Week 7 could be the best game played at Levi’s Stadium this season as the Kansas City Chiefs come to town.
Patrick Mahomes and company are one of two undefeated teams left in the NFL at 5-0.
Fans probably remember the last time these two got together. It was in the desert in February and a major trophy was at stake.
They played more than four quarters. Does that ring a bell?
At the very top, the game doesn’t deserve any revenge for the loss in Super Bowl 58. A win in Week 7 of the regular season will never compare to lifting a Lombardi Trophy.
“It’s not like we can get even if we lose in a Super Bowl,” Trent Williams said. “That ship has sailed.”
This game will serve as an indicator of how good this 49ers team can be. A win over an undefeated team led by the best quarterback of this generation is a very good way to get a winning streak going during the toughest part of the schedule.
San Francisco owns the top spot in the NFC West, but this division could be a rollercoaster all season long. Now it’s time for them to prove that they are the best dog.
Here are three things to look out for in week 7.
Ricky Pearsall’s NFL debut
49ers first-round pick Ricky Pearsall will make his NFL debut against the Chiefs. Sunday marks 50 days since he was shot during an attempted robbery in San Francisco’s Union Square.
The team opened its practice window earlier this week and had three weeks to activate him or risk losing him for the season. Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch wasted no time.
“It was great to see him there,” Shanahan said Friday. “I think the boys were more happy for him that he could come back and be part of it. He’s had a great week and we’re really ready to bring him with us.”
Pearsall’s activation comes at an opportune time as Niners leading receiver Jauan Jennings is out Sunday with a hip injury suffered during Week 6’s Thursday Night Football game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Protect the Kicker
At the current rate, the 49ers will have 12 different kickers by the end of the season. Former Green Bay Packers kicker Anders Carlson was signed and activated by San Francisco this week and will start Sunday.
He will start in place of Matthew Wright. Wright already filled in for starting kicker Jake Moody, who injured his ankle in Week 5 against the Cardinals.
Why do these kickers get injured? They keep trying to make tackles. Both Moody and Wright were injured trying to take down a ball carrier. Kyle Shanahan was asked if Carslon could make a tackle on Sunday.
“That’s certainly allowed, but only in an emergency. So I hope he doesn’t attack anything, but if it’s your choice to give up a touchdown or not, then we will always choose not to give up the touchdown but hopefully he can stay out of the danger zone.”
Forget tackling. Carlson missed a crucial kick in the NFC Divisional playoff game at Levi’s last January, allowing the 49ers to advance. He was 27-33 for Green Bay last season, prompting them to look elsewhere this time.
In what could be a tight game, it could come down to his leg.
Kelce vs. Warner
Taylor Swift may not be at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday, but unfortunately for the 49ers, her boyfriend will. Travis Kelce was a crucial part of the Chiefs’ fourth-quarter Super Bowl play.
He had nine catches for 93 yards in that game and will likely be a big part of the offense this Sunday. Fred Warner had the responsibility of defending Kelce a lot in the Super Bowl. KPIX asked him earlier this week what it was like hiring him.
“It’s not fun,” Warner said. “The connection with him [Kelce] and Pat [Mahomes] having is the best thing we’ve ever seen. We’ll have to work on it.”
The Chiefs are dealing with injuries on the offensive end. Rashee Rice is out for the season. Isaiah Pacheco has been out for weeks and will not return to this game. Kelce had seven-plus catches and at least 70 yards in two straight games after a slow start to the year.
Quote of the week
One of the fastest men in the NFL will play in Sunday’s game. Rookie receiver Xavier Worthy set the combine record for 40 yards with a time of 4.21 seconds. Deommodore Lenoir doesn’t seem to mind.
“I’m always up for a challenge,” he said. ‘You put someone in front of me. It could be my grandmother, she gets the same job.’
Statistic of the week
4-0.
Patrick Mahomes’ career record against the San Francisco 49ers. Two of those four wins happened to come in the Super Bowl. Nick Bosa is ready to finally dethrone him in this match.
“The team we haven’t beaten since I’ve been here,” he said. “We’re definitely trying to get the monkey off our backs.”
