Sacking the quarterback wasn't a pressing issue for the San Francisco 49ers during the regular season. Steve Wilks' defense racked up 48 quarterback takedowns during the team's 12-5 run to an NFC West division title.

Through two playoff games, finishing at the QB has been a lot harder to come by for San Francisco. Pro Bowl edge defender Nick Bosa is responsible for the team's only two sacks of the postseason thus far, and they both happened in one game.

San Fran has gotten zero playoff sacks out of its talented interior defensive line comprised of Javon Hargrave, Arik Armstead, and Javon Kinlaw.

That has to change in Super Bowl LVIII, and it just might.

In speaking to reporters Tuesday afternoon, Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid did not sound optimistic when asked if All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney will play Sunday night.

"Eh, we'll see," Reid said. "I think it's a long shot (for him to practice and play), yeah."  

Thuney is one-third of the elite trio of interior offensive linemen the Chiefs have to protect QB Patrick Mahomes. He led the team in pass blocking grade (83.4) according to Pro Football Focus, his third straight season with a grade north of 80. He suffered a pectoral injury in Kansas City's win over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Divisional Round.

Replacing Thuney two Sundays ago at LG was Nick Allegretti, who allowed a team-high four pressures against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship.

The one time Mahomes was sacked, it was Allegretti who was responsible.

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All eyes on Allegretti 

The 49ers' game plan will have to revolve around exploiting any weak link the mighty Chiefs possess. Allegretti played very well for the majority of his 46 pass blocking snaps in Baltimore, but that one blunder could be what San Francisco needs this week.

Allegretti has logged 105 snaps over the past several weeks, playing four different positions in five weeks. His versatility is impressive on its own, much like his performance in his only other start aside from the AFC title game. He allowed one pressure in 35 pass blocking snaps at center against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 18.

There's a reason why Allegretti is the first lineman off the bench for Kansas City. There's also a reason why he's on the bench to begin with.

When your position requires you to move backwards, the drop-off from starter to reserve is most noticeable. Quarterbacks, cornerbacks, and offensive lineman all fall under this umbrella. Allegretti may be a cog in a five-man machine, but he's nowhere near Thuney's level. He'll be the weakest link inside to protect Mahomes if he's out there.

Hurrying Mahomes is not even half the battle. The two-time Super Bowl MVP is known for creating out of structure and evading muddied pockets. He's a superhero with the ball in his hands, but his kryptonite is no different than any other passer: sacking him is the quickest way to neutralize him.

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Turning cash and pressures into sacks

This has to be the motto for Hargrave, Armstead, and Kinlaw this week. All three should all get their chance to exploit Allegretti, but through two playoff games, it's been them falling short of expectations. Hargrave had seven sacks in the regular season. Armstead had five. Kinlaw had 3.5. They each have a goose egg next to their name in the playoffs.

Pressures and quick wins are great on their own. Hargrave has logged six pressures on 62 pass rushing snaps. Armstead has nine pressures and a QB hit on the same number of reps. Kinlaw has won on 27.8% of his 20 reps. There's another level they haven't reached.

Hargrave, Armstead, and Kinlaw combined to cost the club $44,212,390 in cash for this season. Cap hits for Hargrave and Armstead are only going way up next season. Kinlaw is potentially his last game in Red and Gold as a pending free agent in the offseason.

The 49ers' defense starts up front. Bosa usually comes through when he's needed, but he can't do it alone this time. His interior teammates need to step up and actually finish at the finish line.

Kansas City Chiefs have one fatal flaw that could cost them the Super Bowl

Kansas City Chiefs have fatal flaw that could cost them the Super Bowl