Chiefs vs. 49ers: Complete Week 5 Preview for Kansas City
From 0-2 to 2-2 through four weeks of football, the Kansas City Chiefs bounced back and look to go above .500 for the first time in the 2014 NFL season. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid must see a big difference from the entire team since Week 1, including the way he has been coaching.
The Chiefs will travel to San Francisco to play the 49ers on Sunday. The 49ers will challenge the Chiefs both offensively and defensively, giving Kansas City another opportunity to make a statement.
The Philadelphia Eagles scored three touchdowns in the first half against San Francisco last week, coming away with touchdowns from a blocked punt, interception return and punt return. Those were the only touchdowns allowed by San Francisco, silencing Philadelphia’s offense.
Kansas City’s offense scored four touchdowns against New England, one per quarter. The Chiefs will be tested offensively going up against a sound and solid 49ers defense.
As for Kansas City’s defense, it faces an offense that is different from every other offense it has gone up against this year. Quarterback Colin Kaepernick makes plays with his arm and feet, forcing the Chiefs to prepare for everything possible.
It will be Alex Smith’s first game back to San Francisco as a visiting quarterback.
Week 4 Recap
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Jamaal Charles and Knile Davis combined for 199 rushing yards, and Travis Kelce, Dwayne Bowe and Donnie Avery combined for 15 catches for 220 receiving yards against the Pats. Alex Smith successfully led a three-dimensional offense, something Chiefs fans have been waiting for since Reid’s arrival.
Smith deserves a lot of credit for getting the offense into a rhythm. He threw three touchdowns and no interceptions for the second consecutive game.
After going three games without a takeaway, the defense terrorized Tom Brady and came away with a fumble recovery and two interceptions.
The Chiefs shined on Monday Night Football. Kansas City dominated on all cylinders in front of a national audience on ESPN.
The team played four quarters of good football all across the board and wants to develop consistency coming off the big 41-14 win.
News and Notes
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Charles in charge
The NFL announced earlier this week that Charles earned AFC Offensive Player of the Week after running for a touchdown and catching two more scores against the Patriots. Charles, who was hurt in the first quarter against Denver in Week 2 and missed the Week 3 contest, was absent for nearly two complete games with an ankle sprain. Chiefs fans and the team were encouraged by his three-touchdown performance; it's as if he never suffered an injury.
Avery out, Jenkins in
Terez Paylor of The Kansas City Star on Thursday that wide receiver Donnie Avery is injured with a core muscle injury. Offensive coordinator Doug Pederson told the media that former 49ers receiver A.J. Jenkins is likely to replace Avery and possibly start on Sunday. Drafted in the first round by San Francisco in 2012, Jenkins was active in only three games, according to SFGate.com. He was on the gridiron for just 37 snaps and targeted only once.
Jenkins was traded to Kansas City last August in exchange for Jon Baldwin, who is no longer with the 49ers. Jenkins has four catches for 16 yards this year.
Donald Stephenson returns
Donald Stephenson rejoined the Chiefs on Wednesday for practice after serving a four-game suspension. How Reid decides to handle Stephenson with the offensive line will be interesting to watch, as the Chiefs were forced to make several changes to the line during his absence. At the moment, the starting offensive line from left to right is Eric Fisher, Mike McGlynn, Rodney Hudson, rookie Zach Fulton and Ryan Harris.
Injury Report
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| Avery, Donnie | WR | Groin | DNP | Out | ||
| Berry, Eric | S | Ankle | DNP | DNP | ||
| Charles, Jamaal | RB | Ankle | LP | LP | ||
| Cooper, Marcus | CB | Knee | - | LP | ||
| Hali, Tamba | LB | Knee | LP | LP | ||
| Smith, Sean | CB | Groin | LP | LP | ||
| Thomas, De'Anthony | RB/ST | Hamstring | FP | FP | ||
| Zombo, Frank | LB | Hamstring | FP | FP |
Rookie running back and return specialist De'Anthony Thomas has fully participated in practice since last Thursday. He was inactive again, delaying his NFL regular-season debut.
