Chiefs-49ers Week 7: 5 issues to observe in rematch of Tremendous Bowl LVIII

The bye week is over, and the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (5-0) don’t have any time to ease again into play. In Week 7, the staff will hit the street to play the San Francisco 49ers (3-3) on Sunday at 3:25 PM Arrowhead time in Levi’s Stadium. The power might be excessive for the rematch of Tremendous Bowls LVIII and LIV.

It is going to be the fourth general time these groups have confronted off underneath the present regimes; the Chiefs have received each sport.

Even whereas undefeated, Kansas Metropolis seems to be weak on account of damage — and that can solely rile up a vengeful 49ers staff. The gamers out there for each groups might be well-rested for battle; San Francisco performed on Thursday night time final week. That units the stage for a high-level sport between high-end contenders. Listed here are 5 issues to observe of their newest assembly:

1. Dealing with the 49ers’ misdirection on offense

The Chiefs have gained expertise towards the offensive scheme of 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, whether or not it’s towards his staff or the model the Miami Dolphins run underneath head coach Mike McDaniel. The protection is aware of it begins with hole integrity towards the run and disciplined eyes to key on play-action passes.

San Francisco tries to make that as troublesome as potential. The offense leads the NFL in performs involving pre-snap movement. Within the run sport, the 49ers common 5.2 yards per keep on performs with movement.

The stress might be on the Chiefs’ entrance seven to be stout on the entrance aspect and pursue performs from the again aspect, primarily the linebackers and edge defenders. Former Chiefs’ linebacker Willie Homosexual Jr. excelled towards these stretch-run schemes, however third-year linebacker Leo Chenal has additionally been a giant consider disrupting the sort of offense.

2. Chiefs scheming up massive performs

The Chiefs will want a thought-out offensive plan to guard quarterback Patrick Mahomes as he throws and continues working the ball effectively. Head coach Andy Reid highlighted what drives the 49ers’ protection in a press convention Wednesday.

“Their defensive entrance,” Reid identified. “It begins with these guys, then they’ve an All-Professional linebacker sitting proper there. That’s fairly good, together with the secondary. They’re nicely rounded, but it surely begins with the defensive entrance; they set the tempo for his or her protection.”

Second-year left sort out Wanya Morris is slated to begin for the fourth consecutive sport, and the staff will probably support him with loads of formations that includes a number of tight ends. Defensive finish Nick Bosa entered Week 7 because the NFL chief in quarterback pressures, three of these ending as sacks.

The Chiefs’ heavier formations may also help within the run sport, however it’s going to additionally arrange the offense for play-action photographs. The chance to hit huge receiver Xavier Worthy on the run downfield appears to current itself a couple of times a sport, and the Chiefs can’t afford to let these alternatives slip by as a result of stress disrupted the timing.

The quarterback understands that, acknowledging how shut these groups have performed traditionally.

“There’s a play right here or there, if that modifications then they win,” Mahomes identified of earlier matchups. “That’s the NFL, particularly while you get two of the highest groups going towards one another.”

3. Pressuring and pursuing Brock Purdy

49ers’ quarterback Brock Purdy proved loads on the large stage of final 12 months’s championship sport, and he has seemingly improved additional as a difference-maker this season. Purdy has the second-most passing yards within the NFL and owns the very best common depth of goal (10 yards) and price of throws into tight home windows (23%) amongst certified passers this 12 months.

Purdy has grown assured in his mobility, shopping for himself time to make these downfield throws. On common, Purdy takes essentially the most time to throw of any quarterback within the NFL (3.17 seconds).

The accountability to cease these drawn-out performs falls on the go rush. Defensive tackles Chris Jones and Tershawn Wharton play a big function in getting Purdy out of rhythm by caving the entrance of the pocket, however defensive ends George Karlaftis and Felix Anudike-Uzomah might want to comprise or corral the scrambling Purdy; Mike Danna won’t play on account of a pectoral damage.

4. Chiefs ending drives with touchdowns

The Chiefs intend to enhance their capacity to complete drives with six factors relatively than three; at the moment, the staff ranks twenty ninth within the NFL in changing red-zone drives into touchdowns.

It received’t be simple towards the swarming, instinctive defensive entrance of San Francisco — which makes the earlier level of executing big-play alternatives much more essential. Nevertheless, the Chiefs must manufacture as a lot house as potential when the sphere tightens close to the aim line. The offense must assault sideline to sideline towards the 49ers’ protection.

This season, San Francisco permits the seventh-highest price of yards per rush on runs outdoors the tackles (5.6 yards). That requires pin-and-pull toss runs to hit the sting or jet-sweep handoffs to Worthy or huge receiver Mecole Hardman.

5. Protecting the 49ers’ arsenal of weapons

Purdy’s ascension as a person has been aided by an extremely proficient group of skill-position gamers. The Chiefs are acquainted — however they won’t see all what the 49ers have to supply. Vast receiver Jauan Jennings — a memorable performer from Tremendous Bowl LVIII — was dominated out with a hip damage.

Vast receiver Deebo Samuel began the week as a restricted participant in follow with a wrist damage however will play and supply the various problem he all the time does. Cornerback Trent McDuffie matched him nicely within the slot final matchup, however Samuel may even get schemed up on linebackers primarily based on the place he aligns in formation.

Tight finish George Kittle will check linebackers Nick Bolton and Drue Tranquill by dropping into zone protection, however security Justin Reid will man him up on third downs. Cornerback Jaylen Watson has had a powerful season, and 49ers’ huge receiver Brandon Aiyuk might be a robust check for him on the perimeter.