49ers vs. Chiefs: 5 key Week 3 matchups for San Francisco

By Aaron Tan | Sep 19, 2018

KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 11: Quarterback Tyler Bray #9 of the Kansas City Chiefs passes as defensive end Solomon Thomas #94 of the San Francisco 49ers defends during the preseason game at Arrowhead Stadium on August 11, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

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PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 16: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs drops back to pass in the first half during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on September 16, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo vs. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes

Patrick Mahomes is lighting the league on fire, similar to how Jimmy Garoppolo did at the end of last season for the 49ers.

Mahomes has thrown for a whopping 10 touchdowns and no interceptions and is averaging a 143.3 passer rating.

While he is due for a down game soon, those statistics are absolutely insane.

This Week 3 contest will be a shootout. Mahomes will undoubtedly do his damage to this undermanned 49ers’ secondary (safety Jaquiski Tartt questionable) and Garoppolo and Kyle Shanahan should be able to light up this bottom-ranked Chiefs pass defense, especially with wide receiver Marquise Goodwin most likely coming back this week from a quad injury.

I consider Garoppolo a second-year quarterback, since he has only had 10 starts in this league, and believe that whichever second-year quarterback has the better passing day will win this game.