Chiefs vs. 49ers: Week 3 writer round table predictions

Can Patrick Mahomes in his 1st regular season start at Arrowhead beat the 49ers and start the Chiefs off 3-0?

Week 3 is upon us and Kansas City Chiefs fans are feeling good. The Chiefs appear to have the franchise quarterback they have sorely needed for so many years. Coming off two impressive road wins against the L.A. Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers, the season has begun on the right note.

The Chiefs get to come home and play in front of the loudest fans in the NFL. The 49ers have to come to Arrowhead and face the Chiefs in the Chiefs home opener, where the fans are going to be more amped than ever.

While the they can’t be slept on, they also are going to have their work cut out for them. It’s hard enough to try to deal with Patrick Mahomes, Kareem Hunt, Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins, and company, but now you they also will have defining noise to try to handle from the red sea.

According the AA staff writers here is your average final score for Sunday’s game: Chiefs 35.3, 49ers 22.4

Chiefs 35, 49ers 27
Nothing on this planet can shake my confidence at this point. Not even an incredibly handsome man with a decent array of weapons around him. There’s no shame in losing in Minnesota in week one, and the Lions needed a late surge to keep it close in San Francisco last weekend, but how can you pick against this offense right now, barring an elite offense on the other side of the ball? [Joshua Brisco]

Chiefs 38, 49ers 23
After last week’s stellar performance, I have to go with the Chiefs. Especially, because the Chiefs are coming back to Kansas City for their home opener. Mahomes is going to be feeding off the energy of 76,000 fans and the Chiefs are going to be all over the 49ers. [Drew Brooks]

Chiefs 31, 49ers 24
Watch Mahomes throw at least four touchdowns against the 49ers defense that has been allowing an average of 385 yards per game. I say at least only four because ruthless 49ers linebacker Reuben Foster is making a comeback for Week 3. But having an strong offensive line and hosting the game at home, the Chiefs have an advantage. [Chantel Buchi]

Chiefs 30, 49ers 17
At this point, it’s hard to imagine any team defeating the Chiefs except the Pats and Jags left on the team’s schedule. That said, I’m particularly skewed against the 49ers because I think John Lynch is a total pretender of a GM and the positive press provided by the Jimmy Garappolo streak last year was an outlier. Lynch is the Jon Gruden of the NFC who pays his FB ridiculous money, makes poor draft picks, and questionable signings left and right. If you hit on a QB, you’re given a lot of grace in this league, but this team is all pretender. Sorry. This won’t even be close. [Matt Conner]

Chiefs 45, 49ers 24
This won’t be a shootout like everyone expects it to be.. again. The likely absence of Berry will plague the defense yet again, but I think they’ll find their groove in this game. Mahomes will play lights out at home, especially it being the opener. 49ers stand no chance. [Jalon Dodson]

Chiefs 34, 49ers 24
The Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes finally get to take the field at Arrowhead and the crowd should be rocking. The 49ers have given up more passing yards than either the Chargers and Steelers so the Mahomes show should keep rolling. The 49ers offense will likely put some numbers up against the Chiefs defense, but I don’t see this one being as close as the first two games. [Lyle Graversen]

Chiefs 31, 49ers 21
Being a Chiefs fan, I’m half-expecting the prerequisite egg-laying game, but I just can’t bring myself to see Mahomes struggle against this team. The 49ers are still in the early stages of a rebuild, and Jimmy G has struggled mightily so far this season. The Chiefs win easily and the defense gets a slight confidence boost from playing a QB having a rough start to the year. [Jacob Harris]

Chiefs 40, 49ers 21
After a tough couple weeks on the road, the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes are coming home. The San Francisco 49ers are coming off their first win of the season in which Matt Breida ran for 138 yards. Mahomes and company will be looking to continue their dominance against a 49ers defense that will be getting Reuben Foster back from suspension. I don’t expect this one to be close as the Chiefs will be looking to make a statement in their first home game of the season. [Kody Latham]

Chiefs 37,  49ers 27
The Chiefs fans at Arrowhead are going to be off-the-chain this week. The home opener atmosphere will prevent a “trap game” and the Chiefs offense will keep rolling to 3-0. [Matthew Loomis]

