Kansas City Chiefs: Behind Enemy Lines With The San Francisco 49ers

When watching the Week 1 game, the 49ers defensive line looked explosive. Are they going to be able to get some pressure on Patrick Mahomes?

CW: After drafting defensive linemen in the first round of three straight drafts, the 49ers have a lot of talent on their defensive line; unfortunately, they’ve yet to find a competent edge rusher. San Francisco is able to get pressure from the interior of their defensive line, but they lack the outside pass rush necessary to take their defense to the next level. If defensive tackle DeForest Buckner isn’t able to log another multi-sack game, look for defensive coordinator Robert Saleh to scheme pressure through his use of inside linebacker and cornerback blitzes.

Do the 49ers have a secondary to slow down this Kansas City offense?

CW: Does any NFL secondary have the speed to keep up with the Chiefs’ wide receivers? San Francisco’s cornerbacks are going to need to use their relative size advantage to press Kansas City’s wideouts at the line, because they certainly don’t want them running free down the field, given Mahomes’ big arm.

It will be interesting to see how the Chiefs decide to attack the Niners’ secondary. So far, 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman has yet to be tested by an opposing offense, with quarterbacks preferring to target fellow corner, Ahkello Witherspoon. Witherspoon, who has been dealing with an ankle injury, hasn’t responded well and could be replaced by defensive back Jimmie Ward on Sunday. Will Sherman finally get challenged by the Chiefs’ speedy receivers, or will Mahomes also steer clear of Sherman’s side of the field?