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The Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers will play their first preseason game on Saturday night. It's time to continue our NFL odds series and make a Chiefs-49ers prediction and pick.
Both of these teams have high expectations coming into the 2021 season. The Chiefs just made back-to-back Super Bowl appearances, and anything short of another would come as a disappointment. The Niners are hoping to forget the 2020 season, as they suffered through an insane amount of injuries on their way to missing the postseason. Both of these rosters are complete, but there are still some position battles left to figure out before the regular season comes around.
Here's how the bookmakers have set the lines for Saturday's game.
NFL Odds: Chiefs-49ers Odds
Kansas City Chiefs +1 1/2 (-105)
San Francisco 49ers -1 1/2 (-115)
Over 38 points (-125)
Under 38 points (+105)
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Why The Chiefs Could Win
The Chiefs spent a significant amount of cap space and draft capital on their offensive line, determined to patch up a position group that essentially cost them the Super Bowl. Their efforts show here, as their depth in that area is superb. Besides the starters, the Chiefs have several experienced backups who will take the field on Saturday. Center Austin Blythe spent his rookie contract starting for the Los Angeles Rams, and he should lead a great second-string offensive line against the Niners.
Kansas City isn't known for their defense, but their depth on that side of the ball is impressive. This is particularly true for the secondary, as they have several backups who would have a real chance of starting on worse teams. Former first-round picks Mike Hughes and DeAndre Baker will both play in this game, as well as safeties Armani Watts and Will Parks. All of these players have been in starting lineups around the league throughout their careers, so the second-team San Francisco offense should have trouble against this group.
Why The 49ers Could Win
This isn't something that can be said very often, but the 49ers have a better quarterback situation than the Chiefs in this game. It's safe to assume that Patrick Mahomes won't play at all, while highly-touted rookie Trey Lance is likely to see the field. Lance has been incredible throughout training camp, and that momentum could carry over into this game. The Niners still have an advantage at quarterback even after Lance is inevitably pulled, as Nate Sudfeld is a half-decent backup. San Francisco's signal-callers should be able to take care of the football and make the easy plays, which is about all it takes to win a preseason game.
Whoever is playing quarterback for the Niners will have plenty of help around him. San Francisco has a great stable of backup wide receivers, as Jalen Hurd, Trent Sherfield, and Jauan Jennings are all promising players. The Chiefs may be deep in the secondary, but this receiving corps will give them all they can handle.
The 49ers are also incredibly deep at running back. After drafting rookie Trey Sermon in the third round, this team now has four running backs on roster who could carve out roles with most other teams. The offense has plenty of tools to work with, and I expect the Kansas City front seven to struggle with the Kyle Shanahan-led run game.
Final Chiefs-49ers Prediction & Pick
This is a fairly easy pick. The Niners have a massive advantage at quarterback, and the second string offense looks like it could give some starting defenses trouble. The Chiefs don't have the defensive pieces necessary to stop this offense, or the firepower to keep up with them. The Niners should take this Super Bowl rematch with ease.
FINAL PICK: San Francisco 49ers -1 1/2 (-115)
