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The San Francisco 49ers face the Kansas City Chiefs

The San Francisco 49ers face the Kansas City Chiefs

Week 7 could be the best game this season at Levi’s Stadium as the Kansas City Chiefs come to town.

Patrick Mahomes and Co. are 5-0, one of two undefeated teams in the NFL.

Fans probably remember the last time these two got together. It was February in the desert and there was a big trophy at stake.

They played more than four quarters. Does this sound familiar?

Right from the start, the game is not worth revenge for the defeat in Super Bowl 58. A win in Week 7 of the regular season will never compare to winning a Lombardi Trophy.

“It’s not like we can take revenge for losing in a Super Bowl,” Trent Williams said. “The ship has sailed.”

This game will serve as an indicator of how good this 49ers team can be. A win over an undefeated team led by the best quarterback of this generation is a really good way to jump-start a winning streak in the most difficult part of the schedule.

San Francisco is in first place in the NFC West, but this division could be a rollercoaster ride all season. Now it’s time for them to prove that they are the frontrunners.

Here are three things to watch out for in Week 7.

Ricky Pearsall’s NFL debut

The 49ers’ first-round pick Ricky Pearsall will make his NFL debut against the Chiefs. Sunday marks 50 days since he was shot during an attempted robbery in San Francisco’s Union Square.

The team opened its practice window earlier this week and had three weeks to activate him or he would be lost for the season. Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch wasted no time.

“It was great to see him out there,” Shanahan said Friday. “I think the boys were more happy for him that he could come back and be a part of it. He’s had a heck of a week and we’re just thrilled to have him out there.”

Pearsall’s activation comes at a good time, as the Niners’ leading receiver Jauan Jennings is out Sunday with a hip injury sustained during the Thursday Night Football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 6.

Protect the kicker

At current rates, the 49ers will have 12 different kickers by the end of the season. Former Green Bay Packers kicker Anders Carlson was signed and activated by San Francisco this week and will start Sunday.

He will start in place of Matthew Wright. Wright already filled in for starting kicker Jake Moody, who injured his ankle in Week 5 against the Cardinals.

Why are these kickers getting hurt? They keep trying to make tackles. Both Moody and Wright were injured while trying to knock down a ball carrier. Kyle Shanahan was asked if Carslon would be allowed to make a tackle on Sunday.

“That is definitely allowed, but only in an emergency. So I hope he doesn’t attack anything, but if you choose to just give up a touchdown or not, we’ll always choose not to give up the touchdown, but hopefully he can stay out of harm’s way.”

Forget tackling. Carlson missed a crucial kick in the NFC Divisional playoff game at Levi’s last January that helped the 49ers advance. He went 27-33 for Green Bay last season, prompting them to look elsewhere this time around.

In what could be a close game, it could come down to his leg.

Kelce vs. Warner

Taylor Swift may not be at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday, but unfortunately for the 49ers, her boyfriend will be. Travis Kelce played a crucial role in the Chiefs’ decisive game in the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl.

He had nine catches for 93 yards in this game and will likely be a key part of the offense this Sunday. Fred Warner had the responsibility of defending Kelce frequently in the Super Bowl. KPIX asked him earlier this week what it was like taking on him.

“It’s not fun,” Warner said. “The connection between him (Kelce) and Pat (Mahomes) is the best we have ever seen. We have to be there.”

The Chiefs were plagued with injuries on offense. Rashee Rice is out for the season. Isaiah Pacheco has been out for weeks and will not return for this game. After a slow start to the year, Kelce recorded seven-plus catches and at least 70 yards in two straight games.

Quote of the week

One of the fastest men in the NFL will play in Sunday’s game. Rookie receiver Xavier Worthy set the Combine’s 40-yard dash record with a time of 4.21 seconds. Deommodore Lenoir doesn’t seem to mind.

“I’m always up for the challenge,” he said. “You’re putting anyone before me. It could be my grandma right there, she’ll get the same job.”

Statistics of the week

4:0.

Patrick Mahomes’ career record against the San Francisco 49ers. Two of those four wins happened to come in the Super Bowl. Nick Bosa is ready to finally dethrone him in this competition.

“The team we haven’t beaten since I’ve been here,” he said. “I’m definitely trying to get the monkey off our backs.”

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