49ers Lose Super Bowl Rematch to Chiefs 28-18

Liam OConnor

October 22nd 2024

In a highly anticipated rematch of last season’s conference champions, the Kansas City Chiefs dominated the the San Francisco 49ers on both sides of the ball, cumulating with a final score of 28-18, marking the Chiefs' first 6-0 start in quarterback Patrick Mahomes' illustrious career.

The 49ers, now 3-4, faced significant challenges as their receiving corps struggled due to injuries. Quarterback Brock Purdy, who was under constant pressure, ended the game with no passing touchdowns and three interceptions. This performance by Purdy could be argued as the worst game of his career.

Both teams began the game with shaky performances. A difficult day for passing, resulting in a combined five interceptions between Mahomes and Purdy. Mahomes later sealed the game with a rushing touchdown, while Purdy managed two rushing touchdowns, including a 1-yard run with just over a minute left in the game. Unfortunately for the 49ers, their two-point conversion attempt failed, effectively ending their chances for a comeback.

The game started with the 49ers stopping a Chiefs fake-punt attempt on 4th down and 1, but quickly turned sour for San Francisco. Following the stopped punt, Purdy threw a pass that was intercepted by Chiefs safety Justin Reid, setting the tone for a turnover-heavy game. Despite a solid defensive effort, the 49ers couldn’t capitalize on their opportunities, failing to score a touchdown in the first half.

Andy Reid showcased his post bye week offensive prowess through inventive plays and using Mahomes’ unique skill set reaching the red zone five times in the game. Running back Kareem Hunt led the Chiefs with 78 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries.

The 49ers’ offensive struggles continued as they faced a relentless number one ranked Chiefs defense. Their brightest moment came from rookie receiver Ricky Pearsall, who made a 6-yard catch in his season debut, just months after recovering from a shooting incident. However, the 49ers lost Brandon Aiyuk to a right knee injury shortly thereafter, further depleting their lineup.

In the second half, the 49ers showed signs of resilience. After Nickel Cornerback D’mo Lenoir intercepted Mahomes on a poorly timed pass, they scored their first touchdown of the game with Purdy sneaking in from the goal line. Yet, as they pushed to catch up, a miscommunication with receiver Ronnie Bell and Brock Purdy on a route led to another interception by the Chiefs, stalling their momentum.

The Chiefs' game-clinching drive consumed significant clock time, culminating in Mahomes’ rushing touchdown that put the game out of reach. He finished the day with 154 passing yards, two interceptions, and a rushing touchdown, while Purdy completed 17 of 31 passes for 212 yards, two rushing touchdowns, and three interceptions.

As the 49ers reflect on this loss, coach Kyle Shanahan emphasized the need for improvement across all areas. Following the game, he addressed the media regarding his private conversation with Purdy, clarifying that such discussions are routine after games. Despite Purdy’s challenging outing, Shanahan noted that he has had a strong season overall and is expected to bounce back.

The 49ers will look to regroup as they prepare to host the Dallas Cowboys in "Sunday Night Football" next week, hoping to turn their season around.