49ers-Chiefs predictions: The Brock Purdy to George Kittle connection will be too much for Kansas City

The San Francisco 49ers (3-3) could have had an advantage entering Sunday with ten days off since their last game. That advantage, however, is lost, as the Kansas City Chiefs (5-0) come to Santa Clara off of their bye week.

The Chiefs' last game was Week 5, when they beat the New Orleans Saints by a final score of 26-13, the biggest win of the season so far for Kansas City. Despite the perfect record, the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes have shown some vulnerability. Mahomes has thrown an interception in every game this season, with six interceptions in the team's first five games.

The 49ers are a week and a half removed from their most important win of the early season. San Francisco secured its first NFC West win of the season up in Seattle with a 36-24 victory, the 49ers' highest point output on the season. San Francisco has yet to win consecutive games this season and will have a tough matchup against the Chiefs to try to win back-to-back games.

Despite Kansas City being undefeated, FanDuel gives the home team a slight advantage:

Spread: 49ers (-1.5) Moneyline: 49ers (-116), Chiefs (-102) Over/under: 47.5

Andrew Pasquini: 49ers 27, Chiefs 20

There's a universe somewhere where San Francisco enters this game undefeated, and Kansas City is the .500 team. Unfortunately, our universe has a 3-3 49ers team. Patrick Mahomes hasn't been near his top form this season, giving me the slightest of hopes the 49ers can pull this game out. I am sick and tired of watching the 49ers give Mahomes their best shot only to come up on the losing side. Sunday, the 49ers will finally find out what it's like to defeat Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.

Marc Delucchi: 49ers 28, Chiefs 24

It's hard to imagine the Niners having a more emotionally charged regular-season game this year. They are trying to get back above .500 after an extremely disappointing start to the season while facing off against a team that just defeated them in the Super Bowl for the second time in five years. Oh yeah, and a rookie first-round pick who was shot last month might be making his NFL debut. Kansas City has looked flawed so far this season, but they are 5-0. While I'd probably pick Kansas City in a postseason scenario, I think the 49ers will simply want this game more. Plus, they'll have home-field advantage.

Patrick Holloway: Chiefs 31, 49ers 24

Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice...

Sorry, 49ers fans. We all know who I'm rooting for, but if I'm a betting man, I'm going with the Chiefs. Every game against the Chiefs in the Kyle Shanahan era has been a heart-shattering disappointment (the two Super Bowls) at best or an absolute disaster (the 2018 Jimmy Garoppolo ACL game, the 2022 game) at worst.

When the 49ers lost the Super Bowl, I warned everyone I would be picking against them at some point during the year just to keep my sanity and hold my disappointment. Yes, I was impressed last week. Yes, there has been progress for Nick Sorensen and the 49ers as a whole. No, I don't think they are "back" yet.

I really want to be pleasantly surprised here. I want to see them be the better team (which they are) and have Brock Purdy blow up and show us how much he's learned over the last three seasons. I'd love to see Brandon Aiyuk out of the doghouse, and Ricky Pearsall beat the man coverage he was drafted to shred. The 49ers' file of exploits says it's not happening, so let's not get our hopes up.

I also know Kyle Shanahan's 49ers have flaws, something that Andy Reid has been happy to take advantage of. Chiefs are going to take over in the second half, and the 49ers will be unable to keep up. Then, we can overreact to our heart's content afterward.

Rohan Chakravarthi: Chiefs 23, 49ers 20

The Kansas City Chiefs don't have the same feel as they did a few years ago when they were blowing out opponents with a high-octane offense. Instead, four of their five games this year have been decided by one score, while the Chiefs have yet to crack 30 points.

But they have the best game manager in the league in Patrick Mahomes, who finds a way to navigate, whether he's up or down, and ultimately ends up with wins in those environments.

When it comes to the 49ers, they need to start off fast but capitalize on enough opportunities early. This Chiefs team isn't equipped to come back from a big lead. Unfortunately, with the way they've played this year, especially in the red zone, I don't see San Francisco doing enough early to shut this one down and instead have a lower-scoring one-score game.

With some field goals on both sides, give me the Chiefs to win 23-20 in a tight battle.

Jason Aponte: 49ers 27, Chiefs 24

Yes, I might be borderline delusional to think the 49ers find a way to get out of Levi's with a win, but the 49ers offense will do just enough to gain their first win over the Chiefs during the Patrick Mahomes era. Steve Spagnoulo will give the 49ers' offense some fits, but without L'Jarius Sneed, the 49ers' weapons will have their chances on Sunday. I expect Kyle Shanahan to pinpoint the Chiefs linebackers and force them to cover. George Kittle will benefit the most from this.

Unfortunately, the 49ers won't be able to put this game away, but lucky for them, the Chiefs' red zone offense is just as bad this season. Bend but don't break will be the way for the 49ers to stop Kansas City, but field goals alone won't be able to beat Mahomes and the Chiefs. The Niners score three touchdowns with two field goals and do just enough on defense.

Kyle Posey: 49ers 23, Chiefs 13

There are two scenarios when you want to back Kyle Shanahan. One of them is when their backs are against the wall. They passed that test, albeit against a lowly New England Patriots team.

Oddly enough, the other time you can confidently back the 49ers is against teams with winning records — specifically when the game is at Levi's Stadium.

Despite the Chiefs coming off a bye, this game means much more to the home team. Kansas City could lose this game and be unaffected. If the Niners lose, they're behind the 8-ball once again and under .500.

The vibes will be high if Ricky Pearsall plays . He might have to with Jauan Jennings banged up. Jordan Mason's presence will help, but this has the makings of a Brock Purdy breakout game . George Kittle should have a field day against the middle of the Chiefs' defense. As always, it'll come down to whether the Niners can convert their red zone opportunities into touchdowns.

JuJu Smith-Schuster popped up on the injury report with a mid-week hamstring injury. He's the only wide receiver Patrick Mahomes seems to trust outside of Xavier Worthy. If JuJu is out, the Chiefs will play the game between the numbers, which plays right into the hands of the 49ers defense.

Expect a low-scoring game with an unusual number of punts from two of the better offensive minds in the sport. Based on the spot, this is a game that means more to the 49ers, and that should show on Sunday.