throw, it changes everything," Smith said. "The reason why I think San Francisco has an edge: they have the ability to get to Patrick Mahomes without blitzing.
"And if you're not blitzing, you've got more people in coverage. And I'm telling you, right now, if they get to him, it's a problem."