Chiefs 35, 49ers 24
The Chiefs’ offense is on fire. They played two solid defenses and are averaging 40 points a game. While the defense also gave up 32.5 points per game, the 49ers don’t have the weapons to stretch the defense like either the Chargers or Steelers do. The Chiefs add to their win streak Sunday. [Jordan Mannix]

Chiefs 38, 49ers 24
The Chiefs are hot right now and going into what should be their easiest matchup so far. However, in the past the easy games tend to be a problem. I don’t think they are the same Chiefs team we’ve seen in previous years. We get good pressure on the 49ers questionable offensive line. Our defense gets a boost and our offense continues to roll as the Chiefs put on a show in Arrowhead leading them to a 3-0 start. [Brandon Norris]

Chiefs 38, 49ers 28
Chiefs fans will be incredible Sunday while getting their first taste of meaningful Patrick Mahomes snaps. This being Mahomes 1st regular season start at Arrowhead after two nice road wins the crowd helps K.C. Limit the 49ers to 28 points. [Rylan Stiles]

Chiefs 32, 49ers 17
The Chiefs are 2-0 and going into their first home game undefeated. The San Francisco 49ers have allowed 591 passing yards and 5 touchdowns to Kirk Cousins and Matthew Stafford combined. The 49ers strength has been their run game and efficient passing attack. The Chiefs allowed just 2.5 yards per attempt against the Steelers. If the Chiefs can disrupt the 49ers run game the rest may fall apart under a QB that hasn’t looked the same since getting paid. [David Thomas]

Chiefs 42, 49ers 17
The Chiefs head to Arrowhead this week for the first time with Patrick Mahomes as the starting quarterback. Arrowhead will be lit. The 49ers are an ok team at best and will not be able to keep up with the Chiefs offense. I also think the defense will play a little better this week since they will be at home. I predict the Chiefs run away with this one. [Ellen Tolsma]

Chiefs 38, 49ers 24
The Chiefs are on a roll entering the third week of the season. Any team that comes into Arrowhead Stadium to play against a thriving Chiefs team in their home opener should be nervous.
Chiefs roll. Mahomes only throws three touchdowns and the Chiefs defense shows signs of life, creating a turnover and recording three sacks. [Grant Tuttle]

49ers 32, Chiefs 24
I’ve underestimated and given into pessimism and predicted the Chiefs to lose, and in traditional brutal fashion. Both weeks the Chiefs have pulled off unexpected victories. Have I learned my lesson? Maybe. Listen, I’m not superstitious but I am a little stitious. So, I’m predicting a 49ers win. They slow down the Chiefs passing offense and Jimmy G looks like Tom Brady. Patrick Mahomes only throws 3 touchdowns. Book it. [Thomas Welte]

Chiefs 38, 49ers 17
It’ll be the Arrowhead debut of Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs fans will be into it. I also think that 12th man factor will bode will for the defense. I think the pass rush will be there and the team should improve and display a more balanced team. [Farzin Vousoughian]

Chiefs 31, 49ers 23
It’s the first start for Mahomes at Arrowhead, the crowd is going to be pumped. The San Francisco 49ers had issues on defense and struggled against the Detroit Lions. The Chiefs’ defense will play a bit better at home. Mahomes throws 3 TD. [Jesse Whisler]

Chiefs 38, 49ers 17
The 49ers have given up 343 and 427 yards of offense through the first two games. The Mahomes hype train pulls into Arrowhead on Sunday…and it is going to be full steam ahead. Mahomes shines again, on the way to the offense putting up 38 points. Our defense will play well enough to contain the young Jimmy G and company. Chiefs win the home opener, pretty handily. [Mason Whitlock]

Chiefs 31, 49ers 17
Arrowhead Stadium will be as electric as it’s been in years on Sunday and will be a major factor in the Chiefs week three victory over the 49ers. Jimmy Garoppolo has never been a part of atmosphere even close to the one he will face on Sunday when Patrick Mahomes II makes his Arrowhead debut. The offense appears unstoppable and the defense will feed off the crowd and this game will be a blowout. [Britt Zank]