Kansas City improved to 6 and 0 with a 28 to 18 road victory against San Francisco on October 20, 2024, at Levi’s Stadium. Kareem Hunt powered the offense with 78 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries, while the defense forced three interceptions off Brock Purdy. George Kittle led all receivers with 92 yards on six catches for San Francisco, but the 49ers fell to 3 and 4 as their struggles against Kansas City continued for a fifth consecutive game.
Table of Contents
Game Leaders
| Category | Kansas City Chiefs | San Francisco 49ers |
|---|---|---|
| Passing Leader | Patrick Mahomes: 154 yards, 16/27, 2 INT | Brock Purdy: 212 yards, 17/31, 3 INT |
| Rushing Leader | Kareem Hunt: 78 yards, 22 carries, 2 TD | Jordan Mason: 58 yards, 14 carries |
| Receiving Leader | Noah Gray: 66 yards, 4 receptions | George Kittle: 92 yards, 6 receptions |
| Tackles Leader | Justin Reid: 9 total (6 solo) | Malik Mustapha: 12 total (6 solo) |
| Sacks | George Karlaftis: 1.0 | Leonard Floyd: 1.0 |
Quarterback Breakdown
Both quarterbacks struggled in this Week 7 matchup. Patrick Mahomes threw for his second fewest yards in a healthy game, while Brock Purdy turned the ball over three times despite throwing for more yardage.
Passing Stats
| Quarterback | Comp/Att | Yards | TD | INT | Sacks | Rating | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patrick Mahomes (KC) | 16/27 | 154 | 0 | 2 | 2 for 9 yards | 44.4 | 26 |
| Brock Purdy (SF) | 17/31 | 212 | 0 | 3 | 1 for 3 yards | 36.7 | 41 |
Mahomes recorded a 44.4 passer rating, well below his career standards, but made big plays with his legs when the passing game stalled. He scrambled for 39 yards on just five carries, including a 33 yard run in the third quarter.
Purdy finished with a 36.7 passer rating, the lowest of his professional career. According to the official game recap, two interceptions came inside Chiefs territory, stopping drives when San Francisco needed points. The third pick occurred in the end zone during the fourth quarter, ending any hope of a comeback.
Pressure separated the two quarterbacks. When pressured, Purdy completed just 2 of 8 passes for two yards while throwing two interceptions, producing a 0.0 passer rating under duress.
Rushing Attack Comparison
Kansas City leaned heavily on their ground game, posting 184 yards on 39 attempts. This total represented their best rushing output since Week 4 of the 2023 season when they ran for 204 yards against the Jets.
Rushing Stats
Kansas City Chiefs
| Player | Carries | Yards | Average | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kareem Hunt | 22 | 78 | 3.5 | 2 | 13 |
| Patrick Mahomes | 5 | 39 | 7.8 | 1 | 33 |
| Mecole Hardman | 2 | 38 | 19.0 | 1 | 20 |
| Carson Steele | 6 | 17 | 2.8 | 0 | 7 |
| Samaje Perine | 2 | 6 | 3.0 | 0 | 3 |
| Team Total | 39 | 184 | 4.7 | 4 | 33 |
San Francisco 49ers
| Player | Carries | Yards | Average | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Mason | 14 | 58 | 4.1 | 0 | 26 |
| Brock Purdy | 8 | 27 | 3.4 | 2 | 9 |
| Kyle Juszczyk | 1 | 14 | 14.0 | 0 | 14 |
| Isaac Guerendo | 1 | 2 | 2.0 | 0 | 2 |
| Team Total | 24 | 101 | 4.2 | 2 | 26 |
Hunt now has three touchdowns across three games since returning to Kansas City. Head coach Andy Reid committed to the veteran back throughout the contest, using 22 carries to control possession and keep San Francisco’s offense sidelined.
Mason battled through contact all afternoon but couldn’t generate explosive plays. With Christian McCaffrey still sidelined, the 49ers lacked their typical punch in the running game. Mason averaged just 4.1 yards per carry against a Chiefs defense that stacked the box to stop the run.
Receiving Production
Kansas City spread targets across multiple receivers while San Francisco leaned heavily on George Kittle with their top three receivers either limited or unavailable.
