THE MATCH-UP
The Chiefs return to Arrowhead Stadium to host San Francisco Sunday, October 1st after enjoying a bye last weekend. Dating back to ‘90, the Chiefs own an 11-6 (.647) record in games following a bye. Kansas City is still seeking its initial regular season victory under head coach Herm Edwards.
The Chiefs are coming off a tough 9-6 OT loss at Denver (9/17). After losing starting QB Trent Green to a head trauma in a 23-10 setback on Opening Day vs. Cincinnati (9/10), the Chiefs battled the Broncos to a 6-6 tie after 60 minutes of play behind backup QB Damon Huard at INVESCO Field. Denver won the toss in OT and claimed a 9-6 victory thanks to a 39-yard FG from K Jason Elam in the extra period.
Huard is expected to make his initial home start with the Chiefs this week and has one of the NFL’s top rushing attacks at his disposal. KC is currently tied for fifth in the league in rushing, averaging 129.0 yards per game on the ground thanks in large part to Pro Bowl RB Larry Johnson who leads the NFL in yards from scrimmage (rushing and receiving), averaging 157.5 yards per contest.
Despite suffering a loss at Denver, Kansas City turned in one of its most dominant defensive performances in recent memory against the Broncos. The Chiefs held a 3-0 lead at halftime, marking the first time the franchise had pitched a first-half shutout at Denver since ‘61 and the initial time KC defense didn’t permit a TD at Denver since ‘71. The Chiefs are currently seventh in the NFL in total defense, permitting just 277.0 ypg and are tied for 10th in scoring defense, allowing 16.0 ppg.
The 49ers are currently 1-2 and are coming off a 38-24 home setback vs. Philadelphia (9/24). SF registered a 20-13 home win vs. St. Louis (9/17) after dropping a 34-27 decision at Arizona (9/10) on Opening Day. Following the 49ers game, KC embarks on a two-game road swing with games at Arizona (10/8) and at Pittsburgh (10/15), marking KC’s first visits to both Cardinals Stadium and Heinz Field.
THE SERIES
Kansas City has faced San Francisco just nine times in regular season play, with the 49ers holding a 6-3 advantage. The home team has won the last six contests in this series with the Chiefs claiming victories in the last two outings between these two squads at Arrowhead, including a 44-9 victory in San Francisco’s most recent trip to Kansas City (11/30/97).
The 49ers have won their last two regular season meetings with the Chiefs, both of which came at 3Com Park. The last Chiefs-49ers contest resulted in a 17-13 win by the 49ers at San Francisco (11/10/02). KC’s only regular season win at SF came by a 26-17 score (12/6/71).
The opinions offered in this column do not necessarily reflect those of the Kansas City Chiefs.