If available, he joins an already powerful running back tandem in Charles and Davis. Opposing defenses will not want to deal with Kansas City's group of scatbacks, especially considering how Reid successfully uses running backs.
Chiefs fans will also get a glimpse of what he can do in the return game. He can strive under special teams coordinator Dave Toub.
Injury report from KCChiefs.com.
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Key Matchups and X-Factor
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RBs Jamaal Charles and Knile Davis vs. 49ers defense
You know you have a special group of running backs when they combine for 199 yards on the ground and contribute by taking the pigskin to the end zone on multiple occasions. Reid’s game plan on how he will use Charles and Davis in the offense will be intriguing, as San Francisco will have to be ready for anything.
LT Eric Fisher vs. DE Justin Smith
Every week, I put Eric Fisher on this list. After watching the game against New England again, I scrutinized Fisher closely and couldn’t help but think he looked like a Pro Bowl left tackle, as he's improved drastically this season.
He’s gone up against some pretty good pass-rushers lately in DeMarcus Ware, Olivier Vernon and Chandler Jones. Fisher has another tough task ahead when he faces former Missouri Tiger Justin Smith, who has three sacks to start off the 2014 season. In the end, Fisher has proved himself against some of the best and has a chance to do it again.
OLBs Tamba Hali and Justin Houston vs. OTs Joe Staley and Jonathan Martin
A pass-rusher can make a big difference in a game. Having two pass-rushers can make a huge impact and change the game for the opposing offense. Tamba Hali and Justin Houston will always be tabbed as keys to help the Chiefs each week. San Francisco offensive tackles Jonathan Martin and Joe Staley have struggled to start off the season, allowing 3.5 sacks and committing four penalties combined.
Kaepernick needs his offensive tackles to block in order to allow him to move out of the pocket. If Houston and Hali get around the blockers, Kaepernick must get rid of the ball, or else he will get stuck and eventually sacked by Kansas City’s overriding outside linebackers.
CBs Sean Smith and Marcus Cooper vs. WRs Michael Crabtree and Anquan Boldin
Both Michael Crabtree and Anquan Boldin have gotten off to fast starts with very identical statistics. Boldin leads the team in catches with 231 receiving yards, while Crabtree is behind by just one yard. Crabtree has 24 receptions to Boldin’s 21. Sean Smith and Marcus Cooper know they will get help from Hali and Houston with pressure up front, which makes their jobs a little easier.
X-Factor: WR Dwayne Bowe
The Dwayne Bowe Chiefs fans saw on Monday night is the Dwayne Bowe everyone wants to see each week. Consistency has been an issue for him throughout his career. He has proved that when he gets going, he is impossible to stop. The Chiefs know what they will get from Travis Kelce and the running backs. Against a tough defense, Bowe’s impact and activity can make a big difference.
Prediction
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The big key for the Chiefs is to put pressure on Kaepernick and take away the passing game, which is likely to happen. Kaepernick will find himself scrambling more than he probably will expect to. The Chiefs must be able to stop him from scrambling for a first down. Kansas City’s front seven outside of Hali and Houston must be ready at all times when Kaepernick runs.
Reid and Pederson know what the San Francisco defense is capable of after seeing it pitch a shutout against Philadelphia’s offense last week. With a strong rushing attack that can also contribute through the air and a rising tight end in Kelce, the Chiefs will be able to move the chains and win the time of possession battle.
The 49ers showed signs of breaking late as it happened at home in Week 2 on Monday Night Football against Chicago when the Bears rallied to score three touchdowns in the fourth quarter after being down 20-7.
With a reliable defense, the Chiefs will be presented with opportunities to gain momentum and steal a win on the road to go over .500 heading into the bye week.
Final score: Chiefs 34, 49ers 20
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