The Kansas City Chiefs never were in danger of losing their game against the San Francisco 49ers. In their 28-18 victory, Patrick Mahomes threw a pair of interceptions, didn’t throw a touchdown, had the most extended running play of the game, and they just found a way to win in a game that was never that close.
When the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII, the narrative was Brock Purdy had arrived. On Sunday against the Chiefs, his team fell to 3-4 on the season, and he threw a trio of interceptions that thwarted any comparisons these two quarterbacks are playing at the same level.
Patrick Mahomes wasn’t great Sunday against the 49ers. He threw a pair of picks, one tipped by a defensive lineman, the other when Xavier Worthy fell on a route, but in the fourth quarter, he guided the Chiefs to a pair of touchdowns that sealed the win, including an angry run from the one-yard line on fourth down.
Yet, in reality, Patrick Mahomes is 6-0 for the first time in his career as a starter!
The struggles on offense were magnified when JuJu Smith-Schuster reaggravated his leg injury. His status for next Sunday in Las Vegas would likely be doubtful. Xavier Worthy had his bell rung twice in this game, but after a brief stint on the sidelines, he returned.
He nearly had a walk-in touchdown bomb, but Mahomes overthrew him by five yards. Worthy is fast, but he’s not that fast. Still, the injury to JuJu and the receivers already out for the season should signal the alarm for General Manager Brett Veach to add a veteran.
Still, Mahomes owes great gratitude to his defense for this win. They were brilliant all game long. Steve Spagnuolo spent the Bye Week devising a plan to give Purdy, and Head Coach Kyle Shanahan fits.
Like the Chiefs, the 49ers lost Deebo Samuels, who was ill, and Brandon Aiyuk, who likely tore his ACL, and if that’s the case, he’s out for the season. Listen, the Chiefs offense will likely resemble what we saw against San Francisco for the remainder of the season.
To their credit, the starting tackles, Wanya Morris and Jawaan Taylor, played much better after a rough start in the first half. Travis Kelce was a nonfactor in the passing game but played his best football as a blocker for Kareem Hunt. Speaking of Hunt, he led the Chiefs in rushing for the third straight week with 78 yards on 22 carries and a pair of rushing touchdowns.
However, the Chiefs got help from another old friend, Mecole Hardman, who had a huge 55-yard punt return, and his fourth-quarter 20-yard touchdown run sealed the win for Kansas City.
That’s the sum of these football teams. When guys are out, someone steps up. Two of those players on defense were Jaden Hicks and Christian Roland-Wallace, both rookies who had a combined snap count of 15 plays this season, had their first interceptions of their careers. Both must step up because cornerback Jaylen Watson left the locker room on crutches. He injured his ankle late in the game, and he’s been their best cornerback all season.
The Chiefs’ defense has become the glue holding their perfect record together. Head Coach Andy Reid and Mahomes also know that but so do opposing offenses that have yet to crack the code. The Chiefs will keep winning as long as Mahomes, Kelce, Hunt, and whomever the next man shows up on the field.
Kansas City will end a five-game stretch with four road games next Sunday in Las Vegas. The Raiders are 2-5 on the season, and after shipping their top player, DeVante Adams, to the New York Jets, they are playing for next season.
Still, this game should deliver some fireworks after the Raiders defeated the Chiefs on Christmas Day last season and their offseason ‘Kermit’ jokes directed at Mahomes.
If I’m a gambler, I take the over in this game!
For now, the Chiefs remain the best team in the NFL, and until further notice, or God forbid, more injuries, this team will keep winning ugly and efficiently.
