• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

49ers-Chiefs Preview

Sep 22, 2010 - 6:02 PM By JUSTIN EINHORN STATS Senior Editor

Some may argue the San Francisco 49ers have played better than the Kansas City Chiefs through two games. Their records tell a different story.

The Chiefs may be the most unlikely team to still be unbeaten, and they could stay that way entering an early bye week if they can keep the 49ers winless Sunday.

A combined 10-38 record the past three years - and two straight last-place finishes in the AFC West - along with an offseason void of big-name acquisitions other than Thomas Jones led many to believe Kansas City would remain mediocre. A pair of far-from-impressive performances still has skeptics doubting the Chiefs, but they did manage to win both to become a surprise division leader.

"It's nice when you win a couple of games in a row and get some momentum going, get some confidence and start building something, but we know the things we need to work on," receiver Chris Chambers said. "We're very critical of the mistakes we made."

Crucial mistakes may be the biggest reason San Francisco (0-2) has yet to win.

The Niners had a good chance to knock off the defending Super Bowl champion Monday night but committed four turnovers - three inside New Orleans' 30-yard line - and lost 25-22 on a field goal as time expired.

"I just think this team is a young team. They're learning some very valuable things early on in the season," coach Mike Singletary said. "I believe they will capitalize and pick up and it will serve us well going forward."

San Francisco is fourth in the league in defense at 264.5 yards per game after limiting the potent Saints to 287, about 117 below their 2009 average.

Kansas City (2-0) is averaging 254.5 yards of offense - second worst in the NFL - and converting 23.1 percent of its third downs to rank 30th.

"I think it's an encouraging sign that our guys have been able to hang together and fight through adversity in each of these games, to stick together and make enough plays to win," coach Todd Haley said.

What hasn't been too encouraging is the performance of second-year starter Matt Cassel under first-year offensive coordinator Charlie Weis. Cassel, the league's 30th-rated passer, threw for 68 yards in a rainy Week 1 win over San Diego and had two interceptions without a TD pass in last Sunday's 16-14 victory at Cleveland.

Weis could use next week's bye to further work things out offensively, though it appears the running game doesn't need much tweaking. Jamaal Charles is averaging an AFC-best 6.4 yards per carry and has teamed nicely with Jones, the five-time 1,000-yard rusher who gained 83 last week.

That duo faces a formidable challenge against All-Pro linebacker Patrick Willis and the 49ers run defense, which is limiting opponents to 2.7 yards per carry and 63.5 per game. No opposing rusher has cracked the 80-yard mark in San Francisco's last eight games.

Frank Gore set a team record with his 21st 100-yard rushing game Monday as he ran for 112 and had 56 receiving while scoring two TDs. Alex Smith's effort, though, may have gotten more notice.

The 2005 top overall draft pick had one of his best games, going 23 of 32 for 275 yards with a touchdown and engineering a quick drive - including two scrambles for first downs - that tied the game with 1:19 to play.

"I think there are a number of things that Alex has not shown yet that he will as he continues to progress," Singletary said. "The comfort level that he's going to feel going forward. I think that he's only going to get better."

These teams are meeting for the first time since the Niners lost 41-0 at Arrowhead Stadium in 2006 as Smith was held to 92 yards passing, picked off twice and sacked four times. San Francisco is winless in three trips to Kansas City since 1982.

While the Niners are off to their worst start since 2004, the Chiefs are looking to go 3-0 for the first time since 2003 - the last year they won a division title. Kansas City could also post back-to-back victories at Arrowhead for the first since winning its 2006 finale and 2007 home opener.