San Francisco 49ers: Focus On Seven Key Issues Against The Kansas City Chiefs
The San Francisco 49ers travel to Kansas City to play the Chiefs. When the NFL schedule first came out, I counted this game as a 49er win. However, that may not be the case. The bottom line is winning in Kansas City will be a lot tougher than most experts originally expected.
The Niners are off to an 0-2 start. After a horrible opening game against Seattle, the 49ers played a spirited game on Monday Night Football, against the Saints. Although the Niners came up on the short end of a 25-22 score, there was plenty to like about that game.
If San Francisco can come into Kansas City with the same focus, intensity and execution that they played with against the Saints, they have a great chance to win this game.
I have isolated ten key points to concentrate on when watching this game. How the 49ers do with these seven factors will determine the outcome of this game.
1) The 49ers Must Eliminate Costly Turnovers
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The San Francisco 49ers outplayed the New Orleans Saints this past Monday night. Simply put, turnovers cost them the game. The task will not get any easier this Sunday.
The Kansas City defense has shown a propensity for creating key turnovers that were instrumental in their first two wins. Against San Diego, the Chiefs recovered a Ryan Matthews fumble to thwart a drive and help preserve their 21-14 upset victory.
Against the Cleveland Browns, the Chiefs scored a touchdown on a Brandon Flowers interception return. Since this defensive score was the Chiefs' only touchdown, this was obviously a critical play. Kansas City also recovered a fumble against the Browns.
The Chiefs have an opportunistic defense that has made big plays to help them get off to a 2-0 start. They have held both San Diego and Cleveland to only 14 points each, in their two prior games.
The Niners must take care of the football and eliminate the turnovers that have cost them dearly in their first two games.
2) The San Francisco 49ers Must Find A Way To Win On The Road
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The San Francisco 49ers were only 2-6 on the road last season. Already in 2010, they have lost their only road tilt, a stinker against the Seattle Seahawks.
The 49ers played an emotionally charged game on Monday night. They now must travel to Kansas City with a short week of preparation. Head coach Mike Singletary and his staff will need to get the 49ers ready for this game.
The Chiefs are much improved and also have a bye next week. They will go into this game knowing they have a chance to start 3-0. Because of this, they will be focused and ready to play.
Offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye had problems getting the plays into quarterback Alex Smith in the Niners' opening road game at Seattle. This was not an issue on Monday night, but that game was in San Francisco.
The Kansas City crowd will be very loud and make it difficult for the 49ers to have effective communication. Jimmy Raye is on the hot seat right now. He cannot afford to have the same kinds of problems the 49ers encountered in Seattle.
Jimmy Raye and defensive coordinator Greg Manusky will need to put together effective game plans and get their units to execute them well.
3) The 49er Defense Will Need To Shut Down The Kansas City Running Attack
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Kansas City will use a two headed rushing attack against the 49ers. Thomas Jones and Jamaal Charles are the two main running backs for the Chiefs. While neither player is a household name, both are effective runners.
Charles led the way against the Chargers with 92 yards on 11 carries, including a 56 yard touchdown run. Jones was the leading ball carrier in game two against the Browns, as he rushed for 83 yards.
Kansas City relies heavily on their ground game, as quarterback Matt Cassell has yet to get on track. In two games thus far, Cassell is 26-50 for 244 yards. He also has only one touchdown, against two interceptions.
The strength of the 49er defense is their run defense. The defensive line is stout, with Aubrayo Franklin, Justin Smith and Isaac Sopoaga anchoring the line. The linemen occupy the blockers leaving the 49er linebackers, led by Patrick Willis, to make the majority of the tackles.
Patrick Willis is arguably the best linebacker in football and he leads a defense that has given up only 63.5 yards per game. I believe the Niners will be able to stifle the Chief ground attack and force Matt Cassell to beat them through the air.
On paper, this should favor the 49ers. Football games, however, are not played on paper.
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4) Get Michael Crabtree More Involved In The 49er Game Plan
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Michael Crabtree did not play in any 49er preseason games. This proved to be a key factor in two interceptions Alex Smith threw in game one against Seattle. Smith and Crabtree were not in sync and that can be attributed to Crabtree's absence in the preseason contests.
