Marquise Goodwin will be game-time call for 49ers vs. Chiefs
By Matt Conner
If the San Francisco 49ers are going to be able to keep up with the Kansas City Chiefs offensively on Sunday, they’ll need their version of Tyreek Hill.
The Kansas City Chiefs came out of the gate last week to put up 21 points in the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes is averaging five touchdown passes per game. No matter which angle you come from, the Chiefs offense is the centerpiece of any discussion about the Week 3 contest between the San Francisco 49ers and the Chiefs.
The Chiefs offense is the biggest storyline in the NFL through two weeks, given that Patrick Mahomes has won consecutive AFC Offensive Player of the Week awards. With targets like Kareem Hunt, Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins and Travis Kelce as his primary four to go along with other talented offensive weapons like Spencer Ware, Demarcus Robinson, Chris Conley, De’Anthony Thomas and Demetrius Harris, the Chiefs are nearly impossible to defend.
That puts pressure not only on the defense to stop them but on an offense to keep up with them. That is what makes the potential loss of wide receiver Marquise Goodwin such a major loss for the Niners on Sunday. Goodwin is an Olympic-caliber sprinter who has made the successful transition to the NFL in San Francisco, and he’s a nice deep threat for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo—when available.
Unfortunately Goodwin has been sitting due to a “deep thigh bruise” in practice and it’s unclear whether or not he will be ready to suit up against the Chiefs. If not, the Niners’ ability to take the lid off of the Chiefs secondary will be limited and should help a struggling defense cover a smaller range.
Earlier this week there was a bit of trash talk between Goodwin and Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill, a player often referred to as the fastest player in the league. Goodwin is obviously very quick himself and pointed to his tattoo of Olympic rings as his answer for who is faster.
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Second round rookie Dante Pettis and second-year player Trent Taylor both take on a larger role in the absence of Goodwin in the Niners offense. Goodwin had 56 catches for 962 yards and 2 touchdowns last year in Kyle Shanahan’s first season as head coach.