The San Francisco 49ers face a team they haven't beaten since 2014. Kyle Shanahan is 0-4 against Andy Reid's Kansas City Chiefs. Although the Chiefs may look slightly different in 2024, they still have players who could be problematic if the 49ers take them lightly. San Francisco must aim to neutralize Kansas City's biggest threats.
Patrick Mahomes
Mahomes is 4-0 against Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers. More importantly, San Francisco hasn't had a defensive coordinator able to defeat him. His ability to extend plays and create something out of nothing makes him incredibly dangerous. While he will run, Mahomes is always looking to pass first. He currently ranks 11th on Pro Football Focus' player grades.
Despite his talent, Mahomes has shown vulnerability, throwing six interceptions this season, so the play from the safeties could be huge. Patrick Mahomes is a champion, and the 49ers must prepare to defend him in every way.
Travis Kelce
Kelce isn't having a Kelce-like season. He has yet to score during his 2024 campaign, but the 49ers shouldn't overlook his production. Kelce is a zone-buster, and the 49ers play a lot of zone. In man coverage, Kelce will take advantage of the 49ers' slower linebackers and the youth at the safety position.
Defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen won't want to be the one who lets Kelce find his form again. Kelce leads the Chiefs with 32 targets for 24 receptions this season. Beware of Travis Kelce.
Xavier Worthy
The NFL's fastest man is headed to the Bay to challenge the 49ers. Worthy has two touchdowns this season and is third on the Chiefs in targets, with 19, translating into 12 receptions for 179 yards. His speed and versatility make him a dual threat, capable of lining up wide or in the backfield.
The 49ers must focus on preventing Worthy from breaking out for explosive plays down the field or out of the backfield. They've struggled with speed all season, so keeping Worthy in check is a must.
Trent McDuffie
The All-Pro cornerback aims to continue his success against the 49ers' receivers. In the Super Bowl, he effectively shut down San Francisco's wideouts. McDuffie's threat lies in his physicality. He's an aggressive coverage corner. He's been tested more this season, and his 73.1 coverage grade is the second-highest on the Chiefs. McDuffie has been targeted 21 times and has allowed 14 receptions for 123 yards.
Should the 49ers test McDuffie? To succeed, they must match physicality with physicality. Expect Jauan Jennings to be targeted a lot. If the 49ers let McDuffie play his game, it could spell trouble for their receiving corps.
Chris Jones
Jones was instrumental in denying the 49ers a victory in the Super Bowl. He may be the Chiefs' second-most impactful player, making him a formidable opponent. Blocking Jones must be a priority—leaving him unblocked is simply not an option.
Rookie guard Dominick Puni could be the team's best hope for managing Jones' impact. Although Jones has only three sacks this season, he's a big reason the Chiefs rank fifth against the run. The 49ers need a solid plan to handle this challenge.
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Written by:Wayne Breezie is a 49ers content creator. He had his first guest appearance on Ronbosports in 2012. He began writing for a Facebook group called the League of the 49ers. Next, he began writing for Nothing But Niners in 2017. In 2018, Wayne Breezie made his debut on YouTube’s Nothing But Niners show. In 2019, he started his podcast called Nitty Gritty Niners. After putting the pen down for several years, Breezie saw an opportunity to write for 49erscap.com. His first published article was in January of 2022 with 49ersCap, and he currently writes and produces weekly podcasts.
