49ers need these 5 players to be on point in Week 7 vs. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs

In a rematch of last February's Super Bowl, the 49ers aim to end a lengthy skid against their biggest nemesis of late, the Chiefs.

If the San Francisco 49ers manage to hand the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs their first loss of 2024, it'll be a small bit of solace for head coach Kyle Shanahan and Co. after what went down last February in Super Bowl 58.

Emphasize small.

The high-profile Week 7 showdown at Levi's Stadium, a rematch of last season's final contest for the Lombardi Trophy, carries plenty of weight for the Niners who aim to get back above the .500 mark for the first time this year since Week 1. After throttling the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football in Week 6, Shanahan can hope his team is trending back in the right direction.

That said, San Francisco hasn't defeated KC since 2014. Going up against perennial MVP candidate, quarterback Patrick Mahomes, won't make matters easier either.

Still, the 49ers should feel confident enough about going toe-to-toe with Mahomes, his weapons and a tough Kansas City defense. The game offers a measuring stick for the Niners, too, with regard to where they stand in the grand scheme of things.

Players ultimately win games, though, and these five from San Francisco will have to bring their A-game to Sunday's showdown.

No. 1: Defensive end Nick Bosa

Week 7 will feature plenty of quarterback discussion: Mahomes, the reigning Super Bowl MVP, and the 49ers' own signal-caller, Brock Purdy, who is arguably playing the best football of his young career.

But the Niners may have to rely more heavily on their defense, meaning defensive end Nick Bosa will be called upon to generate the same kind of pressure he enjoyed against the Hawks the previous week.

While he wasn't rewarded with a sack during that game, Bosa's pocket-wrecking presence made life hell on quarterback Geno Smith, all but derailing the Seahawks' aerial attack.

The challenge will be taking Mahomes down, as KC's offensive line has surrendered a mere nine sacks over five games this season.

No. 2: Quarterback Brock Purdy

Last February, Kansas City defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo frustrated Purdy aplenty during the Super Bowl, changing coverages from zone to more man in-game.

Despite taking the loss, Purdy nevertheless earned Spagnuolo's respect.

Now, the challenge will be whether or not Purdy capitalizes on the previous experience, putting what he learned to use in order not to be phased by the previous challenges.

The Chiefs defense, allowing 6.1 yards per pass play, ranks in the middle of the NFL pack, giving Purdy a chance to outshine Mahomes.

A chance.

No. 3: Right guard Dominick Puni

During San Francisco's last two Super Bowl losses to KC, Pro Bowl defensive tackle Chris Jones made pivotal plays to thwart the 49ers' late-game success.

In response, the Niners drafted offensive lineman Dominick Puni, who has yet to allow a sack this season and has wholly thrived as a rookie starting right guard.

Needless to say, Puni versus Jones will be a key matchup to watch.

"It’ll be a great matchup," Puni told NBC Sports Bay Area. "And I hope he propels me for the rest of the season, too."

If Puni is able to prevent Jones from making such a play in Week 7, perhaps San Francisco reverses its lengthy trend of losing to Kansas City in painful fashion.

No. 4: Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk

Spagnuolo might revert to man coverage again on Purdy and the offense.

If so, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk will have to be the go-to option.

The 49ers extended Aiyuk last offseason for such reasons, not only as their best man-coverage beater but also to come up huge in pivotal games like the one on tap in Week 7. Aside from Week 5's game against the Arizona Cardinals, Aiyuk has largely been quiet this year, statistically.

To date, the pass catcher has just 351 receiving yards and no touchdowns.

Fellow wideouts Deebo Samuel (wrist) and Jauan Jennings (hip) are banged up, meaning even more pressure could fall upon Aiyuk to deliver against a defense that stymied Purdy eight months ago.

No. 5: Cornerback Renardo Green

Mahomes and the offense figure to try taking advantage of the newest link within the Niners secondary, rookie cornerback Renardo Green, who is likely tasked with matching up against Kansas City's own speedy new weapon, rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy.

While undersized, the owner of the NFL Combine's fastest-ever 40-yard dash time is a pinnacle matchup to watch when lining up opposite of Green, who has ascended the depth chart and recorded his first interception in Week 6 against Seattle.

Yes, San Francisco figures to give Green plenty of help over the top, particularly with safeties, Ji'Ayir Brown and Malik Mustapha or George Odum, depending on Mustapha's ankle injury.

With wide receiver Rashee Rice (knee) likely out for the season, and tight end Travis Kelce having a down year, Worthy might be the most potent pass-catching weapon Green and the 49ers defense have to worry about.

The Niners and Chiefs square off on Sunday, Oct. 20 at 4:25 p.m. ET.

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