49ers vs. Chiefs preseason preview: Can Jimmy Garoppolo bounce back?
By Peter Panacy
Preseason Week 2 By the Numbers
OK, it’s preseason narrative time. One can only take so much away from exhibition contests, although Week 3 of this phase most resembles what fans will witness in the regular season.
The 2018 Chiefs were known for two things, primarily: boasting a potent and record-setting offense, while having arguably the worst defense in the NFL.
Just check out the rankings:
- Points scored — first (565 points)
- All-purpose yards — first (6,810 yards)
- Points allowed — 24th (421 points)
- All-purpose yards allowed — 31st (6,488)
Patrick Mahomes and Co. were still able to generate such a whopping offensive attack, good enough to lead Kansas City to a 12-4 record and first-round bye in the playoffs before being stymied by the eventual Super Bowl-winning New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game.
But there’s a hitch in the Chiefs numbers. Last season, K.C. was tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the most sacks in the league with 52, yet those numbers didn’t translate over to defensive success.
Considering how much effort the Niners put into their own pass rush this offseason, this particular stat could be somewhat worrisome.
About that 49ers defense, well, it wasn’t particularly great in 2019. San Francisco forced just seven turnovers, of course, and had just two interceptions. Both set record lows for teams in the modern era in a non-strike-shortened season.
And overall, the Niners boasted the NFL’s fifth worst scoring defense last year, allowing a total of 435 points.
Even though this is just a preseason bout, fans could groan a bit if Mahomes and the Chiefs offense pick apart San Francisco’s defense with ease over those first two quarters on Saturday.