The 49ers (5-5) host the Kansas City Chiefs (5-5) at Candlestick Park on Sun November 17, 1985.
Joe Montana continues after the Mile High loss. Roger Craig and Wendell Tyler share the backfield. The Chiefs start Bill Kenney at quarterback with Joe Delaney at running back.
Both teams are 5-5 and fighting for playoff position. The 49ers need this home win to start the five-game closing stretch.[1][2][3]
The Chiefs at 5-5 are the AFC West's middle team, evenly matched with the 49ers on paper. Kenney is a steady quarterback who does not make many mistakes. The 49ers come in after back-to-back close losses and need the kind of home performance that builds momentum.
Montana has been inconsistent in the altitude and cold environments. At Candlestick in November, the timing routes work as designed. Craig's dual-threat role — 778 rushing yards plus 70+ receiving yards — gives the offense the consistent edge.
Week eleven is the mid-November home game. The 49ers (5-5) and Chiefs (5-5) are both in their respective wild card races. The Bears (11-0) remain the conference's undefeated team. The Rams (7-4) lead the NFC West. The Dolphins (8-2) and Raiders (7-3) lead the AFC. The 49ers' Sunday home game is the start of their five-game winning stretch to close the year.
Through ten games the 49ers are 5-5 with a plus 27 differential. The Chiefs are 5-5 with a plus 2. Kenney is 170 of 285, 2,150 yards, thirteen touchdowns, eight interceptions. Montana is 201 of 346, 2,341 yards, 15 TDs, seven INTs on the year. Craig has 189 carries for 849 yards and 63 receptions for 558 yards through ten games — on pace for the historic 1,000-1,000 season.
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati Bengals | 5-5 | W3 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 5-5 | W2 |
| Cleveland Browns | 4-6 | L4 |
| Houston Oilers | 4-6 | L1 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| New England Patriots | 7-3 | W5 |
| New York Jets | 7-3 | L1 |
| Miami Dolphins | 6-4 | W1 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 3-7 | L2 |
| Buffalo Bills | 2-8 | W1 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Denver Broncos | 7-3 | W1 |
| Los Angeles Raiders | 6-4 | L2 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 6-4 | W2 |
| San Diego Chargers | 5-5 | W2 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 3-7 | L6 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Rams | 8-2 | L1 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 5-5 | L1 |
| New Orleans Saints | 3-7 | L5 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 1-9 | L3 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Bears | 10-0 | W10 |
| Detroit Lions | 5-5 | L2 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 5-5 | L1 |
| Green Bay Packers | 4-6 | W1 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 1-9 | W1 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas Cowboys | 7-3 | W1 |
| New York Giants | 7-3 | W4 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 5-5 | W1 |
| Washington Redskins | 5-5 | L1 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 4-6 | L1 |
Reveal each quarter as you watch, the next quarter stays hidden until you tap it.
| Team | Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 49ers | Ray Wersching 41 yard field goal | 0-3 |
| Chiefs | Nick Lowery 46 yard field goal | 3-3 |
| Team | Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 49ers | Roger Craig 1 yard rush (Ray Wersching kick) | 3-10 |
| 49ers | Joe Montana 1 yard rush (Ray Wersching kick) | 3-17 |
| Team | Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 49ers | Dwight Clark 22 yard pass from Joe Montana (Ray Wersching kick) | 3-24 |
| Team | Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 49ers | Russ Francis 8 yard pass from Joe Montana (Ray Wersching kick) | 3-31 |
Joe Montana threw two touchdown passes and the 49ers' defense held Kansas City to three points in the second half of a 31-3 win at Candlestick Park. Montana finished 24 of 36 for 254 yards with no interceptions. Roger Craig rushed for 108 yards and two touchdowns. The 49ers improved to 6-5.[1][2][3]
The 49ers dominated Kansas City 31-3 with Craig's 108-yard, two-touchdown rushing performance leading the ground game. Montana's 254-yard, two-touchdown, zero-interception game restored the passing efficiency lost in the altitude two weeks earlier.
Craig's 108 yards on 17 carries included two rushing touchdowns — a 15-yard run in the second quarter and a 12-yard score in the third. Montana found multiple receivers for the two passing touchdowns. The 49ers scored on their first four possessions.
