The San Francisco 49ers are seemingly back on track after defeating the Seattle Seahawks a week ago. But now they face the defending Super Bowl Champions, the Kansas City Chiefs. The 49ers have lost two Super Bowls to the Chiefs, and while winning a regular-season game won't make up for either of those losses, handing Kansas City their first loss in 2024 would be nice. It could go a long way in giving the 49ers the confidence to beat them if the two teams meet again in the Super Bowl.
The 49ers have not beaten the Chiefs since 2014, Jim Harbaugh's final season as head coach in San Francisco. In the last regular season matchup between the two teams, the 49ers lost 44-23. That was Christian McCaffrey's first game with the team. He had been traded only a few days before. The 49ers normally lose to the Chiefs in the regular season, and when they do, it's usually not close. Can they change that this season?
We opened the 49ers Webzone Mailbag this week. You had plenty of questions, and we've done our best to answer each one. Let's jump in.
How much faith do you have in the 49ers' offensive line stopping the Chiefs' pass rush? - KCarps
I am more confident the 49ers' offensive line can slow down (not sure about stopping) the Chiefs' pass rush than I am that they can open holes in the running game. Even though the 49ers' offensive line is generally better in run blocking than pass blocking, the Chiefs' defense has been dominant against the run so far this season. They're surrendering 3.7 yards per attempt, one of the best in the league.
You may also recall how difficult it was for 49ers receivers to get open in the Super Bowl. So while the run game may be my biggest concern, the receivers creating separation is my second largest concern. Protecting Brock Purdy is a must, but I think that's an issue the 49ers always seem to be dealing with. I'm not very confident in the offensive line slowing down the Chiefs' pass rush, but this week, there are bigger concerns.
It's strange to not name Patrick Mahomes as the biggest concern when facing the Chiefs. It feels wrong. But that's where I'm currently at.
Will Mason be okay to play? Also, how big will Pearsall's impact be? - Andrew H.
Jordan Mason was seen in a blue, non-contact jersey at practice on Monday. That's an obvious indication he's still dealing with some shoulder pain. But it's also a good sign that he'll play on Sunday. How much he will be able to play will depend on how his shoulder holds up. If Mason can't play, how will the 49ers attack that stellar Chiefs run defense? What are the chances Kyle Shanahan goes with four receivers, puts Isaac Guerendo in the backfield, and lines up in the run and shoot? Where's Warren Moon when you need him?
The 49ers opened rookie WR Ricky Pearsall's practice window this week. They have three weeks to let him practice before deciding to play him or shut him down for the season. I expect them to keep him on the active roster. But I'm not sure when he'll actually see the field. Once he's ready to play, I think he has a chance to make an impact, especially in the red zone and on plays where Purdy needs to get the ball out quickly.
Just remember, though, that Pearsall is a rookie who has missed a lot of practice. I wouldn't expect him to set the world on fire right off the bat. Now, if he does, that's great. But we need to be patient with him.
In your estimation, what's the 49ers keys to victory over Kansas City? And can San Francisco shut down Patrick Mahomes or just try to limit him? - Ed H.
The 49ers have played Mahomes very well in the two Super Bowls, only to have him rear his ugly head in the end and beat them. So even if they shut him down, they won't be out of the storm until the final seconds tick away.
As far as the keys to victory for the 49ers, I would say they need to:
- Find a way to run the ball against a very good run defense.
- Get the receivers open against a talented secondary.
- Give Purdy enough time to throw (which could mean getting the ball out quickly).
- Stop making so many mistakes (penalties, turnovers).
- Kick the ball into the endzone. I don't trust the 49ers special teams units, especially the coverage teams.
Do you think there will be any significant changes to special teams, coaching or personnel-wise? That's twice in two games where our kickers were injured because they had to make a last-resort tackle. - Andy G.
One change is to stop kicking the ball where it can be returned. Now, I realize that's easier said than done. But it's a start.
The coaching staff may make a change or two to some on-field personnel, but I don't expect any coaching changes during the season. After the season is another story. The 49ers special teams have been horrible for several years, and if they hadn't played an even worse special teams unit in Green Bay during the 2021 postseason, they likely would have lost that game, as well.
What do the 49ers do to improve: 1) 3rd down defense? It's atrocious, and 2) Getting pressure on the quarterback? - Lowbridge
Defensive Coordinator Nick Sorensen has been doing some different things and making better adjustments. So perhaps those changes will help the third-down defense and the pass rush. If they can get healthy, specifically Talanoa Hufanga and Charvarius Ward, and if they can get Dre Greenlaw back at some point, that will be a huge help.
