49ers defense next big challenge for Chiefs | KCSN Daily 10.19
Plus injury report, latest podcasts, transactions and more Chiefs news.
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The San Francisco 49ers’ defense ranks No. 1 in the league in a number of different statistical categories. One of the eye-popping ones is that they’re allowing just 249.2 total yards of offense on average — and they’ve done so with injuries to some key defenders.
“Their front is special, and their linebackers are special,” Chiefs HC Andy Reid said. “Their back end (defensive backs) – when they’re healthy – they’ve got good play. Then they’ve brought in some guys that are new that are playing fast. I think (49ers Defensive Coordinator) DeMeco (Ryans) has done a nice job of teaching the basics to these guys so they can play fast and that’s the thing that jumps out at you. You expect the new guys to be a little hesitant coming in but they’re flying around and making plays.”
The offensive line was challenged facing the Bills in Week 6 and things won’t get any easier for them this week.
“Yeah – they’re well coached,” Trey Smith told reporters. “That’s the first thing for starters. They do a lot of different things. They play very violently, physically and they play fast. When you have a group and a combined effort like that it’s going to lead to great things. It’s going to be a tremendous challenge up front. They have a lot of really good players as well – guys like (49ers DE Nick) Bosa, (40ers DE) Arik Armstead (and) some young guys they brought in as well, but they are a very talented group. It’s going to be a challenge up front.”
The team isn’t shying away from the challenge. They know that to be the best, you have to go up against and defeat the best. It’s all about preparing the right way and ensuring that they’re putting themselves in the best position to win.
“Yeah, it’s a heck of a challenge to go up against the best and that’s what you want to do,” Patrick Mahomes said. “You want to prepare yourself to be in those situations towards the end of the season and hopefully in the playoffs, and so for us, we just have to accept it every week to know that we’re going to play the best teams week in and week out because of the past success that we’ve had. It’s been a great challenge for us, and I think the team has responded well.”
KC Laboratory - Where Chiefs can improve following loss vs. Bills:
KCSN’s Kent Swanson, Craig Stout, and Matt Lane give their key takeaways from the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills game from Sunday and discuss the areas of improvement for the Chiefs.
Wednesday Injury Report:
Chiefs:
DNP: CB Rashad Fenton (Hamstring), LG Joe Thuney (Ankle) and DE Mike Danna (Calf).
LP: S Bryan Cook (Concussion).
FP: K Harrison Butker (Ankle), Trey Smith (Pectoral), WR Mecole Hardman (Heel), and CB L’Jarius Sneed (Knee).
49ers:
DNP: CB Charvarius Ward (Groin), S Talanoa Hufanga (Concussion), DE Sampson Ebukam (Achilles), DT Arik Armstead (Foot) and RT Mike McGlinchey (Calf).
LP: S Jimmie Ward (Hand), LT Trent Williams (Ankle), DE Nick Bosa (Groin) and LB Drake Jackson (Knee)
FP: LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (knee), TE Tyler Kroft (knee), and TE Charlie Woerner (shoulder).
Key:
DNP (Did Not Participate), LP (Limited Participant), FP (Full Participant), NIR (Not Injury Related).
Notes:
The Chiefs are not required to list the practice status of CB Trent McDuffie until he’s been activated to the 53-man roster.
Transactions:
10/18 - Signed to practice squad - CB Dicaprio Bootle (Read more here)
10/19 - Signed by Vikings from Chiefs’ practice squad - DE Benton Whitley (Read more here)
KCSN Update:
KCSN’s BJ Kissel sits down with X's and O's guru Brett Kollmann to talk about his takeaways from the Kansas City Chiefs' loss to the Buffalo Bills and discuss what the Chiefs can do to get better and make things easier on Patrick Mahomes. Later, the focus on how the Chiefs match up with the San Fransisco 49ers.
One On One:
Former Chiefs OL Jeff Allen and DT Mike DeVito break down the Kansas City Chiefs showdown with the Buffalo Bills and talk about how the team and fans shouldn't be discouraged by the outcome. Later, the guys look ahead to next week's game against the San Fransisco 49ers.
Quotable:
“Yeah, listen I think he’s going to continue to grow through the season. I think the more he plays, the better he’s going to get, the more familiar he’ll become, the faster he’ll play. All those things that take place with young (players). We’ll give him a little bit more every week and he’s been doing fine with it, yeah.” - Andy Reid on increased repetitions for Skyy Moore
“Yeah. It’s funny, after the game, Tommy (Townsend) told Matt (Wright) that, ‘You should keep that ball that you made the 59-yard field goal with – get it painted – Chiefs record.’ And Matt said – funny enough – to him, ‘Oh, I’m not going to get that because Butker’s going to break it the next week.’ So, it kind of came true, and I was able to break that record, but it is funny. A lot of guys were saying to me about Matthew breaking the record in basically his second game here. As a kicker, you can only do as best as you can with the opportunities you’re given, right? So, ‘Oh Matthew Wright broke the record,’ I can’t force (Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator Dave) Toub or (Head Coach Andy) Reid to put me out there for a longer field goal – that’s just kind of what the game provided me. Tommy and James (Winchester) did a great job, and I was able to go hit it.” - Harrison Butker on beating Matthew Wright’s record-setting field goal a week later
Quick Hits:
From KCSN: Check out this video recapping the KCSN golf tourney!
From Travis Kelce: Why did Travis Kelce restructure his contract — well it was a no-brainer for him. But why did the Chiefs opt to pay him money up front? He feels like it’s foreshadowing Brett Veach making a roster move — one that Kelce hopes is to go out and sign free agent WR Odell Beckham Jr.
From Odell Beckham Jr.’s agent (probably): With all of the smoke surrounding the Chiefs and Beckham Jr. right now, they’re capitalizing by stoking the flames. PFN’s Aaron Wilson reports that the Chiefs are regarded as a “strong contender” for Beckham Jr.'s services.

Important dates ahead:
Sunday, Oct. 23 at 3:25 p.m. CT - Week 7: Chiefs vs. 49ers - Levi's Stadium - Santa Clara, CA
Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 3:00 p.m. CT - NFL Trade Deadline
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