The Kansas City Chiefs remain one of only two undefeated teams this season. Meanwhile, the San Francisco 49ers enter Week 7 at .500, hoping that last Thursday night's win over the Seattle Seahawks serves as a turning point for building momentum through the remainder of the season. The last time these teams met was under the bright lights of Super Bowl LVIII, with the Chiefs narrowly coming out on top and the 49ers left heartbroken.
While Sunday's matchup would carry even more weight if the 49ers hadn't already suffered three tough losses—or if star running back Christian McCaffrey were available—it remains an opportunity for San Francisco to measure itself against one of the NFL's elite rosters.
Defensive end Nick Bosa, who has faced the Chiefs twice on the Super Bowl stage, is still seeking his first win over Kansas City. His first Super Bowl loss to them came during his 2019 rookie campaign, with another loss during the 2022 regular season.
"Obviously, this was a big one to get, and now we have a little time to get some guys healthy and then, yeah," Bosa reflected after last week's victory over the Seahawks. "I mean, we have a long road ahead, and it starts with the team that we haven't beat yet since I've been here, so definitely trying to get the monkey off our back with that one."
In contrast, tackle Trent Williams takes a more measured approach to the upcoming game, focusing on the present rather than the past.
"It's another game," Williams remarked. "I mean, it's not like we can get payback for losing in a Super Bowl. That ship has sailed. So it's another game. We've got to come out and try to play complimentary football."
He continued, "Obviously, we know what type of team that is—one of the best teams in the league, all-star quarterback, you know, great coach. So it's going to be a tough game regardless."
Though the 49ers benefit from a few extra days of much-needed rest, the Chiefs come into the matchup with the added advantage of coming off a bye week. For San Francisco, Sunday's contest marks the beginning of a challenging stretch that includes games against the Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, and Buffalo Bills.
Securing a win on Sunday and climbing above .500 before hosting the Cowboys in Week 8 could be crucial for Kyle Shanahan's squad as they push to keep their championship hopes alive.
The 49ers will hold four practices this week, starting with a bonus session on Monday. A win over the Chiefs would not only boost their confidence but also serve as a statement to the league that the 49ers shouldn't be written off as legitimate Super Bowl contenders.