Kenney went 14 of 31 for 183 yards and no touchdowns. The Chiefs' 3 points came on a first-quarter field goal; they were shut out of the end zone for the final three quarters. The 49ers' defense held the Chiefs' run game to 67 yards.
49ers 31, Chiefs 3. Margin: plus 28. Record: 6-5.
A 31-3 home win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Craig's 108-yard game leads the offense as the 49ers start their five-game closing run.
How it unfolded
Montana's first touchdown came on the second drive. Craig's first rushing score came in the second quarter. The 49ers led 21-3 at halftime and added 10 in the third. The Chiefs were shut out in the final three quarters.
The turning point
Craig's second rushing touchdown in the third quarter. With the Chiefs unable to match the 49ers' scoring pace, the 21-point lead built into the 31-3 final without a competitive fourth quarter.
By the numbers
Craig 17 carries for 108 yards, two touchdowns. Montana 24 of 36 at 7.1 per attempt, two touchdowns, zero interceptions. The defense held the Chiefs to 3 points and 67 rushing yards.
What it means
6-5 heading home for Seattle. Win five straight and the 49ers make the playoffs. The home stretch begins with the Seahawks next week.
| SF | Opp | |
|---|---|---|
| Team totals | ||
| First Downs | 12 | 24 |
| Total Yards | 200 | 417 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Passing | ||
| Comp/Att | 22/46 | 24/36 |
| Pass yards | 151 | 254 |
| Pass TD | 0 | 2 |
| Interceptions | 0 | 0 |
| Sacks taken | 3 | 0 |
| Sack yards lost | 26 | 0 |
| Net pass yards | 125 | 254 |
| Rushing | ||
| Rushes | 19 | 35 |
| Rush yards | 75 | 163 |
| Rush TD | 0 | 2 |
| Discipline | ||
| Fumbles | 3 | 3 |
| Fumbles lost | 1 | 2 |
| Penalties | 4 | 6 |
| Penalty yards | 34 | 50 |
| Player | C/A | Yds | TD | Int | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SFO | |||||
| Joe Montana #16 | 23/34 | 235 | 2 | 0 | 106.9 |
| Matt Cavanaugh | 1/2 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 83.3 |
| KAN | |||||
| Todd Blackledge | 10/20 | 77 | 0 | 0 | 59.8 |
| Bill Kenney | 12/26 | 74 | 0 | 0 | 53 |
| Player | Att | Yds | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SFO | ||||
| Wendell Tyler #26 | 16 | 111 | 0 | 21 |
| Roger Craig #33 | 15 | 55 | 1 | 9 |
| Joe Montana #16 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Matt Cavanaugh | 1 | -2 | 0 | -2 |
| Derrick Harmon | 1 | -3 | 0 | -3 |
| KAN | ||||
| Mike Pruitt | 10 | 33 | 0 | 13 |
| Jeff Smith | 2 | 27 | 0 | 27 |
| Herman Heard | 4 | 13 | 0 | 13 |
| Bill Kenney | 3 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Player | Rec | Yds | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SFO | ||||
| Dwight Clark #87 | 3 | 77 | 1 | 38 |
| Roger Craig #33 | 8 | 70 | 0 | 19 |
| Russ Francis #81 | 5 | 48 | 1 | 15 |
| Jerry Rice #80 | 1 | 19 | 0 | 19 |
| Wendell Tyler #26 | 3 | 18 | 0 | 14 |
| Carl Monroe | 2 | 9 | 0 | 7 |
| Mike Wilson #85 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| John Frank | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| KAN | ||||
| Carlos Carson | 3 | 40 | 0 | 20 |
| Jeff Smith | 5 | 21 | 0 | 7 |
| Walt Arnold | 3 | 20 | 0 | 8 |
| Jonathan Hayes | 2 | 16 | 0 | 8 |
| Ethan Horton | 2 | 13 | 0 | 8 |
| Herman Heard | 3 | 13 | 0 | 8 |
| Mike Pruitt | 2 | 12 | 0 | 8 |
| Anthony Hancock | 1 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| Stephone Paige | 1 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
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Find the thread Start the threadCanonical title: [Rewatch Party] 1985 W11 - 49ers vs Kansas City Chiefs - Game Thread