Bashaud Breeland was the unsung hero of Super Bowl LIV
Kansas City Chiefs Cornerback Bashaud Breeland (21) celebrates his interception with safety Jordan Lucas (24) and cornerback Charvarius Ward (35) during the Super Bowl. (Photo by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire)
February 3rd, 2020
Much of the talk since the Super Bowl ended has circled around game MVP Patrick Mahomes and running back Damien Williams. Many believe Williams deserved MVP award, but there's another player not getting the credit he deserves.
Cornerback Bashaud Breeland made a number of huge plays that helped lead the Chiefs to a Super Bowl title. The Chiefs would not have won the game without him.
Big-time plays
It all started on the first drive of the game for the 49ers. The Niners were pushing the ball down field with ease, with a solid mix of run and pass plays. It was second-and-8 at the Kansas City 23-yard line when the Niners tried to run a screen pass for Deebo Samuel, who already made two significant plays out in space.
Breeland broke through two blocks to make a massive stop in the backfield for a 2-yard loss. This created a third-and-long situation for the 49ers, who eventually settled for a field goal on a promising drive.
I’ve been told all god damn year that George Kittle is the best blocking TE anyone has ever thought of ever being. First significant play of the Super Bowl and Bashaud Breeland clowns him on a screen pass? pic.twitter.com/nfgsPAPImA
— Cody Sutton (@codyjsutton) February 2, 2020
On the next possession, Breeland made another tackle for loss on a set play for Samuel to make moves in space.
Then came one of the most important plays of the game—Breeland's sideline interception of Jimmy Garoppolo, who forced a throw under pressure. This led to a Chiefs field goal and a 10-3 lead early in the second quarter.
Bashaud Breeland with the INT.#ClemsonNFL x #SuperBowl
— #ClemsonNFL (@ClemsonPros) February 3, 2020
pic.twitter.com/BAfYj1of5Y
Overall Impact
Breeland had a much larger impact than those three plays. He finished the game with seven tackles, six solo tackles, two tackles for loss, a pass deflection, and an interception. Breeland led the team or tied for the team lead in those categories.
If there was a defensive MVP award, there is no doubt Breeland would have won.
If this holds, case can be made for Bashaud Breeland (Allendale-Fairfax HS, Clemson) of @chiefs as MVP: interception, 2 TFLs, team-leading 7 tackles, 1 PBU in shutting down a high-power offense #SuperBowl
— @sapakoff (@Sapakoff) February 3, 2020
Breeland made a number of plays that kept this game within reach for Kansas City.
Who knows what would have happened without Breeland's influence? If San Francisco scored touchdowns on those two key first-half drives, the Chiefs may not have been able to mount their comeback in time.
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