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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Two weeks into the NFL season, fans can finally look forward to the San Francisco 49ers' home opener under the national spotlight. What's on the menu this year? I had the chance to preview some of the upcoming bites at the Levi's Stadium Concessions Showcase.
I checked out Levi's Stadium food selection along with a couple of new local vendors for the upcoming season.
We were introduced to Levi's Stadium and Levy Restaurants' new Executive Chef, Alvin Kabiling, who takes the reign after working with former executive chef Jon Severson for the last several years. Kabiling recognizes that many local fans are "foodies"
The undefeated Miami Dolphins' 70-20 win over the winless Denver Broncos has shot them to the top of multiple power rankings. However, for most, the San Francisco 49ers sit in the top spot.
Also undefeated and sitting atop the NFC West standings, the 49ers are coming off a 30-12 win over the New York Giants. The team is so well-rounded, and Brock Purdy continues to rack up the wins as the starting quarterback.
San Francisco has started the regular season 3-0 for the ninth time in franchise history and has now won 13 consecutive regular-season games dating back to Week 8 of last season. It's the longest active streak in the NFL and the second-longest winning streak in franchise
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke with reporters via a conference call on Monday, the day after the team's 30-23 win over the Los Angeles Rams. Here is everything he had to say.
Transcript provided by the San Francisco 49ers Communications staff.
Opening comments:
"It's too early to have all the answers for the injuries yet. So it's the same as last night with [CB] Ambry Thomas with a knee, [WR Brandon Aiyuk] B.A. with his shoulder and [DB Deommodore Lenoir] Demo cleared his evaluation yesterday for a concussion. He still has to be evaluated today. Go ahead guys."
What do you think about the offensive line and the strides that that unit made coming off of Week 1?
"I
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke with reporters via a conference call on Friday, the day after the team's 30-12 win over the New York Giants. Here is everything he had to say.
Transcript provided by the San Francisco 49ers Communications staff.
Opening comments:
"[LB] Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles had an ankle. He's day-to-day. [LB Dre] Greenlaw ankle, day-to-day. Both of them are low. [WR] Deebo Samuel, his ribs checked out, no break. Pretty sore today, so it'll be day-to-day. And that's it from the game."
With the amount of blitzing that the New York Giants did, have you seen that before or was it expected? What was your game plan going in facing that?
"We knew it