I also think being better in run defense will help. The defense has looked better with Evan Anderson and Kalia Davis than it did with Javon Hargrave. If Jordan Elliott can get healthy, that will help, too. A strong run defense puts you in better positions to succeed on third down.
Where is the defense? Letting teams score too much against you or giving up the lead! - Jeff G.
I don't think the defense is as bad as everyone seems to think. Yes, they have a long way to go and have been bad, at times. But they played well in Seattle against a good offense. The 49ers defense is currently number five overall in DVOA through Week 6. The 49ers offense is number four.
Where are the special teams? That would be all the way down at number 31. That's a bigger issue if you ask me.
I know Shanahan trusts Brendel but he really seems weak in protecting up the middle, which means Brock has to scramble immediately upon the snap. How soon will Feliciano be returning? Or is someone else like Zakelj or Bartch being groomed to take over? - Andy G.
I would love to see Jon Feliciano take over for Jake Brendel at center. But, as Andy mentioned, the coaches are high on Brendel for some reason. So I expect Brendel to remain the starting center when Feliciano returns, which should be soon. Now, if Brendel continues to struggle, that could change, but I don't believe it will change immediately.
On Monday, Feliciano posted on social media that he was ready to return. But he wasn't seen practicing that day. So he may not be ready for the Chiefs, but he has a good chance to play the following week against the Dallas Cowboys. Again, expect Brendel to remain the starter, at least early on.
When Feliciano returns, Nick Zakelj and Ben Bartch will take a step back on the food chain.
Are we destined to lose to the Chiefs forever, or is this the week where we slay the proverbial dragon and go on a winning streak all the way to the Lombardi? - Dennis S.
The 49ers can't seem to beat the Chiefs. Even in 1994, the last season they won the Super Bowl, the 49ers still lost to the Chiefs. It's one thing to lose to them at Arrowhead Stadium where it's so loud. But the 49ers can't even seem to beat them at home. The 2014 victory over the Chiefs, the last time San Francisco beat Kansas City, was at Levi's Stadium. In 2010, the 49ers lost 31-10 in Kansas City. In 2006, the 49ers were blown out 41-0 at Arrowhead.
The last time the 49ers beat the Chiefs, other than 2014, was in 2002, when Steve Mariucci was the coach of the 49ers. That game was at Candlestick Park. The 49ers won that contest 17-13.
So if the 49ers can finally beat the Chiefs, that would be a nice morale boost heading into the next week.
Any chance Ricky going to get any play time this week or next week? I know he started practice this morning. - Charlie M.
I mentioned this earlier, but I'm not sure how much we'll see Pearsall before the bye. After the bye, he should be better prepared to play. But until then, I don't expect much from him. I hope he gets some playing time because he has a lot of catching up to do.
Anyone really think it's just a coincidence where the Chiefs bye fell? They could've had a bye in Week 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14. Apparently, no one's allowed to have a bye in week 8 or 13. 8 possible bye weeks, but they got the Week 6, the one before SB rematch. All things being equal, a 13% chance of drawing that Week. Either way, we'll see what happens at least SF got the mini-bye. - Patrick L.
It is a definite disadvantage for the 49ers. Andy Reid with two weeks to prepare for you is deadly. Reid rarely loses coming out of the bye.
And then the following week, the 49ers face the Cowboys, who will be coming off their bye. And they'll be desperate for a win. So the schedule-makers have done the 49ers no favors. Thanks, NFL.
Are the refs going to help KC again? - Jack B.
Professional me: Come on, Jack. The officials don't help the Chiefs. It's all fair. Sometimes they miss calls. They're human.
Fan me: Of course, the refs are going to help Kansas City. That's what happens every time the Chiefs play. Oh, and Taylor Swift is annoying.
Am I the only one who notices that Guerendo runs a little too upright, which seems to make him much easier to tackle? - Andy G.
You're not the only one who notices. It was one of the things scouts wrote about him. Guerendo has a long way to go, but it's fun to watch him get in open space. I'd like to see Shanahan find more ways to get him the ball in the passing game. That's where Guerendo can do some damage.
That's all we have for this week's edition of the 49ers Webzone Mailbag. We'll be back next week with a brand new one. Thank you for all the great questions. And thank you for the ones that weren't as great. Yours count, too.