Kansas City, with a record of 5-0, will visit San Francisco, which stands at 3-3, for an exciting matchup on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. EDT, broadcasted by Fox. According to the BetMGM NFL betting lines, the 49ers are favored by 1.5 points. Against the spread, the Chiefs have performed well this season, boasting a 4-1 record, while the 49ers are at 3-3. Historically, the Chiefs lead the series with a 9-7 record. Their last encounter ended with the Chiefs defeating the 49ers 25-22 in overtime during Super Bowl 58 on February 11, 2024.
The previous week saw the Chiefs on a bye, but in their last game on October 7, they secured a 26-13 victory over the Saints. The 49ers, on the other hand, achieved a strong 36-24 win against the Seahawks. In terms of team performance, the Chiefs rank 11th in overall offense, 16th in rushing, 9th in passing, and 15th in scoring. Defensively, they place 9th overall, 5th against the run, 20th against the pass, and 6th in scoring. The 49ers excel with the 2nd overall offense, 3rd in rushing, 2nd in passing, and 8th in scoring. Their defense is ranked 11th overall, 7th against the run, 17th against the pass, and 12th in scoring. Currently, the turnover differential favors the 49ers at +3, while the Chiefs sit at -4.
Key players to watch include running back Kareem Hunt for the Chiefs, who has revitalized his career after rejoining the team due to Isiah Pacheco’s injury. In his last game, Hunt rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown, marking his first 100-yard game since 2020. He has accumulated 202 yards from scrimmage in his two games back. The 49ers will look to quarterback Brock Purdy, who rebounded from a less-than-stellar outing against Arizona two weeks prior. Last week, he threw for 255 yards and three touchdowns without turning the ball over in Seattle. While he performed admirably in the Super Bowl against the Chiefs last season, he faced challenges on crucial third downs that impacted the game’s outcome.
A crucial matchup will be between the Chiefs’ defensive tackle Chris Jones and the 49ers’ right guard Dominick Puni. During the Super Bowl, Jones managed to pressure Purdy multiple times, which could prove significant again this Sunday. Though Puni has impressed as a rookie, he will face his most formidable opponent yet in Jones.
Injury reports show that Chiefs defensive lineman Mike Danna may miss the game due to a pectoral injury. On the other side, the 49ers face kicker dilemmas, with Jake Moody sidelined due to a high ankle sprain, while his replacement, Matthew Wright, deals with shoulder and back issues. To bolster their kicker situation, they have added Anders Carlson to the practice squad. Running back Jordan Mason is expected to play following a shoulder injury last week, but receivers Jauan Jennings (hip) and defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (knee) are questionable for the game.
Historical context reveals that the Chiefs have defeated the 49ers in all four encounters since Kyle Shanahan took over as head coach in San Francisco in 2017, including victories in the Super Bowl following the 2019 and 2023 seasons. San Francisco has had success at home, recording a 5-2 record against the Chiefs, though they lost their first meeting in 1971 and another two years back.
As for stats and records, this matchup marks the 10th instance of a Super Bowl rematch in the following season, with the Super Bowl champion winning six of the previous nine rematches. Notably, the Chiefs seek to maintain their perfect start. They are aiming for their third 6-0 record in franchise history, having previously achieved it in 2003 and 2013. Chiefs coach Andy Reid boasts an impressive 21-4 record following a regular-season bye. The Chiefs have also recorded an extraordinary streak with 11 consecutive victories, scoring less than 27 points in each game, something that has only been accomplished once before in NFL history. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes remains undefeated against the 49ers, showcasing strong performance metrics across four starts. Meanwhile, San Francisco looks to secure consecutive wins and continues to rely on impressive performances from both their offense and defense, with standout contributions from players like Deebo Samuel and linebacker Fred Warner.
For fantasy enthusiasts, tight end George Kittle may be a valuable asset, as he has been a favored target for Purdy in the red zone, scoring all five of his touchdowns this season from that position. The Chiefs have struggled defensively against tight ends, providing an opportunity for Kittle to shine further in this matchup.