The rematch of Super Bowl LVIII is finally here for the San Francisco 49ers. They will play host to the dreamkilling Kansas City Chiefs in Week 7. A lot is at stake for the 49ers in this game despite it being a regular season game. They can clear the mental hurdle that the Chiefs have on them with a win. It will also mean they will have a winning record for the first time since Week 1. However, defeating the Chiefs will not be attainable if the 49ers’ defense doesn’t prepare well against one aspect.
What the 49ers’ Defense Has to Prepare for Versus the Chiefs
There are plenty of aspects the 49ers’ defense has to account for versus the Chiefs. One aspect that has to be at or near the top of their list is the Chiefs’ screen game. That is a key element of their offense where they find great success. It is also the same element that was gashing the 49ers the last time these two teams met in the regular season two years ago. According to Next Gen Stats, quarterback Patrick Mahomes has targeted a screen route on 18.8 percent of his total attempts this season. That is the highest rate in a season by a qualified quarterback since 2018. Of Mahomes’ 28 completions when targeting screen routes, 19 have resulted in positive EPA (expected points added). Only Justin Herbert (63.6 percent) has recorded a higher success rate when targeting screen routes than Mahomes (63.3 percent) this season.
Screen Time
So, the screen game will be a staple of the Chiefs’ offense against the 49ers. It will be one of their ways to neutralize and slow down the 49ers’ pass rush. They’re going to need it after defensive end Nick Bosa tallied 14 pressures against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 6. He is going to want to find similar success when the Chiefs make their return to Levi’s Stadium. Injuries have taken a massive toll on the once-lethal Kansas City offense. Stalwart running back Isaiah Pacheco is nursing a broken fibula suffered in Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Electric wide receiver Rashee Rice suffered a knee injury in Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers. He has been ruled out for the rest of the 2024 season. Still, they are a force with Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, and head coach Andy Reid leading the way.
Positive Vibes
Plus, they are getting positive impact from rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy, running back Kareem Hunt, and wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. The Chiefs are still finding ways to be efficient at a high level. It’s partly thanks to their screen game, which doesn’t simply go to their running backs. 10 different Chiefs’ receivers have at least one reception on a screen route this season, tied for the most in the NFL with three other teams. The good news is that the 49ers’ defense has allowed 5.4 yards per attempt to screen passes this season. That is the 13th-fewest in the NFL and half a yard fewer than the NFL average (5.9 YPA). It is an area they’re adept at, but they must hone in this week when they face the Chiefs.
Main Photo: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
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