NFC Game Of The Week
Kansas City Chiefs at San Francisco 49ers
Chiefs: Sunday was a tough way to lose a game. I understand their defense has been the talk because they struggle and that’s what many people feel are holding them back. I understand it, because just imagine if the defense was on cue with the offense. This is the scariest team in the league and there’s not a doubt in my mind about that. Against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, they didn’t look bad. They had their moments at times, but they held one of the best offenses in the league to 24 points and remember the Bills are a unit that can score at any time. After watching that game on Sunday, this showed me one thing. The Chiefs are still one of the two elite teams in the AFC. There’s been a lot of bad football in the conference. Pittsburgh has struggled, the Ravens can’t hold a lead, the Bengals are down (somewhat), the Colts have underachieved, the Titans can be inconsistent, and the rest of the AFC West has been a downer this season. As far as I’m concerned, it’s them and Buffalo with everyone else looking up to them. Their offense will find ways to attack your defense. When they run the football, they can be scary because defenses don’t expect it. Look how their offense gets played. Defenses don’t necessarily load up the box saying “Let’s dare Patrick to beat us”. On Sunday, they’ll make a trip to Levi and face a team also looking to bounce back.
49ers: When they’re clicking, they’re really clicking. Look at how they played the Los Angeles Rams a few weeks back. Dominant on the line of scrimmage on both sides of the football. Their identity is simple, run the football. That’s their bread and butter. They don’t need Jimmy Garoppolo to take a game over with his arm, because that’s simply not his game. Against the Falcons last week, the 49ers were punched in the mouth, plain and simple. Atlanta beat them at their own game which is playing physical and smash mouth football. Run downhill and wear you down. That’s what San Francisco is known to do. They were the victims of that in week six. What stood out to me the most in that game was how much they missed Nick Bosa. Isn’t it amazing how one guy can make all the difference? He’s their best defensive player and I often consider him the “Aaron Donald of their defense”. Now, in no way, shape or form am I putting him in the same bracket with Aaron, I’m talking about how they build that defense around him and how he makes the guys who play with him better. Nick also provides that pass rush and without him, they can’t get to the Quarterback as consistently as they would with him on the field. They return home on Sunday for a tilt with the Chiefs.
Chiefs X-Factor: Clyde Edwards-Helaire: I remember being high on him when he was at LSU. I compared him to Maurice Jones-Drew. He’s having trouble staying on the field in the NFL due to injuries. When the Chiefs feed him the football continuously, he can make an impact. Clyde can keep a defense honest. I like when Kansas City runs the football because it confuses any defense. This is also a testament to how great Mahomes is. If the Falcons can pound the ball with the running game, why can’t the Chiefs?
49ers X-Factor: Brandon Aiyuk– I really like his game and I was excited when the 49ers drafted him. Brandon provides Jimmy with another weapon in the passing game outside of Deebo Samuel and George Kittle. Just like Deebo, Brandon brings some versatility to this offense. You can get him the ball on sweeps, screens, over the middle and he’ll find a way to make the best possible play with the ball. The Chiefs can’t forget about him.
Final Thoughts: We all remember what happened the last time these two played. It was Super Bowl LIV! The Chiefs fought back to win the game over the 49ers to become champions. Some years later, here we are. Both teams are very different now compared to them. The Chiefs don’t have that splash playmaker to get down the field as they did when they had Tyreek Hill. The Niners on the other side drafted a Quarterback in Trey Lance, but reverted back Jimmy after Trey got hurt. Whenever you face Kansas City, it starts with Travis Kelce? I’m doubling him any chance I can get, especially in the red area of the field. The Niners normally defend the position well, but this isn’t your typical Tight End. For the Niners, they must dominate with turnovers defensively and play their game offensively. Don’t expect a big play from Jimmy because he isn’t that type of Quarterback. It’ll also be key for the Niners to hit Mahomes behind the line of scrimmage.
Prediction: Chiefs 27, 49ers 21
