The San Francisco 49ers welcomed in the Kansas City Chiefs for the fifth meeting between these two teams in the Kyle Shanahan-John Lynch era. Injuries greatly impacted the offensive production of San Francisco, who by the end of game, was down their top three receivers. Defense kept the 49ers in the game, however, a two-touchdown fourth quarter for the Chiefs ultimately resulted in a 28-18 loss for the red and gold.
Here are five takeaways from the Chiefs vs. 49ers game:
Special Teams Breakdown
In a battle of NFL heavyweights, anything goes. The Chiefs attempted a fake punt on 4th-and-two on their opening drive and were stopped in their tracks by safety Ji'Ayir Brown and defensive lineman Jordan Elliott. After the turnover on downs, San Francisco took over at Kansas City's 45 yard line.
In the second quarter, the special teams unit put up the first points of the game. Kicker Anders Carlson, who was signed on Tuesday due to injuries to Matthew Wright in Week 6, kicked a 55-yard field goal through the uprights to make it 3-0 San Francisco with a minute left to play in the first quarter. He later drilled a 24-yard field goal attempt but missed the extra point attempt following the 49ers first touchdown of the day.
Defensive Line Stacks the Plays Early
San Francisco's defensive line made their impact early in Sunday's showdown. The line's string of splash plays began on the second defensive series as Kansas City was driving down the field and just inside the red zone. Nick Bosa sacked Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes for a loss of five yards. On the very next play, third-year defensive lineman Kalia Davis, who has battled through multiple knee injuries early in his career, tipped and came down with Mahomes' pass to register his first-career interception.
The next time the defense took the field, defensive lineman duo Maliek Collins and Leonard Floyd got home on Mahomes for a loss of four yards to force a three-and-out. As a result of their stout defensive play, Kansas City went scoreless in the first quarter.
Rookie Receiver Snags His First-Career Reception
Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall completed his comeback from the Non-Football Injury list on Sunday. The 49ers first-round pick of the 2024 NFL Draft was sidelined early in the year after suffering an injury in an attempted robbery in late August. He caught his first pass, a six-yard completion on second-and-10, in the final minute of the second quarter. That catch garnered a huge cheer from the crowd at Levi's® Stadium and helped fire up San Francisco's offense. Quarterback Brock Purdy and company were able to drive down the field and close out the drive with a 24-yard field goal.
Secondary Steps Up in the Third Quarter
Fourth-year defensive back Deommodore Lenoir spoiled the Chiefs opening drive of the second half intercepting a pass intended for Chiefs receiver Xavier Worthy. Lenoir was able to pick up 33 yards on the return to set up the 49ers offense on Kansas City's 23 yard line. San Francisco went on to score on the ensuing drive. Purdy punched in the touchdown on a quarterback sneak to cap off a seven-play, 23-yard drive. On the Chiefs next offensive series, cornerback Charvarius Ward came in clutch, breaking up a deep shot intended for Travis Kelce to force a three-and-out.
Early Exits of the Game
- Wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. was dealing with an illness prior to kickoff, and despite being cleared to play was hardly on the field early. He was listed as questionable with an illness in the third quarter and then out minutes later.
- Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk suffered a knee injury on the 49ers final drive of the second quarter. He landed awkwardly with two Chiefs defenders following a 15-yard completion. He was ruled out in the early minutes of the third quarter. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said postgame the team is "worried" Aiyuk injured his ACL but that injury has not been confirmed.
