SANTA CLARA — Leave it to cornerback Deommodore Lenoir to remind media members exiting the 49ers locker room Monday that it’s “Chiefs Week.” Enough said, truly. Lenoir did not expand (yet) on this Week 7 matchup of last season’s Super Bowl foes, so we’ll let the 49ers Faithful have their say via social-media requests in this mailbag:
What is the team’s net psychological benefit when they beat the Chiefs this weekend? (@theBQ11)
If they’re speaking a win into existence like you are, then they already have the right mindset. Confidence, if any was lost, surely got restored via last Thursday night’s 36-24 win in Seattle, so look for that to gain steam with another big-win game (not a must-win, but a big booster).
What do you think the 49ers’ offensive backfield is going to look like against the Chiefs? (@michael_budd)
I see Brock Purdy. I see Kyle Juszczyk. I see … Jordan Mason? ’Tis the question of Week 7. Mason, the NFL’s second-leading rusher, wore a no-contact jersey Monday in a positive sign his sprained shoulder is capable of at least some cardio. Whether he practices in pads on Thursday should be a better tell regarding Sunday’s availability. If not, look for a backfield cocktail mixing Deebo Samuel, Isaac Guerendo and Patrick Taylor Jr., plus Purdy improvisation runs.
What things can the Niners do differently to finally beat K.C.? (@sf_game)
This is a loaded question that the 49ers Faithful have spent five years — and Super Bowl defeats in the 2019 and ’23 seasons — supplying answers. Such as: Draw a holding penalty on the Chiefs’ offensive linemen, block Chris Jones, break up deep passes to open speedsters, and (still too soon) tackle Patrick Mahomes on a fourth-down keeper. Oh, and bring touchdowns to a field-goal fight.
How is the progress of players who were injured last Thursday? (@Adler7M)
As noted above, Mason’s status bears close watching as the week progress. Rookie safety Malik Mustapha is battling a low-ankle sprain and replacement kicker Matthew Wright has a shoulder issue, so the 49ers signed safety Adrian Amos and ex-Packers kicker Anders Carlson to the practice squad as contingency plans.
Will a home-field advantage be the difference this time for the 49ers against K.C.? (@MrEd315)
No. The 49ers got run off their home field two Octobers ago by the Chiefs, a 44-23 loss in which Christian McCaffrey made his debut as a reserve two days after flying in via trade. The Levi’s Stadium field last saw the 49ers melt away a 10-point fourth-quarter lead to the Cardinals.
On a scale of 1-10, how worried are we about the O-line against Chris Jones and crew? (@localgoober)
Jones wreaked havoc on the 49ers when their past two Super Bowl meetings were on the line. As for the offensive line, rookie Dominick Puni is genuinely excited to face Jones, after being denied the childhood dream of opposing the recently retired Aaron Donald; Puni grew up in Missouri as a St. Louis Rams fan. As Puni said of Jones: “He just shows up in big moments. That’s his ‘X’ factor.” Jones, a two-time reigning All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler, has three sacks this season, including a strip-sack of Lamar Jackson in the Chiefs’ opening win over the Ravens.
Shaping up to (possibly) one of Kyle’s best draft. Why no love or media stories about Tariq Ahmad? We were all worried what would happen once Peters left, but Ahmad & crew have been exceptional. Can’t wait to read you book, love your work sir! (@510maleake49er)
Really good point about Tariq Ahmad, who got promoted to director of player personnel (along with R.J. Gillen) after three seasons as director of college scouting. This year’s draft class is steeped with heavily experienced college players who all played at least four seasons, and all transferred except Renardo Green (five seasons at Flordia State). Positive plays already have come from Green (fourth-quarter interception Thursday at Seattle), guard Dominick Puni (six starts), safety Malik Mustapha (first-series interception Thursday), running back Isaac Guerendo (99 yards Thursday – yes, big night for the rooks), wide receiver Jacob Cowin (no lost fumbles on punt returns), and linebacker Tatum Bethune (fumble recovery Thursday).
“It’s common now and it gives us more data points and information to gather,” Ahmad said in April of this class’ transfer-portal tendency. “We have a great scouting department that hits everywhere during the fall multiple times, so there is a good line of information we can evaluate.”
With first-round pick Ricky Pearsall resuming practice Monday, the vibes are great with this rookie class, which meets weekly together to enhance their bond and NFL onboarding. Also, kudos to Adam Peters for being a first-time general manager of the first-place Washington Commanders. And thanks for the plug of my new book, The Franchise: San Francisco 49ers which is available in local bookstores and online.
If Pearsall plays Sunday, what do you envision his role being against K.C.? (@SFFootball99)
Ricky Pearsall’s return to practice Monday drew smiles and praise from teammates. He’s only practiced about 1 ½ weeks since training camp opened and since he got shot in the chest Aug. 31 in an attempted robbery. If he plays, he should get about 20 percent of the offensive snaps, those coming from the slot. That said, unless others’ injuries prompt it, don’t be surprised if his delay his pushed until after their Week 9 bye, for a Nov. 10 debut at Tampa Bay.
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Are the refs hellbent on helping the Chiefs? (@sf49erbob)
I would never accuse officials of throwing the game. I would, as a fact-checking reporter, note that the Chiefs’ offense did not draw a single holding penalty in either of their Super Bowl wins over the 49ers in the 2019 and ’23 seasons.
I predict Shanahan, after Sunday, will be 1-4 against Kansas City (@jillsc13)
Kyle Shanahan is 4-0 the week following Thursday night games since 2021; before that, he was 0-4. (Disclaimer: The Chiefs are coming off a Week 6 bye, and Andy Reid is 21-4 after bye weeks.)
My prediction: 49ers 24, Chiefs 16