The Kansas City Chiefs, under the expert guidance of head coach Andy Reid, are having another strong season, even though they have not always been at their best. Reid’s Super Bowl-winning team is currently 5-0, with a point differential of only 33, ranking them behind the Minnesota Vikings’ more impressive tally of 30. Despite this, Reid has a unique advantage that may cause further headaches for the San Francisco 49ers in their upcoming matchup.

This Sunday, the Chiefs will travel to Levi’s Stadium to face the 3-3 49ers in what, on paper, seems like a challenging game for Reid’s team. The two teams last met in the Super Bowl a few years ago, and the 49ers, led by Kyle Shanahan, are eager to get back to winning ways after a turbulent start to the season. However, Andy Reid has a significant ace up his sleeve: his record following a bye week.

Reid boasts an incredible 28-3 record when his teams have had extra rest, such as a bye week, compared to an opponent who played the week prior. This statistic alone puts the Chiefs in a favorable position heading into the game against the 49ers. With 13 days of rest after their last win over the New Orleans Saints, Reid and his players have had extra time to recover, plan, and prepare for this pivotal matchup.

The Chiefs have had their share of injury concerns this season, with key players like wide receiver Isiah Pacheco and Hollywood Brown sidelined for the long term. However, the team has been bolstered by the return of veterans Juju Smith-Schuster and Kareem Hunt, who both rejoined the Chiefs as free agents. Their familiarity with the team and Reid’s offensive schemes has helped quarterback Patrick Mahomes maintain momentum, despite these setbacks.

“They kind of know how we operate,” Reid explained, noting how smoothly Smith-Schuster and Hunt have re-integrated into the Chiefs’ offense. Mahomes, one of the best quarterbacks in the league, has relied on their experience and consistency as he continues to build the chemistry that once made Kansas City’s offense nearly unstoppable.

Reid also highlighted the strong relationship between Mahomes and Hunt. “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 welcomed back in,” Reid said. Hunt’s swift return to form has helped ease the pressure on Mahomes and other offensive stars, such as tight end Travis Kelce.

Kelce, after a slow start to the season, seems to have rediscovered his best form. The veteran tight end has amassed 16 catches for 159 yards in his last two games, compared to just eight catches for 69 yards over the three games prior. Kelce’s resurgence couldn’t have come at a better time for Kansas City, as his chemistry with Mahomes continues to be the key to their success on the field.

While the Chiefs have their injuries to contend with, the 49ers are also dealing with significant personnel issues. Their star running back, Christian McCaffrey, has yet to feature this season due to injury, leaving a major gap in their offense. In his absence, Jordan Mason stepped up but hurt his shoulder in the previous game against the Seattle Seahawks. Rookie running back Isaac Guerendo filled in impressively, rushing for 99 yards on 10 carries, including a 72-yard breakaway run. Even if Mason is able to return, Guerendo may have earned himself more playing time going forward.

For the 49ers, the upcoming game will be an opportunity to prove themselves after an inconsistent start to the season. Kyle Shanahan, like Reid, benefits from extra preparation time, having enjoyed a mini-break after defeating the Seahawks on Thursday Night Football in Week 5. However, Shanahan’s team has struggled with injuries to key players, and the looming presence of the Chiefs’ high-powered offense, led by Mahomes and Kelce, will make this game even tougher.

Ultimately, Andy Reid’s ability to capitalize on extra rest could prove pivotal in this Super Bowl rematch. Reid’s track record of getting the most out of his team after a bye, combined with the recent resurgence of Kelce and the adaptability of Mahomes, spells trouble for a 49ers team struggling to find consistency. If Reid and the Chiefs can come out strong, they may extend their unbeaten run and further solidify their status as Super Bowl contenders.

The 49ers will need to dig deep to overcome the challenge presented by the Chiefs, and while extra rest has been helpful, they face the daunting task of neutralizing one of the NFL’s most dynamic quarterback-tight end duos. For Kansas City, a win in San Francisco would not only maintain their unbeaten record but also cement their position as one of the top teams in the league heading into the midseason stretch.