Chiefs vs. 49ers, Week 7: Chiefs Wire staff predictions – Chiefs Wire

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Both of these teams are getting key pieces back ahead of this matchup, so they should be close to full strength for the Week 7 game.

It’s another No. 1 ranked defense for Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City offense, but they’ve made quick work of top-ranked scoring defenses in the past. I expect that the same will happen this week because the one place the 49ers are ailing is in the secondary. Charvarius Ward is dealing with a groin injury and Talanoa Hufanga has yet to clear the concussion protocol. The team is also unlikely to activate Jason Verrett, which means third-string cornerback Deommodore Lenoir will see snaps in this game.

In two games against the Chiefs since 2018, Kyle Shanahan’s offense with Jimmy G at quarterback has failed to score more than 27 points. They’ve only once scored more than 30 points this season, with some inconsistent play on the offensive side of the ball. Keep in mind that the Chiefs’ defense, sans Trent McDuffie, Willie Gay Jr. and Tershawn Wharton held the Buffalo Bills to 24 points just a week ago.

I suspect that the first team to 30 points in this game is the winner, but the defense might have to get it done by forcing a fourth-quarter turnover to seal it.

Chiefs 31, 49ers 27

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The Chiefs travel to the west coast to battle the  49ers in a matchup that will test the team’s unity. A heartbreaking loss last Sunday to Buffalo will force the team to trust returning players in the lineup to play immediate impact roles.

Patrick Mahomes ended last week’s game with an interception and will push to be extra sharp with his decisions. The emergence of veteran receivers Marques Valdez-Scantling and JuJu Smith-Schuster will be utilized frequently as the 49ers’ defensive line will force quick throws. A better running game performance from the Chiefs’ three-headed monster should open up big plays.

On defense, the return of Willie Gay Jr. will help solidify the unit and help better organize the linebackers. The secondary could see a boost with the potential return of Trent McDuffie helping to contain the most talented Deebo Samuel. The game will come down to a Harrison Butker field goal attempt as the Chiefs escape the Bay Area with a victory heading into the bye week.

Chiefs 27, 49ers 24

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I’ve gone back and forth on this game even more than the matchup against the Bills. The 49ers have a better roster than the Chiefs and present a bad matchup against them, but the Chiefs have Patrick Mahomes. And not just the usual Mahomes, but Mahomes coming off a loss.

The Chiefs are in such an unusual position. They don’t have much of a running game and their receivers are inconsistent at best. Their defense is young and still trying to gel. However, Andy Reid, Travis Kelce and Mahomes are so good that they give K.C. a shot to win any game against any team.

What I’m most frustrated over with the 2022 Chiefs is the coaching staff’s refusal to give rookies Skyy Moore and Isiah Pacheco more prominent roles within the offense. It’s no mystery at this point what they have in players such as Mecole Hardman and Clyde Edwards-Helaire, so why not see if the rookies can provide a spark?

Until I see it, I can’t expect it to happen. I expect more frustration with the K.C. receivers against a very good 49ers’ secondary and I shudder to think what the S.F. pass rush is going to do to the struggling Chiefs’ offensive line. Offensively the 49ers are very disciplined and will likely stay committed to the run, which the K.C. defense has struggled against in recent weeks.

Jimmy Garoppolo isn’t a world-beater, but he’s good enough to feed off a successful running game and make a few plays. I’m going with the 49ers in this one, putting the Chiefs in a similar position as last year where they had to take a hard look at how they’re performing and make some adjustments.

49ers 27, Chiefs 24

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This one is going to be a low scorer. I can feel it. The best way to contain the Chiefs’ offense is to have a good front four, and the 49ers definitely have that with defensive end Nick Bosa leading the way. Meanwhile, the Chiefs’ offensive tackles are allowing the fourth (Orlando Brown Jr., 22) and fifth (Andrew Wylie, 20) most pressures among tackles in the NFL, per PFF.

On the flip side, the Chiefs’ defense was actually great last week. Allowing 24 points to the Bills isn’t something to ignore. Plus, the Chiefs will be returning two defensive starters this week: cornerback Trent McDuffie and linebacker Willie Gay. I think the Chiefs will actually do a good job containing the 49ers’ running game which only went for 50 yards last week, and will frustrate quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo who threw two picks last week.

So if it’s a defensive game, then it really comes down to which offense can overcome that at the end of the day. I know which offense I’m taking. The one that leads the league in scoring and features the best quarterback in the league.

Chiefs 20, 49ers 17