In Week 7 in Santa Clara, we will see a rematch of Super Bowl 54 as the 3-3 San Francisco 49ers host the undefeated 5-0 Kansas City Chiefs. Several factors will play into the 49ers' success this weekend. To snap their losing streak against the Chiefs, the 49ers must adhere to these Keys to Victory.
Establish the Run
The Chiefs boast the fifth-ranked run defense in the league, allowing just 88.4 yards per game. With Jordan Mason's injury (AC joint) last week, Kyle Shanahan must find a way to run the ball to establish balance and control the tempo. Running the ball effectively will help the 49ers keep their offense on the field and Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs' offense on the sideline.
A strong ground game will also open up the play-action pass, allowing receivers to find space in the middle of the field.
Establish a Rhythm
Brock Purdy has shown that he's nearly unstoppable once he gets into a rhythm. The Chiefs are aggressive and will likely blitz to disrupt the 49ers' rhythm. Purdy must make quick reads and accurate throws to keep the offense moving. While Purdy leads the league in air yards, this game plan may call for fast, efficient throws.
The Chiefs rank 20th in passing yards allowed, so this could be the week the "YAC Bros" make their mark. Establishing a rhythm early could be the key to unlocking the 49ers' victory.
Execution
Purdy will need all hands on deck against the Chiefs. Not every play will go as planned, so the 49ers' playmakers—Kittle, Deebo, Aiyuk, Juszczyk, and Mason—must execute. The offensive line must protect Purdy and maintain their blocks, keeping him upright. They must also sustain their run-blocking assignments. Running backs must attack the running lanes aggressively and make the most of their opportunities.
Most importantly, the 49ers must finish in the red zone. Last week, they went 3-for-5 against the Seahawks. They must finish and execute in the red zone with touchdowns. Do not—and I repeat—do not leave any points out there for the Chiefs. The pressure and excitement of executing every play will be palpable in this game.
Stop the Screens
The Chiefs' offense looks different this year, especially in the passing game. Patrick Mahomes and company use screen passes on 21% of their passing plays, and 38% of their passes are short throws.
The 49ers' defense must stop these screens and limit yards after the catch. Fundamentals will be key—missed tackles must be minimized. Expect Fred Warner and the linebackers to be the "screen busters," working to limit the effectiveness of the Chiefs' screen plays.
Mind Control
The 49ers haven't beaten the Chiefs since 2014, when Colin Kaepernick and Jim Harbaugh led the team. To end that streak, the 49ers must be mentally sharp in all phases of the game. The matchups are compelling: Kyle Shanahan vs. Steve Spagnuolo and Andy Reid vs. Nick Sorensen. The matchups start with coaching and filter down to the offense, defense, and special teams. The team that remains mentally toughest will come out on top.
The Chiefs have dominated the 49ers during the Shanahan era, but it's time for the 49ers to regain control. The right mindset could be the deciding factor in this matchup.
In conclusion, while this isn't a Super Bowl rematch, the 49ers must approach this game as a must-win. The outcome won't directly impact their post-season chances. If the 49ers are mentally prepared and have the right mindset, they will defeat Kansas City. A win would improve the 49ers to 4-3 on the season and keep them undefeated against the AFC.
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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.
