By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
In a rematch of last year's epic Super Bowl, it was the Kansas City Chiefs who came out on top again over the San Francisco 49ers at Levi Stadium, winning 28-18 and becoming the only team remaining across the NFL with an undefeated record.
Going into Week 7, the Chiefs and Minnesota Vikings were the only teams with an undefeated record. The Vikings fell to the Detroit Lions earlier in the day 31-29.
It was a sloppy day on offense for both quarterbacks in the matchup as both Patrick Mahomes and 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy threw no touchdowns and combined to throw five interceptions, but both teams found success in the running game.
After Anders Carlson, the third kicker of the year for the 49ers, put San Francisco up late in the first quarter with a 55 yard field goal, the Chiefs answered on the next drive early into the second quarter, Kareem Hunt scoring his second touchdown of the season on a one yard rush. Later in the quarter Hunt found the endzone again, this time on a six yard rush, putting Kansas City ahead 14-3 with 6:45 left in the half.
After both teams traded punts, the 49ers put together a nine play drive with 1:39 remaining, ending the first half with another field goal from 24 yards away, sending San Francisco to the locker room at the halftime break trailing 14-6.
The 49ers drew even closer scoring the lone touchdown of the third quarter after their defense picked off Mahomes, putting together a seven play drive that resulted in Purdy scoring with his legs rushing in from one yard out, however Carlson missed the extra point leaving San Francisco down by two points.
After a three and out by the Chiefs in the quarter, Purdy threw his second interception of the game to rookie Christian Roland-Wallace, who got some snaps in place of the injured Jaylen Watson, for the undrafted rookies first career interception. Kansas City went on to get points off the turnover, a one yard rushing touchdown from Mahomes, on a 13 play drive that included the longest rushing play of Mahomes' career.
Head Coach Andy Reid did show some fear following the game that the injury to Watson, which was ruled an ankle injury, could be long term.
“We’ll see what the MRI says, but I don’t think that’s going to be great news,” Reid said.
Following the rushing touchdown by Mahomes, Purdy threw another interception on the next drive, again to a rookie as safety Jaden Hicks picked him off in the endzone, also for his first career interception, setting up Kansas City to drive 80 yards in 12 plays for a rushing touchdown from wide receiver Mecole Hardman, his first of the season.
Purdy rushed in for the final score of the game in the fourth quarter, again from one yard away, but the Chiefs recovered the onside kick and knelt out the remaining clock for the victory.
Mahomes was 16 of 27 passing for 154 yards with three interceptions, rushing five times for 39 yards and a score. Hunt rushed 22 times for 78 yards and two touchdowns, while tight end Noah Gray was the leading receiver with four catches for 66 yards.
Kansas City will stay on the road next week and will head to Las Vegas for another AFC West matchup this time with the Raiders. Kickoff will be at 3:25pm with a 2pm pregame. The game will air on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM) as well as Q Country 92.7.