49ers vs. Chiefs: 5 most important players for San Francisco in Week 3

The San Francisco 49ers visit the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3 in what figures to be a high-scoring affair, meaning these five players have a lot riding on their shoulders for the contest.

It’s pretty easy to understand why the San Francisco 49ers face a tough task in their Week 3 matchup on the road against the red-hot Kansas City Chiefs, who are coming off back-to-back offensively dominant performances versus the Los Angeles Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers in Weeks 1 and 2, respectively.

All Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes has done during that stretch is toss a mere 10 touchdowns while leading the No. 1-ranked offense in the NFL right now.

And both games on the road too.

Meanwhile, the Niners are coming off performances in which self-inflicted mistakes and sloppy play were thematic. It likely cost head coach Kyle Shanahan’s squad a chance at a win in Week 1 versus the Minnesota Vikings, and defensive lapses nearly squandered a 17-point fourth-quarter lead over the Detroit Lions in Week 2.

If there’s a silver lining for San Francisco, though, it’s the fact the team is 1-1 on the young season. And many of the mistakes are correctable. September is, after all, the NFL’s new preseason, given how little time starters and first-team units spend together in the four-game exhibition period prior to Week 1.

So, perhaps, the Niners have a chance to jell after two challenging contests, even if it means having to take on the hottest of all offenses in the league right now.

While that’s of extreme importance, there are a number of players who’ll need to shine a bit more than the rest on Sunday. With that as a backdrop, here are five players whose efforts will be of the utmost importance for San Francisco in Week 3.