The Kansas City Chiefs may be the biggest surprise of all the 2-0 teams in the NFL. The San Francisco 49ers, meanwhile, are one of the league’s most disappointing teams.
The two teams square off on Sunday in Kansas City as the Chiefs look to improve to 3-0 for the first time in seven years against the 49ers, who are desperate for their first win.
Kansas City, which has just 10 wins in the last three seasons, stunned the San Diego Chargers in the season opener on Monday Night Football and then snuck by the Cleveland Browns 16-14 last week.
The Chiefs finished 30th in the league in scoring defense last season (26.5 points per game), but new coordinator Romeo Crennel's unit is ranked eighth in points allowed through two games (14.0 ppg).
The defense’s improvement is the biggest reason the team is off to its best start since 2005. After all, Kansas City's offense has just two touchdowns in eight quarters and is averaging 254.5 yards – second worst in the league.
The Chiefs failed to score an offensive touchdown against Cleveland, but Brandon Flowers returned an interception 22 yards for a score and Ryan Succop kicked three field goals.
The Chiefs have a dynamic backfield comprised of third-year speedster Jamaal Charles and veteran Thomas Jones, but quarterback Matt Cassel is holding the offense back. Cassel is completing less than 60 percent of his attempts and his passer rating is a JaMarcus Russell-like 55.8.
Cassel's woes are likely to continue against the 49ers, who are allowing a mere 264.5 yards per game – fourth best in the NFL.
If Kansas City can find away to contain linebacker Patrick Willis and company, it may improve to 3-0 for the first time since 2003. That was the last time the Chiefs won the AFC West.
The NFC West, on the other hand, was all but handed to the 49ers by many observers this preseason. However, San Francisco has yet to show it is worthy of all the hype.
Mike Singletary’s club has started 0-2 for the first time since 2004.
Most of the blame can be placed on the offense, as San Francisco turned the ball over four times in Monday night’s last-second, 25-22 loss to the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints.
San Francisco wasted a strong effort from Frank Gore, who set a team record with his 21st 100-yard game.
There is hope, however, if the 49ers can stop beating themselves. And the most obvious reason to be optimistic is the play of Alex Smith.
Smith, the enigmatic top overall pick in 2005, led the 49ers on an impressive eight-play, 82-yard game-tying drive in the final minute. Smith ran for a pair of first downs on the drive and finished 23 of 32 for 275 yards.
Smith is still trying to get in sync with 2009 first-round pick Michael Crabtree, though. Crabtree caught just one pass for 32 yards.
This will be the first meeting between the teams since Kansas City rolled to a 41-0 win in 2006 at Arrowhead Stadium. San Francisco hasn’t won in Kansas City since 1982 (0-3).