49ers flatlined by Chiefs, Mahomes as injuries continue to mount

The 49ers and Chiefs came into Week 7 with a lot to play for on both sides. Instead, only one team showed up, as the Red & Gold’s afternoon slowly morphed into a car crash of horrifying proportions.

The San Francisco 49ers fell victim to quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, losing 28-18. While the scoreline suggests a closer contest, it was anything from it. SF’s offense looked lethargic for most of the game, while its’ defense eventually fell pray to Mahomes’ magic on its’ way to a 3-4 record.

To make matter worse, the injuries and ailments piled up, leaving QB Brock Purdy with little weapons to work with by the end.

Week 7’s clash started out at a snails’ pace, as the 49ers’ offense lost a key member as the game commenced. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel came down with an illness before the contest. He would only see the field for the first series, unable to continue after that.

In turn, the 49ers struggled to move the ball, putting up only three points in the first quarter. SF’s four drives in the quarter went as followed: Punt, interception, punt, field goal. The 49ers had one first down to the Chiefs’ 11 at one point in the first half.

On the other side, Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense came out slow as well, unable to put up points on its’ first three possessions. SF’s defense stood tall by making plays, forcing a turnover on downs and interception to put the offense is a good position.

But after falling short over and over again, the visitors had answers.

The second quarter saw that, as KC went on two long drives totaling over eight minutes of game clock. Both possessions saw an end result of running back Kareem Hunt finding the endzone for touchdowns. The Chiefs would go into halftime up 14-6 after the 49ers converted another FG.

The real story entering halftime was that of Brandon Aiyuk.

The 49ers’ star receiver suffered an apparent knee injury before the half closed, forced to come off the field. After going into the medical tent, Aiyuk was carted to the locker room He would not return, with the fears of an ACL tear quite possible.

#49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk is feared to have torn his ACL during today’s game, coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters. He said that’s the worry.

If the MRI confirms, he’d be out for the season. A potentially brutal injury. pic.twitter.com/wJOg4SggDA

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 20, 2024

After the intermission, the 49ers had a bit more immediate success.

Its’ defense picked off Mahomes for the second time Sunday, while the offense finally got a drive going. The latter was the biggest evolution 0of the contest, going seven plays straight to the endzone. A QB sneak by Purdy from one yard out saw the lead get cut to two points, 14-12. But, K Anders Carlson missed the extra point, costing the 49ers later on.

SF would have a chance to take the lead on the next possession, but fell short thanks to turnovers.

Purdy & Co. were on a seven-play drive once more, halting by an interception. The gunslinger tried to hit WR Ronnie Bell on an out-breaking route. Instead, he threw it too far, right into the hands of the Chiefs.

KC wasn’t letting the opportunity slip away this time, going on a 13-play drive to the house. The biggest play of the game came here, when Mahomes scramble for 33 yards inside SF’s five-yard line. The veteran QB ran past 49ers, pump-faking his way into first and goal.

The magic of Mahomes: pic.twitter.com/urLelxF9pe

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 20, 2024

A few plays later, he’d finish off the 79-yard drive with one-yard rush, trucking safety Malik Mustapha in the process.

21-12 Chiefs at the start of the fourth quarter, now a two-possession lead over the 49ers.

The Red & Gold feels hopeless thereafter, trying to get something to go tis’ way with time ticking to a close. The 49ers did find some success, but another costly INT at the goal-line by Purdy put the game out of reach at the 9:29 mark.

Kansas City would respond with another TD score, throwing salt into the wounds of an already eaten-alive carcass. San Francisco would return the favor, via another one-yard run by Purdy. But it was too little, too late with 1:08 remaining.

A sad attempt of an onside kick by punter Mitch Wishnowsky chalked up the day for the 49ers poetically, ending 28-18 in Week 7.

The 49ers drop to 3-4 on the 2024 season, looking to rebound Week 8 against the Dallas Cowboys before its’ Bye Week.

San Francisco 49ers 2024 Schedule:

Regular Season

• Sunday, October 27th vs. Dallas Cowboys [SNF] – 5:20 pm PDT
• Week 9 Bye Week
• Sunday, November 10th @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 10 am PDT
• Sunday, November 17th vs. Seattle Seahawks – 1:05 pm PDT

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