Chiefs-49ers preview: Don’t take San Francisco lightly

By Clayton Wendler  |   Friday, September 29, 2006  |  Comments( 25 )

Kansas City Chiefs
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans!
Chiefs-49ers preview: Don't take San Francisco lightly

When the Kansas City Chiefs pass: The Chiefs have struggled through two games. Damon Huard has completed 67 percent of his passes, but Kansas City isn't getting the ball downfield. If there was ever a week to turn it around, it comes against San Francisco. The 49ers are young in the secondary with free safety Mike Adams and cornerback Shawntae Spencer. Walt Harris is a solid player at the other corner, but not a game changer. Strong safety Tony Parrish is a good player but obviously can't do it all himself. Those four have combined to form a secondary that's allowed 232 yards a game thus far in 2006. Arizona's Kurt Warner shredded them in the opener and Donovan McNabb did just the same a week ago. San Francisco did have some success against the Rams in Week 2.

Obviously the Chiefs' passing offense is not comparable to Arizona's or Philadelphia's, but they have some threats with Tony Gonzalez, Eddie Kennison and speedster Samie Parker. Huard will be more settled into the offense after getting his first start and a bye week to boot. The Chiefs will surely go down the field more this week, but will need to be careful against a 49er pass rush that has produced 12 sacks thus far. Second-year man Kevin Sampson has a big test against veteran defensive end Bryant Young on the right side. Left tackle Kyle Turley has not practiced much this week with back problems, so the Chiefs could be forced to go with Jordan Black. That's an inviting prospect for rookie outside linebacker Manny Lawson, who will rush standing up or with his hand on the ground as part of a four-man defensive line. Call this one the battle of the resistible force against the movable object.


Edge: Even


When the San Francisco 49ers pass: Alex Smith is improved. After only throwing one touchdown pass as a rookie, he's got three already in 2006. He's far from a finished product, however. He's struggled with his accuracy at times and has often bailed out of the pocket at the first sign of pressure. The 49ers like to get Smith out of the pocket as much as possible, be it with bootleg plays, designed rollouts or moving pockets. The Chiefs did an excellent job against Denver's bootleg in Week 2, and they'll have to be prepared again.

Kansas City will have to be wary of wideout Antonio Bryant, who has posted two 100-yard games already. Bryant shredded the Rams for a 72-yard touchdown against a Cover 2 defensive call in Week 2, and the Chiefs frequently run the same style of defense. The good news for KC is that Bryant is a complete headcase. He lost it at the end of the first half against the Rams when Smith missed him with a high throw. He could easily blow up again with Patrick Surtain and Ty Law covering him this week.

San Francisco will miss rookie tight end Vernon Davis, out with a cracked bone in his leg. Backup Eric Johnson will be the best tight end the Chiefs have faced all year, however. The 49ers' offensive line will be without left guard Larry Allen for the third consecutive game, but offensive tackles Jonas Jennings and Kwame Harris have provided good protection for Smith so far.

Look for the 49ers to come out with more play action and rollouts to help Smith against KC's veteran corners. Smith is a better quarterback this year, but the Chiefs have an improved secondary. They're allowing opponents to convert on third down just 25.9 percent of the time so far. San Francisco's offense is only converting at a 30.8 clip.


Edge: Chiefs



When the Kansas City Chiefs run: San Francisco's run defense may look bad by the numbers, as it is allowing a whopping 4.7 yards per carry. That statistic is deceiving. Brian Westbrook's 71-yard run last week is skewing the numbers. Throw it out, and the average drops a full yard. The 49ers did an outstanding job against Edgerrin James in Week 1. He didn't have a run over 10 yards and the Cardinals mustered just five rushing first downs all game. A week later they had some problems against St. Louis' Steven Jackson, who pounded his way to 103 yards on only 22 carries. Had the Rams not been trailing almost the entire ballgame, Jackson would have racked up some big numbers.

So which is the real 49er run defense? This week will probably provide the answer. Larry Johnson muscled his way for 126 hard yards against the Broncos the last time out. San Francisco has an undersized nose tackle in 299-pound Anthony Adams, so it may play more 4-3 this week against the Chiefs. The Niners have constantly switched between the 3-4 and 4-3 defensive schemes through the first three weeks. San Francisco's run defense may be better than advertised, but after seeing Jackson run through it in Week 2, you've got to like Larry Johnson this week, especially after a bye.


Edge: Chiefs



When the San Francisco 49ers run: Frank Gore is the real deal. After getting only 127 carries as a rookie, he's now the featured back in San Francisco and he's responded well with 266 yards rushing and three touchdowns already. The 49ers are a power running team that rarely pitches it outside. They will pound Gore between the tackles all day, often pulling guards Tony Wragge and Justin Smiley into the hole. The Chiefs are getting a break with the absence of left guard Larry Allen. He would have presented a major matchup problem going against defensive tackle James Reed, who weighs in at just 286 pounds. They will have their hands full regardless.

The Chiefs did a solid job against Rudi Johnson in Week 1 and Denver's rushing attack in Week 2. They're giving up just 3.7 yards per carry, but Gore might be the best back they've faced. San Francisco will be content to roll out its "Power O" again, because the last thing the 49ers want to be forced to do is make Alex Smith drop back to pass 35 times in Arrowhead. The Chiefs have a slight advantage due to Gore's injury, an abdominal strain. Gore has also fumbled in every game this year, and Gunther Cunningham's defenses attack the football on every play.


Edge: Chiefs




Special teams: You could call this a wash if it wasn't for the punters. Both teams have solid placekickers and Maurice Hicks has been outstanding for San Francisco with a 26.4 kickoff return average. Dustin Colquitt clearly outshines Andy Lee when it's time to punt, however. Lee is averaging just 41.5 yards per kick and the 49ers have been gashed for 61 yards on three punt returns.


Edge: Chiefs



Intangibles: The 49ers are a second-half team. They weathered fast starts by the opposition in each of their first three contests before making it close or winning in the second half. The challenge for Mike Nolan's squad will be to keep their heads above water at one of the toughest venues in the NFL. If the Chiefs get up early by more than 14 points, it's over. Herm Edwards' teams were 3-2 coming off the bye week in New York. The Chiefs have routinely dominated NFC teams at Arrowhead, with an 18-4 record against non-AFC foes since 1995.


Edge: Chiefs



Prediction: Kansas City is desperate for a win. The 49ers won't quit, but Arrowhead will be too much for Alex Smith in his first start at Kansas City.

Chiefs 28, 49ers 13

Get more Kansas City Chiefs coverage at RealFootball365.com
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans! (25)

Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report