The Kansas City Chiefs are getting it done despite not being at their best this season.
Andy Reid‘s three-peat-chasing Super Bowl champions are 5-0 with a point differential of just 33 – 30 behind the unbeaten Minnesota Vikings‘ tally.
GettyReid is an expert at using extra rest time to his advantage[/caption]
Sunday will see the Chiefs travel to Levi’s Stadium to take on the 3-3 San Francisco 49ers.
On paper, the Super Bowl rematch should be a tough test for Reid‘s team.
But the veteran head coach has a massive ace up his sleeve.
Reid boasts an incredible record of 28-3 coming off a bye against an opponent who played the previous week.
The Chiefs will have enjoyed a 13-day break between their win over the New Orleans Saints and Sunday’s encounter.
Luckily for 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan, he is enjoying a mini-break of his own after beating the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football in Week 5.
Both teams will be glad for the extra rest after struggling with injuries.
Hollywood Brown, Isiah Pacheco, and Rashee Rice are all long-term absentees for the Chiefs.
Juju Smith-Schuster and Kareem Hunt, who both returned as free agents, have stepped up to help Patrick Mahomes‘ offense.
“They kind of know how we operate,” Reid said.
Mahomes and Travis Kelce are starting to look more like their old selves
The 49ers have their own injury woes with Christian McCaffrey outGetty
“They know the offense, they’re comfortable with it.
“Kareem had obviously been away for a while, but he was able to pick everything up quickly, and he and Pat [Mahomes] are very good friends.
“They stayed in touch throughout the years here. So he was welcome back in.
“You have that part of it — the comfort part — you’re welcome back in to get things rolling, and that opens up another avenue there for him psychologically.”
Travis Kelce has also hit his stride after a slow start to the season.
The tight end has a combined 16 catches for 159 yards in his last two games.
Across the previous three, he managed just eight catches for 69 yards.
Christian McCaffrey has not featured for the 49ers this season and replacement Jordan Mason hurt his shoulder last week.
Isaac Guerendo stepped up with 99 yards off 10 carries – including a 72-yard dash – against Seattle.
The rookie may have earned more reps even if Mason is able to return.
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