It's not quite Joe Montana versus Steve Young, but today's game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara does feature the 49ers facing their former quarterback, Alex Smith.
Last week, the 49ers (2-2) defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 26-21. The Chiefs (2-2) absolutely demolished the New England Patriots 41-14.
Smith, who was taken with the first overall selection in the 2005 NFL Draft by the 49ers, spent eight seasons with the team. In 2012, a concussion suffered by Smith forced youngster Colin Kaepernick to take over at quarterback. Smith would never start another game for the 49ers and Kaepernick would guide the team all the way to the Super Bowl.
During the following offseason, Smith was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs and would help lead a team that was coming off of a 2-14 season into the playoffs. Kaepernick would guide his 49ers to their third straight NFC Championship.
Smith and the Chiefs are looking to win their third straight game. Against the Patriots, he completed 20 of his 26 passes for 248 yards and three touchdowns. He has not had an interception in his last three games.
Kaepernick was 17 of 30 for 218 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in the 49ers' victory over the previously unbeaten Eagles.
The 49ers defense, despite being without linebacker NaVorro Bowman, defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, and linebacker Aldon Smith, responded to doubters by holding running back LeSean McCoy and the Eagles to just 22 yards rushing on 12 attempts. Cornerback Perrish Cox, who has been starting in place of the injured Tramaine Brock, has been playing very well. So well, that many within the media question whether Brock should automatically get his starting job back once he is healthy.
The 49ers will likely look to once again control the clock on offense after running back
Frank Gore's 119 yard performance last week. He also hauled in a 55-yard touchdown reception, the longest of his career.
This past week, 49ers players were quick to defend head coach Jim Harbaugh after Deion Sanders claimed that, according to multiple "sources" within the team, players had lost faith in him. Harbaugh himself called the report "crap."
As usual, you can visit 49erswebzone.com for the latest news and updates during and after the game.
Offensive Rankings:
The 49ers rank 19th with 350.8 yards per game. The Chiefs rank 16th with 352.5 yards per game.
Defensive Rankings:
The 49ers rank 2nd, allowing 287.2 yards per game. The Chiefs rank 11th, allowing 338 yards per game.
Last Meeting:
The Chiefs beat the 49ers 31-10 in Kansas City, Missouri in 2010.
Kickoff:
The game kicks off at 1:25 PM PT.
Betting:
The 49ers are 5 point favorites.
Fan Picks:
At Yahoo! Sports, 67% of fans believe that the 49ers will win this game. Within our
Pick 'em contest, 94% of fans believe that the 49ers will win this game.
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Television:
The game will be televised on CBS.
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The San Francisco 49ers announced that rookie defensive lineman Robert Beal Jr. has been activated from the injured reserve list. The team placed safety George Odum on the injured reserve list to make room on the roster.
Odum (6-1, 202) appeared in all 11 of the team's games and registered a team-high 10 tackles on special teams. He suffered a torn biceps injury during the 49ers' Week 12 win over the Seattle Seahawks.
In April, San Francisco drafted Beal in the fifth round (173rd overall). On August 30, he was placed on the injured reserve list with a hamstring injury. Beal was the last of three 49ers players waiting to be activated after their
Guard Spencer Burford participated in the San Francisco 49ers' bonus practice on Monday, marking his return after being among the team's seven inactive players on Thanksgiving night against the Seattle Seahawks.
49ers *bonus* practice. Trent Williams, Spencer Burford, Aaron Banks are all on hand … pic.twitter.com/pvRlgZdWDU— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) November 27,
The San Francisco 49ers have signed cornerback Kemon Hall and safety Erik Harris to the team's practice squad and released offensive lineman Henry Byrd.
The 49ers Communications staff provided the following rundown.
Hall (5-11, 190) originally entered the NFL after signing with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent on May 10, 2019. After spending the majority of the 2019 season on the Chargers practice squad, he was signed to the Minnesota Vikings practice squad on December 31, 2019. He went on to spend training camp with the Vikings before appearing on the New Orleans Saints and Dallas Cowboys practice squads in 2020. He was signed to the Chargers active roster on
Tight end George Kittle values the presence of Brock Purdy in the San Francisco 49ers' huddle. The quarterback has played efficiently, contributing to the team's three consecutive wins following a costly October slump.
Purdy is on track to become the first 49ers quarterback to surpass 4,000 passing yards since Jeff Garcia did so in 2000. In fact, his projected 4,437 yards would set a franchise record.
"I think I can speak for everybody on our offense, we're continually impressed with the things that Brock does all the time," Kittle told Jim Rome on Tuesday. "His consistency every single day, the relationship that he's built with all of our skilled players, all the guys that he gets the ball to, it's pretty amazing. And we all feel that [comfort] with
