Defense faces test in halting QB Mahomes

The hype around Patrick Mahomes is so out of hand that next will come talk that the Chiefs quarterback can fling a football the length of the field.

Oh, wait, hold on. It appears that’s already happening.

This week, after studying Mahomes before Sunday’s meeting in Kansas City, the 49ers didn’t say he could leap Arrowhead Stadium in a single bound. But there was some talk about his 100yard arm.

“If he can stay alive in the pocket,” defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said, “every ball on the football field is live and every receiver is still live no matter how far the receiver is downfield.”

Said inside linebacker Malcolm Smith: The Chiefs “have that element of him being able to throw it the length of the field.”

This is actually only mild hyperbole. In the preseason, Mahomes, 23, threw a touchdown pass that traveled 70 yards in the air to triple-covered wide receiver Tyreek Hill.

But it’s what Mahomes has done in games that count that’s made him the talk of the NFL.

In his first two games as the Chiefs’ starter, the No. 10 pick in 2017 has thrown 10 touchdown passes — more than the combined total of Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers — and no interceptions.

Led by Mahomes, the Chiefs (2-0) have averaged 40 points in road wins against the Chargers and Steelers. And now they will host the 49ers in their home opener in Mahomes’ first career start at Arrowhead, where the 49ers have lost their three games dating to 1997 by a total score of 116-19.

So how will the 49ers deal with an offense that also includes one of the NFL’s most respected play-callers (head coach Andy Reid), one of its fastest players (Hill), one of its best tight ends (Travis Kelce) and running back Kareem Hunt, who led the NFL in rushing yards in 2017 as a rookie?

For starters, the 49ers will do the opposite of what the Steelers did in last week’s 42-37 loss to Kansas City. Pittsburgh linebacker Bud Dupree indicated the plan was to use myriad coverages to confuse Mahomes, who was making his third career start. Mahomes threw for 326 yards and tied Len Dawson’s franchise record with six touchdown passes.

“We thought since he was a young quarterback we could trick him, but he kind of spread us out,” Dupree told reporters. “He didn’t snap the ball fast so he was really trying to read us, seeing where the weaknesses were before he snapped the ball. Many young quarterbacks can’t really check like that. He showed us otherwise.”

The 49ers have a fairly straightforward 4-3 defense, and Saleh made it clear this is definitely not the week to introduce wrinkles. The Chiefs use a variety of backfield movement, including jet sweeps, that helps set up their deep passing game. Mahomes ranks third in the NFL with 14 completions of 20-plus yards.

The 49ers’ challenge could be compounded by the potential absence of strong safety Jaquiski Tartt, who is questionable with a shoulder injury. On Saturday, they promoted safety Tyvis Powell from the practice squad, which could be a signal Tartt will be sidelined.

“There were a lot of busts in the Pittsburgh game,” 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman said. “A lot of guys out of position. It’s like they tried to do too much. I think they made it way too complicated. He made great plays and great throws, but there were a lot of guys running scot-free, butt-naked wide open. You’ve got to play more sound than that.”

The 49ers don’t figure to completely contain Kansas City’s offense, but the 6.5-point underdogs could still have a chance to do so given the state of the Chiefs defense. Kansas City has allowed the most total yards (508.0 per game) and passing yards (430) this season, while ranking 31st in yards allowed per play (6.9) and passing touchdowns allowed (six).

Those numbers are partly tied to the Chiefs taking huge leads in their first two games, forcing opponents to average 55.5 passing attempts.

However, a shootout is forecast: The over-under (projected total points) for the game has been set at 55, which would match the highest total for a 49ers’ game since Dec. 9, 2001, when they visited the Rams and their “Greatest Show on Turf ” offense.

Kansas City’s attack doesn’t have a nickname, but it does have a sideline orchestrator in Reid, who has had 11 top-10 offenses in his 19 seasons as a head coach with the Chiefs and Eagles.

Sherman and Reid have developed a friendship after connecting at several Pro Bowls.

“I’ve always had a ton of respect for him and ton of respect for the way he calls the games because it’s so complicated,” Sherman said. “Andy will give you ... power, zone, counter, trap, draw option. Like, nobody else in this league runs option and Andy will pull out option at the craziest possible time.”

On Sunday, the 49ers’ main concern won’t be running plays, but deep balls that, speaking hyperbolically, travel the length of the field.

Mahomes’ scorching start means they will be prepared for his moon shots; stopping them might be another matter.