Kansas City Chiefs Receiving
| Player | Targets | Receptions | Yards | Average | Long | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noah Gray | 4 | 4 | 66 | 16.5 | 26 | 0 |
| Travis Kelce | 5 | 4 | 17 | 4.3 | 7 | 0 |
| Xavier Worthy | 8 | 3 | 19 | 6.3 | 8 | 0 |
| Samaje Perine | 1 | 1 | 22 | 22.0 | 22 | 0 |
| Mecole Hardman | 2 | 1 | 17 | 17.0 | 17 | 0 |
| Kareem Hunt | 2 | 2 | 5 | 2.5 | 3 | 0 |
| Justin Watson | 1 | 1 | 8 | 8.0 | 8 | 0 |
San Francisco 49ers Receiving
| Player | Targets | Receptions | Yards | Average | Long | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Kittle | 7 | 6 | 92 | 15.3 | 41 | 0 |
| Jacob Cowing | 3 | 2 | 50 | 25.0 | 41 | 0 |
| Brandon Aiyuk | 6 | 2 | 23 | 11.5 | 15 | 0 |
| Ricky Pearsall | 5 | 3 | 21 | 7.0 | 9 | 0 |
| Jordan Mason | 2 | 2 | 11 | 5.5 | 7 | 0 |
| Ronnie Bell | 2 | 1 | 10 | 10.0 | 10 | 0 |
| Isaac Guerendo | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5.0 | 5 | 0 |
Gray posted career highs with 66 yards on four catches, becoming a reliable safety valve for Mahomes. The tight end hauled in a nine yard reception on third and four during Kansas City’s final scoring drive, moving the chains and helping burn crucial time off the clock.
Kittle accounted for 43 percent of San Francisco’s passing yardage despite constant attention from Kansas City’s secondary. He caught a 41 yard pass in the second quarter that gave the 49ers rare momentum, though they settled for a field goal after the drive stalled inside the red zone.
Ricky Pearsall made his NFL debut exactly 50 days after being shot during an attempted robbery in San Francisco. The first round pick caught three passes for 21 yards in limited action as injuries depleted San Francisco’s receiver depth. His presence provided a much needed spark when the team desperately needed playmakers.
Defensive Performance
Kansas City’s defense came through with three interceptions, each occurring in their own territory. Every turnover either stopped a promising 49ers drive or directly led to Chiefs points.
Defensive Leaders
Kansas City Chiefs
| Player | Position | Tackles | Solo | Sacks | TFL | INT | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Justin Reid | S | 9 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Nick Bolton | LB | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Leo Chenal | LB | 5 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| George Karlaftis | DE | 3 | 2 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Bryan Cook | S | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Christian Roland-Wallace | CB | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Jaden Hicks | S | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
San Francisco 49ers
| Player | Position | Tackles | Solo | Sacks | TFL | INT | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malik Mustapha | S | 12 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fred Warner | LB | 8 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Deommodore Lenoir | CB | 8 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Charvarius Ward | CB | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Leonard Floyd | DE | 5 | 1 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Nick Bosa | DE | 3 | 2 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Maliek Collins | DT | 4 | 2 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Justin Reid picked off Purdy in the first quarter, stopping a 49ers drive at the Kansas City 45 yard line. San Francisco trailed by just two points early in the third quarter when rookie cornerback Christian Roland-Wallace delivered the game’s pivotal play. He picked off Purdy’s off-target pass intended for Ronnie Bell at the Kansas City 21 yard line. The Chiefs scored a touchdown on the following possession to extend their lead to nine.
Jaden Hicks clinched the victory with an end zone interception in the fourth quarter. The rookie safety stepped in front of Chris Conley at the goal line, securing his first career pick and maintaining Kansas City’s nine point advantage. The takeaway allowed the offense to control the final six minutes.
Mustapha tallied a game-high 12 tackles in his first career start against Kansas City. The rookie safety met Mahomes at the goal line on fourth and one in the fourth quarter. Mahomes lowered his shoulder and powered through Mustapha’s tackle to score the touchdown.
Karlaftis recorded five quarterback pressures despite registering just one sack. The defensive end’s relentless push hurried Purdy into poor throws all game. Kansas City’s defensive front generated pressure on 12 of Purdy’s 32 dropbacks, forcing rushed throws and mistakes.
Special Teams Contribution
Kicking and Punting Stats
| Category | Kansas City | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Kicker | Harrison Butker | Anders Carlson |
| XP Made/Att | 4/4 | 0/1 |
| FG Made/Att | 0/0 | 2/2 (Long: 55) |
| Punter | Matt Araiza | Mitch Wishnowsky |
| Punts | 3 | 4 |
| Punt Average | 59.7 yards | 48.3 yards |
| Long Punt | 67 | 51 |
Carlson connected on a 55 yard field goal in the first quarter, giving San Francisco an early 3 to 0 lead. The kicker, who signed with the team just days before the game, added a 24 yarder before halftime but missed the extra point attempt after Purdy’s first rushing touchdown.
Araiza averaged nearly 60 yards per punt, consistently flipping field position in Kansas City’s favor. He boomed a 67 yarder in the third quarter that pinned San Francisco at their own 20 yard line, forcing the 49ers to drive the length of the field.
Hardman’s 55 yard punt return set up Hunt’s second touchdown and gave Kansas City momentum before halftime. The explosive return gave the Chiefs the ball at San Francisco’s 30 yard line, leading directly to a touchdown three plays later.
