Point spread, storylines, predictions and more

The two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs travel to Northern California to take on the San Francisco 49ers in the biggest game of NFL Week 7.

This is a rematch of February’s Super Bowl, where Patrick Mahomes led the Chiefs from another 10-point deficit to beat the 49ers in overtime. It’s the second time in the last half decade that the Chiefs have achieved this feat in the big game against San Francisco.

Mahomes and Co. enter Sunday’s affair 5-0 on the season. Together with the Minnesota Vikings, they are the only undefeated team in the NFL.

The home 49ers get a much-needed road win against the Seattle Seahawks. However, they are only 3-3 this season. A big win at home against Kansas City would help San Francisco overcome an inconsistent start to the season.

Here I preview the Chiefs at the 49ers with a look at the point spread, game information and some top storylines. At the end I will also give a final prediction.

Chiefs-49ers preview: point spread, TV information and more

• Date: Sunday, October 20th
• Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
• TV: FOX
• Point spread: 49ers (-1.5)

Top storylines for Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers matchup

There’s a lot to see here. Brock Purdy takes on Patrick Mahomes. The 49ers are looking to avenge February’s brutal Super Bowl loss.

Kansas City is 5-0 this season and once again looks to be the team to beat in the AFC. San Francisco hasn’t played its best football yet. This also includes some breakdowns in defense. These are some of the key storylines for Sunday’s game.

Brock Purdy vs. Patrick Mahomes

The two played some damn good football in Super Bowl LVIII. Purdy completed 23 of 38 passes for 255 yards with one touchdown and zero interceptions. Mahomes countered with nearly 400 total yards of offense and two touchdowns.

However, it was Mahomes who had the last laugh. He led the Chiefs down the field on a game-winning touchdown drive in overtime after Purdy and the 49ers offense had to settle for a field goal to open the final stanza. This drive was capped off by a two-yard touchdown pass from Mahomes to wide receiver Mecole Hardman.

So far this season, you can argue that Purdy is actually playing better football than Mahomes. He completed 65 percent of his passes for 1,629 yards with nine touchdowns and four interceptions. That’s good enough for a QB rating of 100.5. Purdy also leads the NFL in yards per completion and air yards per completion.

As for Mahomes, he’s completing 69 percent of his passes, but the reigning MVP has also thrown just six touchdowns in five games, compared to as many interceptions.

“Everyone says ‘final year’ just because his numbers aren’t crazy, but Pat is as good as it gets,” Shanahan told reporters Wednesday. “From the first year he got to play, he was as good as it gets. All but one of the games this season have come down to the last possession.”

Shanahan knows better than any opposing coach when it comes to Mahomes and the Chiefs. Losing two of the last five Super Bowls to this team will do that. Whether Mahomes can move on from his early-season “struggles” against the 49ers will be one of the main storylines Sunday afternoon at Levi’s Stadium.

Statement game for the San Francisco 49ers

There’s a reason Fox didn’t allow this game to be scheduled Football on Sunday evenings. The network wanted everything to itself. At this point in the season, it is the biggest game on the NFL schedule.

For the 49ers, making a statement would be two-fold. They are at the top of the NFC West with a 3-3 record. A win here would establish a claim to future dominance over this division. Additionally, the Chiefs’ first loss of the season would lend credence to the idea that San Francisco is still a legitimate title contender.

This is the start of a brutal stretch for the 49ers, including a Week 8 home game against the rival Dallas Cowboys. After their bye in Week 9, the 49ers then visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before traveling home in a matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. That will be followed by a two-game road trip with back-to-back matchups against the Green Bay Packers and Buffalo Bills. Not only is it a statement game for the 49ers, it could also be a must-win game.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver situation

Young star wide receiver Rashee Rice is out for the season with a knee injury. This impacts the already small wide receiver room in Kansas City. Rice had caught 24 of 29 targets in four games before he was injured. A rookie season followed in which the embattled youngster caught 79 balls for 938 yards.

With Rice sidelined, Mahomes will rely on a slew of receivers to step up. Kansas City will also likely seek a receiver before the NFL trade deadline on November 5th.

For now, the responsibility falls on first-round rookie Xavier Worthy. The record-setting speedster caught 12 passes for 179 yards in five games. He is a threat when it comes to going the distance on every play. Considering how many great performances the 49ers have had on defense this season, this is definitely something to watch.

Final prediction for the Chiefs at the 49ers

I like that the 49ers maintain home field advantage in this game. While Kansas City itself is coming off a bye, the 49ers still have a few days to work on following their Thursday night win over the Seattle Seahawks. Both teams should start this game fully rested.

I’ll go a little further with my prediction. Brock Purdy will lead San Francisco down the field for a game-winning touchdown after Mahomes gave the Chiefs the lead early in the fourth quarter.