Both teams find themselves playing for a Lombardi Trophy, in part, because of a great secondary.
In a Super Bowl with storylines all over the place, it's been a bit lost that Charvarius Ward will be on the opposite side of the Super Bowl LIV matchup. He left the Chiefs and wound up signing with the Niners and has had the best season of his career this year.
Quarterbacks have a 64.5 passer rating when targeting him, and he doubled his career interception figure with five picks this year.
He's the star of the group, but the whole unit has put together a strong campaign. It was fourth in passer rating allowed at just 79.7 on the season. It led the league in interceptions with 22 and had 84 pass breakups.
It will make life difficult for the Chiefs passing game.
The 49ers receivers aren't in for a picnic either. Kansas City coordinator Steve Spagnuolo gives his defensive backs a difficult assignment, often playing man in a blitz-heavy scheme, and they do a great job with it.
Trent McDuffie was an All-Pro slot cornerback, but he can also play on the outside. He ranked fourth among all cornerbacks graded by PFF. L'Jarius Sneed has a strong argument as Kansas City's best defensive back, though.
According to Next Gen Stats, Sneed lined up against A.J. Brown, DJ Moore, Stefon Diggs and Justin Jefferson on 65 percent or more of their routes in games this season and allowed just one reception to each.
The degree of difficulty within the Chiefs scheme gives them the slight nod over a very talented 49ers secondary.
Verdict: Chiefs
