Kyle Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers are well aware of their history against the Kansas City Chiefs as they gear up for their much-anticipated Super Bowl 54 and 58 rematch.

“Everyone knows we’ve suffered two Super Bowl defeats against them. It can create some ‘post-traumatic stress’ when reviewing the film, but that’s just human nature,” Shanahan remarked this week. “However, it’s crucial not to dwell on that. This matchup is independent of previous games. What happened last year is in the past.”

The 49ers have reviewed footage of the Chiefs’ five victories this season as well as their 25-22 loss in Super Bowl 58. Shanahan believes the Chiefs’ defense has strengthened since they were ranked second in the NFL last season.

“Each year has seen them improve. Last year, their defense was the toughest we faced, and I feel the same about this year,” Shanahan noted. “Their players have been together for quite some time and are very familiar with their scheme.”

The Chiefs continue to feature a top-10 defense, allowing just 17 points per game. However, their most significant strengths are quarterback Patrick Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid.

“Andy’s been excellent on offense for a long time,” 49ers offensive line coach Chris Foerster stated. “They have a fantastic staff.”

Mahomes is undefeated against the 49ers, holding a 4-0 record, which includes the two Super Bowl victories. Reid has a 4-1 record against San Francisco since he took over as Kansas City’s head coach in 2013.

“Their quarterback is obviously the centerpiece. He puts them in great positions to dominate, and he’s able to make significant plays,” Shanahan remarked. “They often use screens and run-pass options, so you must stay alert for unexpected plays. I’ve enjoyed watching Andy since his days in Philadelphia and he continues to adapt and grow.”

Statistically, Mahomes has had a slower start this season compared to his standards. He averages 247 passing yards per game, the lowest of his career, and his passer rating of 88.9 is his lowest since becoming a fully-fledged starter for Kansas City. Nonetheless, Shanahan believes these numbers don’t reflect the entire situation for the unbeaten Chiefs.

“Many label it a down year due to his unimpressive numbers, but Pat remains one of the best. He’s consistently been excellent since he started playing,” Shanahan defended. “Pat is always incredible, and I don’t foresee that changing.”

49ers defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen shares this opinion.

“No matter how often you play against Mahomes, it’s always a challenge,” Sorensen admitted. “He is tough to deal with because he can change his approach. His arm angles vary, he doesn’t always need to plant his feet, and he’s excellent at reading the defense to find openings.”

The 49ers are acutely aware of how tough it is to beat the Chiefs, even when Mahomes and Kansas City’s offense may seem less formidable. Shanahan has yet to secure a victory against the Chiefs as the 49ers’ head coach. Simply watching earlier games could trigger a little “post-traumatic stress” for the team once more.

However, San Francisco has the chance to seek revenge on their home turf this Sunday.