The 49ers aren’t treating the first week of preparation for the Super Bowl like a bye. They’ll have full practices Thursday and Friday as they install their game plan for the Chiefs before flying to Miami on Sunday.

Which, of course, means this is a perfect time for our first Super Bowl mailbag. To your questions!

Caleb Sutherland asks: Does San Francisco need to keep it close to win? They went up big against Green Bay and they put up 20 points in one half, and Kansas City the last two weeks has gone down early, and cut their deficits really fast and didn’t let up.

You’ll have a hard time convincing Kyle Shanahan that getting off to a fast start is a bad idea. After all, a lead would set up the 49ers to play their preferred brand of football: run the ball down down the opponent’s throat and let the pass rush get after the quarterback.

But your observation is a good one. The Chiefs can come back from any deficit and the 49ers should not take their foot off the gas until the clock hits zeros. Perhaps the second half against the Packers will offer a teaching point for the coaching staff over these next two weeks.

There’s something that’s notable about the quarterback matchup. Jimmy Garoppolo tied the NFL lead with four fourth-quarter rallies this season while Patrick Mahomes had just one. Even if the Chiefs get up big early, San Francisco shouldn’t be counted out.

Tim Sprinkles asks: Do you think the Niners would have more success rushing four and dropping seven into coverage or ramping up a varied blitz package to confuse and keep the Chiefs offense off balance?

The Chiefs are a deadly screen team and Mahomes has been great against the blitz. His passer rating against the blitz this season is 117.2 and dips slightly to 106.3 when he’s not blitzed, according to Pro Football Focus. That could be because all five of interceptions came when he wasn’t blitzed, which says a lot about his ability to red the ball to his play makers when he sees extra defenders coming.

I think the 49ers have to do what Vic Fangio’s defenses did earlier this decade against Aaron Rodgers when he was at the peak of his powers during playoffs after 2011 and 2013. They rushed four and kept seven players in coverage while trying to mix up their looks as much as possible.

That’s not to say they shouldn’t blitz at all. They absolutely should (and will). They just have to be ultra selective in when they do it.

Brian asks: The 49ers have incredible team speed, but not outside at the corners. What will they do to combat the speed of Hill, Hardman, and Watkins?

I’m not a defensive coordinator or an X’s and O’s expert. But I’d imagine the 49ers continue playing predominately zone coverage and work to keep the Chiefs weapons in front of them. The defense would typically rather allow quarterbacks to dink and dunk their way down the field than complete explosive passes over the top.

The 49ers during the regular season tied the Buffalo Bills by allowing a league-low 34 passes of 20 yards or more. It will be very difficult to continue that trend against the Chiefs. But they’ve done it all year despite having speed on the outside, as you mentioned.

I think that’s because safeties Jaquiski Tartt and Jimmie Ward are very fast and cover a lot of ground. The 49ers will need outstanding games from both guys to take down Kansas City.

@wiseguyinsider asks: Chris, any injury update on Jaquiski Tartt and Dre Greenlaw? I didn’t see Greenlaw return back to the game after he left injured.

Tartt “irritated” his December rib injury, Kyle Shanahan said this week. He should be good to go for the Super Bowl given the time off between games. Greenlaw tweaked his ankle and didn’t return to the game because the 49ers decided to keep Kwon Alexander in the game instead. Plus, they didn’t need three linebackers in the second half as the Packers were trying to pass their way back into it.

Bruno Garrido asks: How was Jimmy’s knee after that roughing the passer penalty?

Here’s what Garoppolo said after the game when asked that same question: “Scary moment. But, the brace held up again. Knock on wood.”

Garoppolo has taken a couple different shots to the knee in his two playoff games but he come out of things okay. He said after the injury he would probably wear the brace for the rest of his career. That would make sense given the hits he’s taken in these playoffs.

Constant Seasons asks: Assuming Mahomes will have his way, do you see a template in the Niners’ win in New Orleans?

I’m sure they would rather not have to execute a come-from-behind drive in the final minute that included a Herculean play from George Kittle to win the game. But yes, the 49ers have enough weapons in the passing game to play in a shootout if needed.

That was the big takeaway from the Saints game. Garoppolo could hang with one of the best quarterbacks in the league, on his home field, blow by blow, and put up 48 points on a good defense. I think that game gave Garoppolo a lot of confidence for the stretch run.

It was also the best game of the season for Emmanuel Sanders, who has been quiet recently. I’d imagine the 49ers will figure out ways to get him the ball, and perhaps have him throw another pass, to give San Francisco a shot at scoring a lot of points.

Casey Feasby asks: Why do people seem to disregard the 49ers offense so readily? All the talk is about the chiefs offense va the 49ers defense but the Niners offense has been amazing this year. I get they aren’t as flashy as the Chiefs but they put on good drives that give their defense a good rest.

My opinion: Fantasy football.

Aside from George Kittle, the 49ers didn’t have a consistent fantasy star this year. Garoppolo was just 17th in yards per game. The team’s leading receiver Deebo Samuel ranked 42nd in receiving yards. Leading rusher Raheeem Mostert was 26th in rushing yards.

Versatility doesn’t get people talking. The 49ers tied an NFL record with 13 different players catching touchdown passes. And none of them were offensive linemen.

They rank second in yardage and eighth in scoring, though their passing totals were 13th while the running game was consistently ranked second throughout the season.

A win in the Super Bowl, particularly if it’s a high scoring game, could do a lot to change that perception. For now, the 49ers won’t fret about what people think about their offense as long as they continue to win games.

This story was originally published January 22, 2020 at 7:47 AM with the headline "49ers mailbag: How will the top pass defense slow Mahomes?."