Kansas City Chiefs (2-2) at San Francisco 49ers (2-2)

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, at Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, Calif. – TV: CBS

*TV announcers: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson

*Keys to the game: The build up to Sunday’s game has focused on the return of Chiefs QB Alex Smith against the team he spent his first eight NFL seasons with. But the reality is this game will be dictated by how well the 49ers’ front seven handles a Kansas City offense averaging 145.3 rushing yards per game. San Francisco allows just 69.8 yards per game on the ground, so something has to give. The 49ers all but shut down the Eagles’ high-octane offense last week by stuffing the ground game and then getting after QB Nick Foles. The Chiefs will use a variety of formations and utilize the screen game if the 49ers get to aggressive in crashing the line.

The 49ers continue to struggle to find an identity offensively. Are they a power running team behind Frank Gore? Or are they a three- and four-wideout team looking to sling the ball all over the field. Gore received 24 carries last week and should be in line for another extensive workload so QB Colin Kaepernick — still very streaky with his accuracy — isn’t forcing the ball into the teeth of a defense ranked eighth against the pass. And working toward short third-down distances sets Kaepernick up for potential big plays with his legs.

*Matchup to watch — Chiefs OLB Justin Houston vs. 49ers RT Anthony Davis: Houston is tied for the NFL lead with 5.0 sacks, and it’s difficult to provide extra help with Tamba Hali attacking the edge from Kaepernick’s blind side. Davis suffered knee and ankle injuries last week, but is expected to play.

*Player spotlight — Chiefs TE Travis Kelce: After missing all but one game as a rookie due to microfracture knee surgery, the former third-round pick has emerged as Smith’s most trusted third-down target. Kelce leads the team with 18 receptions, and the Chiefs move him between tight end and split wide to take advantage of his 6-5, 260-pound frame.

*Fast facts: Smith was selected by the 49ers with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 draft. He is 14-8 with the Chiefs since being acquired for a pair of second-round draft picks. … The 49ers are 11-1 in the month of October under coach Jim Harbaugh.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

The Chiefs aren’t as bad as their 0-2 start, and not as dominating as their Monday night thrashing of the Patriots might suggest. But they are hitting on all cylinders offensively, while the 49ers still appear a bit disjointed.

*Our pick: Chiefs 27-24