Dominick Puni might be the 49ers' X-factor needed to get over Chiefs hump

The 49ers haven't been able to beat the Chiefs in 10 years, and recently, Chris Jones has been a major reason why. But Dominick Puni might change that.

The San Francisco 49ers' Super Bowl dreams over their last two appearances have been absolutely crushed by the Kansas City Chiefs.

While there are plenty of reasons behind the Niners' losses in their two recent bids for the Lombardi Trophy, few stand as big as perennial Pro Bowl defensive tackle Chris Jones.

Jones could have been Super Bowl MVP back in February of 2020, and his interior pressure on then-San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo forced an overthrow and incompletion on a key late-game fourth-down try intended for tight end George Kittle.

49ers fans remember the rest of that painful story.

Then, in Super Bowl 58, quarterback Brock Purdy and the Niners were right up against the goal line and in position to score a key touchdown late. Instead, Jones took advantage of a San Francisco protection gaffe and pressured Purdy into a rushed throw and incomplete pass.

The 49ers settled for a field goal, and Niners fans remember the rest of that particular painful story.

It's pretty clear San Francisco has a problem blocking Jones, and he's made his presence felt every time he's gone up against the 49ers.

With the two teams poised to battle it out in Week 7, the Niners are hoping one of their recent pickups from last spring can reverse the trend.

49ers need Dominick Puni to be their X-factor vs. Chris Jones, Chiefs

Former Kansas offensive lineman Dominick Puni was a rapid riser for San Francisco ever since it selected him in Round 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft back in April.

A day-one starter at right guard, the primary spot where Jones crushed the 49ers offensive line back in February, the hope now is for Puni to fully negate Jones' impact.

So far, it appears as if Puni is equal to the challenge. Through six games, the rookie has yet to allow a sack despite going up against some potent interior defenders, including the New York Jets' All-Pro, Quinnen Williams, back in Week 1.

And Williams was largely a non-factor in that game.

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"I think he has the makings of being a great player," future Hall of Fame left tackle Trent Williams said of Puni, via NBC Sports Bay Area. "He’s a really productive player as a rookie. I don’t think there is a ceiling for how good he can be."

Now, Puni is poised for his next high-profile challenge: preventing Jones, who boasts three sacks and seven quarterback hits this season, to be the impact player KC deploys against Purdy and the 49ers offense.

Judging by how things have gone for the rookie so far, it's fair to assume Puni will be equal to the task.

The Niners and Chiefs square off on Sunday, Oct. 20 at 4:25 p.m. ET from Levi's Stadium.

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