Recap
AI summary, sourced from 1 period article (ESPN AP)
Patrick Mahomes ran for two touchdowns, the Chiefs rushed for a season-high 184 yards with four ground touchdowns, and Kansas City beat the 49ers 28-18 at Levi's Stadium to stay unbeaten at 6-0. Brock Purdy had one of the worst games of his career: 17-of-31 for 212, no touchdowns, three interceptions, a career-low 36.7 rating. He did score the 49ers' only two TDs on 1-yard runs. Deebo Samuel was unavailable after halftime (illness); Aiyuk was ruled out in the third quarter with a knee injury.[1][2][3]
Columnist recap
AI summary, sourced from 1 period article (ESPN AP)
The Super Bowl rematch produced a Super Bowl rematch-ish result, which is to say the Chiefs won and the 49ers spent the day shorthanded. Mahomes scrambled for two touchdowns. Patrick Mahomes threw two interceptions. The Chiefs ran for 184 and four scores. Brock Purdy threw three interceptions and ran for two scores himself. Final 28-18 Kansas City.
The 49ers' day broke when Deebo Samuel exited late in the second quarter and could not return after halftime. Aiyuk left in the third quarter with a knee injury that did not look minor. The offense, even before either exit, was without the deep ball that the season has depended on when Purdy is right.
'One of the worst games of his career,' is the kind of phrase that gets used too easily. Purdy's 36.7 passer rating Sunday was a career low. Some of that was the receiver attrition. Some of it was a Chiefs defense that has spent five years winning these kinds of games. The 49ers are 3-4 with the Cowboys at home next and an NFL schedule that does not get easier.
By the numbers
AI summary, sourced from 1 period article (ESPN AP)
Chiefs 28, 49ers 18. Margin: -10. Seven-game record: 3-4, +22 differential.
- Mahomes: 2 rushing TDs, 2 INTs.
- KC rushing: 184 yards, 4 TDs (most ground TDs since 2018 playoffs).
- Purdy: 17-of-31 for 212, 0 TD, 3 INT, career-low 36.7 rating; 2 rushing TDs.
- Deebo Samuel: out after halftime (illness).
- Aiyuk: out in Q3 (knee injury).
- Chiefs 6-0 (only unbeaten); 49ers 3-4.
Film room
AI summary, sourced from 1 period article (ESPN AP)
A 28-18 loss to the Chiefs in the Super Bowl LVIII rematch. The 49ers fall to 3-4.
How it unfolded
The Chiefs scored on each of their first three drives, two short Mahomes scrambles and a Kareem Hunt rushing TD pushing them to 21-10 at the half. The 49ers cut it to 21-18 in the third on a Purdy 1-yard keeper. Aiyuk left the field early in the third with the knee injury. Purdy threw two interceptions in the second half; one set up another Kansas City touchdown. Mahomes' second scoring run was the dagger in the fourth.
The turning point
Deebo Samuel's exit late in the second quarter. Without his most reliable downfield target, Purdy's read tree shortened, and the Chiefs' defense crowded the box on the run game.
By the numbers
Purdy career low 36.7 passer rating. Mahomes scrambled for 33 yards and two TDs. The Chiefs' four ground touchdowns the most by Kansas City since the 2018 playoffs against Indianapolis. The 49ers ran for 79 yards as a team; without Samuel the offense's run-game advantage evaporated.
Personnel watch
Deebo Samuel exited at halftime, illness. Aiyuk left with a knee injury that would be diagnosed later as a torn ACL. McCaffrey listed inactive. The 49ers played a Super Bowl rematch with their starting quarterback, third tight end, and second-most-recognizable WR available.
What it means
3-4 with the worst loss of the season in a game the 49ers' Vegas line said was a coin flip. The Cowboys come up at home next. Aiyuk's injury status will dominate the week.
