On Sunday, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs face the San Francisco 49ers. We welcome Marc Delucchi of Niners Nation — our sister SBNation website overlaying the 49ers — for 5 Questions with the Enemy.
1) Many people grew up watching the 49ers as a part of nice rivalries solid by way of playoff matchups. How do the Chiefs evaluate as Bay Space villains to love the Nineteen Nineties Cowboys?
This can be a nice query! Weirdly sufficient, I don’t suppose the Niners’ fanbase has turned the 2 Tremendous Bowl losses right into a bitter hatred of Kansas Metropolis in the best way that builds a contentious rivalry. I feel there’s just a few causes for this, specifically that neither group actually has any gamers/coaches including gas to the fireplace. Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Andy Reid simply don’t spark animus — and Kyle Shanahan has by no means been one to lean into that both. The Niners’ largest latest rivalry with the Seahawks was centrally tied to Pete Carroll and Jim Harbaugh’s longstanding hatred for each other. Add in Richard Sherman’s soured relationship with Harbaugh, and the sparks have been there to fly.
I don’t suppose it’s set in stone, although. Frankly, the Niners have to beat Kansas Metropolis first. Issues may get loads spicier if the 49ers drive Kansas Metropolis to start wanting up at them.
2) The 49ers are coming off of a giant win towards the Seahawks after some surprising losses to start out the 12 months. How a lot confidence did the Thursday evening win construct?
I don’t know if it constructed a lot confidence as a lot because it averted catastrophe. The 49ers’ roster (and fanbase) have been by way of this earlier than. The group has quite a lot of expertise — and seemingly yearly, have a stretch of perplexing losses. Dropping the Thursday evening matchup towards Seattle would’ve prompted some considerations that this Niners group may very well be on a downward spiral.
3) The 49ers may very well be down their main rusher and receiver in Jordan Mason and Jauan Jennings. What tips do you anticipate Kyle Shanahan to have up his sleeve towards Steve Spagnuolo’s protection?
Rookie first-round choose Ricky Pearsall is trending towards taking part in in his first NFL recreation. Don’t be shocked if he finally ends up taking part in a bigger function than anticipated if Jennings is certainly out.
Observe: Jennings was formally listed as out whereas Mason was left off the group’s ultimate damage report. Pearsall is listed as questionable however is predicted to play. He was activated from the 49ers’ Reserve/Non-Soccer Harm listing on Saturday’s NFL transactions report.
4) Brock Purdy simply retains going regardless of how a lot doubt is thrown at him and can quickly be extension-eligible. The place do you see the previous Mr. Irrelevant becoming into the ever-exploding quarterback wage scale?
I feel loads is determined by how he needs to play it. Being a seventh-round choose, Purdy has easier entry to free company. If he have been prepared to play on the franchise tag, he may actually put the Niners in a tough place in 2026 and past. However for a participant who hasn’t had a seven-figure wage but, that looks as if an unlikely transfer. Shanahan loves Purdy, the locker room loves Purdy, and it appears to be like like he’s taken some noteworthy steps ahead this 12 months. The ground is $50 million per 12 months assuming he stays on his present trajectory this 12 months, and I wouldn’t be shocked if he finally ends up setting a brand new AAV report.
5) What’s your official Tremendous Bowl LVIII rematch prediction?
If it have been the playoffs, I might choose Kansas Metropolis, however we’re not within the playoffs. The Niners don’t have a giant relaxation drawback towards a BYE coming off TNF and do have home-field benefit. I additionally suppose they’ll have a a lot bigger emotional funding on this recreation. That is the group that took a Tremendous Bowl championship away from them — so this can be a small shot at revenge. Add in that Kansas Metropolis is undefeated and I feel San Francisco will carry sufficient depth to drag off a 28-24 win.
