George Kittle is ready and his teammates are excited for an emotional duel against the team that recently owned the 49ers, the Kansas City Chiefs. Can the Niners finally climb the mountain? To achieve victory, they will have to play their best game of the year and overcome the Chiefs’ recent coaching dominance.

49ERS ON OFFENSE

Job no. 1 handles the simulated pressure and blitz packages that Steve Spagnuolo sends to Kyle Shanahan’s offense. Nine unblocked pass rushers on blitzes were instrumental in Kansas City winning the Super Bowl.

This year’s Chiefs will be led by their defense. They are third in team defense and fourth against the run, averaging 3.7 yards per carry. Their last two opponents ran for 55 yards or less. They gave up the fewest rushing yards in the league.

The Niners need to get stronger in the run game to control the clock. Jordan Mason will play, but not 100% with the bad shoulder, so they need to keep an eye on the runs and put some of the load on Isaac Guerendo and Deebo Samuel.

In the passing game, Kansas City brings the Heat to the forefront and plays press coverage, a combination that has caused problems for Brock Purdy in the past. The Chiefs rank 4th in blitz rate, 2nd in pressures and 1st in quarterback knockdowns. They rank 2nd in receiving yards against them. Trent McDuffie now travels to stay at No. 1. 1 WR, he will likely open against Brandon Aiyuk.

The Chiefs have one weakness: 31st in tight end yards against them. Kittle needs to be targeted, so Purdy needs time to throw.

Key match

Dominic Puni and Colton McKivitz vs. Chris Jones

Jones has been a Niner killer in the past. Puni is the best Niner guard he has ever faced. Spagnuolo likes to move Jones outside when passing on third down, and that’s when the Chiefs are unpredictable and dangerous.

The biggest matchup is Shanahan vs. Spagnuolo. Kansas City is 3-0 in recent years.

The Niners need to resolve their red zone issues and will be looking for Kittle.

Ricky Pearsall is making his NFL debut and could contribute in the red zone with his separation and hands. Shanahan will look for opportunities to line up Samuel, Guerendo and Jacob Cowing in space for potentially explosive plays.

Not having Jauan Jennings will impact Niner’s efficiency on 3rd downs.

The kicking game falls to No. 3 placekicker Anders Carlson, released by Green Bay last year. Carlson is only 50% from 40-49 yards, so that could play a role in this game. His career total is 53.

Bosses on the attack

Patrick Mahomes is having a deadly year, the worst of his career. But as Mahomes, he still brings it when he needs to. Jessie Naylor of Last Second Sports points out that although Mahomes opened the game with a passer rating of 55 in the first quarter, he ended it with a rating above 122.

Isiah Pacheco is out, Rashee Rice is gone, Andy Reid has to dig deep into his bag of tricks. He has speedster Xavier Worthy, running back Kareem Hunt and future Hall of Famer Travis Kelce. And Mahomes.

Reid excels in areas where the Niners are most vulnerable. Best in the league in screen design, frequent use of the huddle formations that have given the Niners secondary so much trouble this year, and the use of Kelce over linebackers. Screens for Worthy could become major plays.

Key match

Andy Reid vs. Nick Sorenson

Godzilla vs. Bambi. The Chiefs lost a lot of talent, but they still have Reid and Mahomes. It’s also worth noting that Reid has a win rate of nearly 90% outside of the bye week.

Prediction (2-4)

I’m having a bad year, oh you of little faith. And here I am against the Niners again. The coaching disagreements are simply too great.

I give the Niners a puncher’s chance. If Shanahan can solve pass protection through sim pressure and blitzing and get quick passing scores, the Niners have a real shot. If they can score touchdowns in the red zone, make an explosive play in space, get a key turnover and protect the ball. The shopping list is long, but that’s why this game will require the Niners’ best performance of the year to get the win.

Kansas City is vulnerable, but their defense is outstanding and their coaches are the best in the league.

I’ll be supporting Pearsall and hope he has a few helpful catches. Overall, though, the Niners have to beat what beat them: pressers, simulated pressure, aggressive blitzing, plus Mason isn’t at 100%, Jennings is out, and Aiyuk has McDuffie under control. High order. Plus, Carlson could miss one in the 40s that will hurt. Too much has to go right for the Niners, I’m betting on Reid, Spagnuolo and Mahomes.

Chiefs 23 49ers 17