Against the Saints, this past Monday, there was a glimmer of hope. Alex Smith hit Crabtree on a mid range post route. Crabtree spun away from his defender and turned a modest gain into a 32 yard pickup.
The 49ers will need to get Crabtree involved in the offense, as he has only three receptions on the year. Michael Crabtree is one of the top play makers for the 49ers. If Alex Smith and Crabtree can connect early and often for the 49ers, it will definitely open up their offense.
5) The Offensive Line Must Perform In A Hostile Environment
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The San Francisco 49er offensive line made great strides against the Saints. The line opened running lanes for Frank Gore and we saw that he is still an elite back in the NFL. Against New Orleans, this past Monday night, Gore rushed 20 times for 112 yards and a touchdown.
The offensive line also did a stellar job of pass protection against the Saints. The line seems to be jelling and gave Smith time to throw. He was not sacked, even though New Orleans employed several blitz packages. Smith responded with one of his best games as a pro.
The 49er line had trouble in the opener at Seattle. They had problems with the snap count, as they committed false start penalties and were not able to get off the ball well. In a hostile Arrowhead Stadium, the Niner line must do a better job in this road test at Kansas City.
6) The 49er Special Teams Must Do Better Against The Chiefs
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Special teams mistakes, coupled with four turnovers, doomed the 49ers on Monday night. The Niners gave up a big punt return to Reggie Bush and a huge kickoff return by Courtney Roby, which gave the Saints great field position, setting up their final drive.
The usually reliable Andy Lee had a poor game punting the football. On the free kick, after the safety, Lee shanked it, giving the Saints excellent field postion. He also out kicked his coverage on the Bush return. The Niner punt coverage gunners were also unable to get free from their blockers and were ineffective.
Mistakes also arose in the 49er return game. Delanie Walker brought the opening kickoff back near midfield, but an illegal block pushed the Niners back to their own ten.
Late in the game, punt return man Phillip Adams, who was filling in for the injured Ted Ginn, muffed a punt deep in 49er territory. Only a heroic defensive effort held the Saints to a field goal.
Special teams were a major area of concern in the 2009 season. The Niners hired veteran coach Kurt Schottenheimer in the off season to improve their special teams. It's still a work in process. The 49ers can ill afford to make special teams mistakes against Kansas City.
The Chiefs have historically had very good special teams. 2011 is no different. Kansas City already has a punt return for a touchdown, as rookie Dexter McCluster broke one for 94 yards against the Chargers. The speedy McCluster is a threat to go the distance any time he gets his hands on the ball.
The 49ers must contain the Kansas City return game and also not make mistakes when they get their chances.
7) Alex Smith Needs To Build On Monday's Good Performance
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Alex Smith showed signs of growth and maturity against New Orleans, last Monday night. He was poised and led the Niners on a stirring comeback against the world champions. The Niners were ultimately beaten on a last second field goal, but Smith played well.
Smith will need to be effective against the Chiefs, if the 49ers expect to win. The quarterback must prove he can perform in a hostile road environment.
I especially liked Smith's decisiveness and decision making against the Saints. When he found no receivers open, but had running room, instead of trying to force the ball in somewhere, Smith used his legs to make a positive play.
In their final scoring drive, Smith broke the pocket on two separate occasions and ran for key first downs. Smith will need to play with the same confidence and focus on the road against Kansas City.
If Smith plays anywhere near what he did against the Saints, the Niners have a great chance to win this game. If, on the other hand, Smith regresses back to his play against the Seahawks, the Niners will be in big trouble.
Is This A Must Win For The 49ers?
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Is this a must win game for the 49ers?
I must answer with an emphatic no. If the 49ers lose, it will put them at 0-3. However, the NFC West is weak, so they will not be out of it. A victory puts the Niners at 1-2 and gets them right in the thick of things in the division.
Tight end Vernon Davis has guaranteed a 49er victory, so we have nothing to worry about, right?
It's great that Davis believes in his team, but why add fuel to the fire?
Now, it will be up to Davis and the rest of the 49ers to back up this declaration. It will not be easy, but I think the Niners will get it done.
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