Belichick and Gruden scout Super Bowl rematch

SANTA CLARA – Today's game between the 49ers and Chiefs is, of course, a rematch of last season's Super Bowl and will therefore be commanded by Fox Sports' No. 1 broadcast team, which includes Tom Brady.

Two other notable analysts shared their views before kickoff: Brady's old coach Bill Belichick and another former NFL coach Jon Gruden.

Belichick weighed in on the CW's “Inside The NFL” last week and gave the 49ers (3-3) pointers on how they can finally beat the Chiefs (5-0).

“Coach (Kyle) Shanahan has to figure out, 'How do we get past third?' How do we get more distance on first and second down to create third-and-short situations? “Belichick said. “And then, more than anything, we have to beat the man-to-man coverage and the blitz, (because) that’s what Spags is going to do.”

Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo stunned the 49ers with man coverage and timely attacks in Kansas City's 25-22 overtime win. Of all the man-to-man duels this game could feature, Belichick singles out one in particular: tight end George Kittle.

“I would get Kittle — I don’t care if you give him a safety, a linebacker or a corner — I think Kittle is their best pair in man-to-man coverage,” Belichick said.

Gruden gave an hour-long preview on his YouTube channel in which he praised Shanahan and the Chiefs' Andy Reid as “the best game designers in the world.”

“This game pits quarterback Patrick Mahomes against Brock Purdy, Andy Reid and Shanahann — a coach-quarterback continuity that doesn’t really exist in many organizations anymore,” Gruden said. “That’s what I really like about this game.”

What Gruden doesn't like is the 49ers' special teams, which commit weekly blunders and now use Anders Carlson as the third kicker in as many games; Jake Moody and Matthew Wright were injured by tackles in kickoff coverage in the previous two games.

“I think special teams could be and probably will be a big problem in this game. The 49ers have really struggled so far,” Gruden said. “The 49ers' special teams better get their act together because the Chiefs have a special teams coach in Dave Toub who has always done that. “So be vigilant for Kanas City to take advantage of some of the cracks on the 49ers' special teams.”