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49ers vs. Chiefs: Top 5 things to watch for in preseason, Week 1

By Peter Panacy

KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 16: Wide receiver Dexter McCluster #22 of the Kansas City Chiefs picks up a first down between defenders Craig Dahl #43 and Perrish Cox #20 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first half on August 16, 2013 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 16: Wide receiver Dexter McCluster #22 of the Kansas City Chiefs picks up a first down between defenders Craig Dahl #43 and Perrish Cox #20 of the San Francisco 49ers during the first half on August 16, 2013 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 01: Offensive Coordinator Kyle Shanahan watches a Super Bowl LI practice on February 1, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 01: Offensive Coordinator Kyle Shanahan watches a Super Bowl LI practice on February 1, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Head Coach Kyle Shanahan’s Scheme in Action

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

Rarely do teams open up the entire playbook for preseason games, and it’s anyone’s guess how much we’ll actually see of head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense.

There are two arguments here. The traditional route suggests Shanahan will want to withhold using some of his better plays, electing instead to save them for the regular season.

At the same time, especially since Shanahan’s offense is very complex, it makes sense for the head coach to ensure his offensive players get more chances to execute on every level to gain the necessary familiarity with the system.

There have been numerous instances this offseason where it’s apparent the offense is far behind the defense, in terms of both personnel and capability.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs still boast one of the better defenses in the NFL, and it’s going to be a challenge for the 49ers offense even if it’s just an exhibition bout.

We’ll see if Shanahan’s play-calling is of the “vanilla” variety, or if the execution is trying out some of the more complicated aspects of the playbook, hoping to reap the practice benefits as a result.