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

By Peter Panacy

KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 16: Defensive back Brandon Flowers #24 of the Kansas City Chiefs tackles running back LaMichael James #23 of the San Francisco 49ers for a loss 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: Defensive back Brandon Flowers #24 of the Kansas City Chiefs tackles running back LaMichael James #23 of the San Francisco 49ers for a loss 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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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 09: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings is sacked with the ball by DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 09: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings is sacked with the ball by DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Defensive Tackle DeForest Buckner

While the 49ers can pin hopes for winning on controlling the game clock, their defense will ultimately be asked to step up and make a number of plays throughout the game.

Getting linebacker Reuben Foster back from his two-game suspension is a huge boon for coordinator Robert Saleh’s defense. San Francisco has missed Foster up the middle. That said, Saleh’s best defender, by far, has been defensive tackle DeForest Buckner.

Buckner has already surpassed his 2017 sack totals, picking up another in Week 2 to boast 3.5 on the season.

Patrick Mahomes has yet to show struggles with passing under pressure, and the Chiefs have allowed just two sacks on the season.

Still, Buckner is the Niners’ best disruptor on defense, and few are the quarterbacks who enjoy middle-of-the-formation pass-rushing pressure.

One of the matchups Buckner and the 49ers defense would like to exploit is against Chiefs right guard Cameron Erving, who is arguably the weakest link up front along K.C.’s offensive line.

Let Buckner take over this game, much how now-Chicago Bears EDGE Khalil Mack has done in Weeks 1 and 2.