Week 7 Preview: Kansas City Chiefs vs San Francisco 49ers

The 4-2 Kansas City Chiefs will attempt to reestablish themselves as one of the NFL's elite teams when they visit the 3-3 San Francisco 49ers in Week 7. The Chiefs are coming off a disappointing 24-20 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 6, and the San Francisco are licking their wounds after a shocking 28-14 blowout at the hands of the Atlanta Falcons. The Chiefs are 2.5-point favorites to go on the road and confirm their status as a Super Bowl contender.

Headed to the Bay this weekend ☀️ #TBT pic.twitter.com/OqkQDGbl7n
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) October 20, 2022

The Chiefs achieved the high point of their present era when they bested the 49ers 31-20 in Super Bowl LIV, and they'll look to recreate some happy memories in Week 7. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes should be itching to erase the bad taste from his mouth after throwing a game-sealing interception on his team's final drive against the Bills. He'll have a good chance against a 49ers defense that could be without key defensive linemen Javon Kinlaw and Arik Armstead. The 49ers allowed Falcons' quarterback Marcus Mariota to complete 13 of his 14 pass attempts for 129 passing yards in Week 6, so barring a superlative performance from returning edge rusher Nick Bosa, Mahomes and the Chiefs' top-ranked scoring offense should be in line for a huge day.

Kyle Shanahan shares optimistic outlook on the return of DE Nick Bosa and LT Trent Williams ahead of #KCvsSF.
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 18, 2022

Meanwhile, the 49ers will cross their fingers that the returns of arguably their two biggest stars will help them avoid a letdown like Week 6's humiliation against the Falcons. All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams appears poised to return following a three-week absence due to a high-ankle sprain, and Pro Bowl defensive end Nick Bosa should be back after one week of unavailability as a result of a Week 5 groin strain. If the 49ers intend to exact a modicum of revenge over the team that kept them from Super Bowl glory following the 2019 season, they'll need the two players to radically transform their squad on both sides of the ball. If anyone can do it, it's Williams and Bosa: Williams was Pro Football Focus' highest-graded player in 2021, and Bosa led the league with 21 tackles for loss.

The San Francisco 49ers host the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 7 at 4:25 p.m. ET.