The San Francisco 49ers had key members of their team speak with the media about the upcoming Super Bowl matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. Often, players and coaches like to send messages to officials through the media about calls they would like to see.
San Francisco defensive lineman Nick Bosa was asked if anything stands out about Chiefs tackles Donovan Smith and Jawaan Taylor when he watches them play, leading the star pass rusher to remark that “they hold a lot.”
Chiefs Lead NFL in Offensive Holding
Bosa’s statement is correct, as the Chiefs have been called for offensive holding the most times in the league this season. Kansas City has been called for offensive holding penalties 30 times, with six additional flags declined in 20 games.
The 49ers have been called for offensive holding 17 times, tied for 19th with the Denver Broncos, who played two fewer games. The league average for the times a team has been called for offensive holding is 18.
Taylor, the Chiefs’ starting right tackle, has been called for a league-high 20 penalties, including offensive holding on eight occasions. On the left side, Smith has been flagged for offensive holding four times this season.
Chiefs guard Trey Smith has also been called for offensive holding eight times, and center Creed Humphrey has received four such penalties. Guard Joe Thuney, who’s currently questionable with a pectoral injury that cost him to miss the AFC Championship Game, has not been called for holding this season.
The 49ers’ opponents have been called for offensive holding 11 times, with four additional calls declined this season. It’s tied with the Chiefs for the fewest offensive holding penalties by an opponent. The Las Vegas Raiders’ opponents were called for offensive holding an NFL-high 29 times.
49ers Remember Super Bowl LIV
In Super Bowl LIV, the only offensive holding penalty called against the Chiefs was on wide receiver Byron Pringle during a kickoff return. None of Kansas City’s starting offensive linemen this season started that game.
The 49ers were leading the Chiefs, 20-10, with a little over seven minutes left in the game when Kansas City had a 3rd-and-15. Patrick Mahomes completed a 44-yard pass to Tyreek Hill that kept the drive going. The Chiefs scored 21 points in the final seven minutes to win, 31-20.
At the time, some people thought Chiefs offensive tackle Eric Fisher held Bosa on the game-changing play. On Thursday, 49ers owner Jed York was asked what he remembered about that game: “I remember Nick Bosa getting held on third-and-long.”
“I remember Nick Bosa getting held on 3rd and long.”
Jed York on what he remembers about Super Bowl LIV in Miami pic.twitter.com/QwGSdGF6HV
— KNBR (@KNBR) February 1, 2024
Bosa was asked Thursday about the media if he was held on a 3rd-and-15 play. He said, “I don’t think they had a backview, but I’m sure it’s Eric Fisher.”
Bosa had a sack and a forced fumble in the loss to the Chiefs.
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