Team Stats Comparison
| Category | Kansas City | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 329 | 310 |
| First Downs | 22 | 19 |
| Third Down Conv | 8/14 (57%) | 2/11 (18%) |
| Fourth Down Conv | 1/2 (50%) | 1/1 (100%) |
| Time of Possession | 35:04 | 24:56 |
| Penalties | 4 for 48 yards | 6 for 40 yards |
| Turnovers | 2 | 3 |
| Red Zone Efficiency | 4/5 (80%) | 2/4 (50%) |
Kansas City converted third downs at a 57 percent clip compared to just 18 percent for San Francisco. The 49ers posted their worst third down performance since Week 3 of the 2022 season, failing to sustain drives when it mattered most. San Francisco went 0 for 3 on third downs in the first quarter, establishing an early pattern they couldn’t overcome.
The Chiefs controlled possession for over 35 minutes, keeping their defense fresh while limiting San Francisco’s offensive opportunities. Their final scoring drive consumed 6:20 off the clock while essentially ending the contest.
Red zone execution separated the two teams. Kansas City scored touchdowns on 80 percent of trips inside the 20, while San Francisco managed just 50 percent efficiency. The 49ers settled for field goals when touchdowns were necessary, a pattern that proved costly.
Game Summary
Carlson’s 55 yard field goal gave San Francisco an early 3 to 0 lead late in the first quarter. Kansas City responded with Hunt’s one yard touchdown run at 11:24 of the second quarter, taking a 7 to 3 advantage. Hunt added his second touchdown five minutes later from six yards out after Hardman’s punt return set up Kansas City at the San Francisco 30. Carlson’s 24 yard field goal as time expired cut the halftime deficit to 14 to 6.
Purdy opened the second half scoring with a one yard sneak at 10:29 of the third quarter, capping a drive set up by Lenoir’s 33 yard interception return. Carlson’s missed extra point left the score at 14 to 12. Roland-Wallace’s interception on San Francisco’s next possession swung momentum back to Kansas City.
Mahomes led a 13 play, 79 yard drive that consumed 6:43 off the clock. Facing fourth and one at the San Francisco one yard line, Mahomes scrambled toward the goal line and lowered his shoulder, powering through Mustapha’s tackle for the touchdown at 14:13 of the fourth quarter, extending the lead to 21 to 12.
Hardman sealed the victory with an 18 yard touchdown run at 3:09. The score capped a 12 play drive consisting of 10 runs and just two passes. Kansas City controlled possession for 6:20 and built a 28 to 12 advantage. Purdy added a late rushing touchdown with 1:08 remaining, but the failed two point conversion left San Francisco down 28 to 18. The 49ers attempted an onside kick that Kansas City recovered.
Injury Impact and Historical Notes
San Francisco played without several key contributors. Deebo Samuel appeared on the injury report Saturday with an illness and played just four snaps before exiting. Jauan Jennings missed the entire game with a hip injury.
Brandon Aiyuk suffered a knee injury late in the second quarter after landing awkwardly following a 15 yard catch. Head coach Kyle Shanahan stated after the game that the team feared Aiyuk tore his ACL, which would end his season. The injury crippled San Francisco’s passing attack, removing their most consistent deep threat.
Kansas City improved to 5 and 0 against San Francisco since Mahomes became starting quarterback in 2018. The streak includes two Super Bowl victories and three regular season wins. Andy Reid now holds a perfect record against Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers.
Reid improved to 9 and 3 after bye weeks with Kansas City and 22 and 4 in his career, the best winning percentage among all head coaches since the bye was reintroduced in 1990.
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Critical Factors in Chiefs Victory
Mahomes Created When Structure Collapsed
Mahomes threw for just 154 yards but made plays with his legs when the passing game stalled. In the third quarter, he rolled right under pressure from Nick Bosa. Mahomes stopped at the sideline to freeze linebacker Dee Winters in his tracks, then accelerated downfield for 33 yards. The scramble extended a scoring drive that put Kansas City ahead 21 to 12.
He finished with 39 rushing yards and a touchdown on five carries. When the pocket collapsed and receivers couldn’t separate against San Francisco’s man coverage, Mahomes used his mobility to keep drives alive and convert key downs.
Turnovers Changed Everything
Kansas City’s three interceptions in their own territory altered the game’s flow completely. Each turnover prevented points or led directly to Chiefs scores. The turnover battle became even more lopsided when examining game situation. Purdy threw two picks when San Francisco trailed by one score and desperately needed points. Those mistakes killed any momentum the 49ers built.
Pressure Rate Overwhelmed Purdy
The Chiefs harassed Purdy on 12 of his 32 dropbacks, creating chaos in the pocket. Karlaftis led the charge with five individual pressures. When pressured, Purdy managed just 2 of 8 passes for two yards with two interceptions. Purdy’s struggles under duress separated the two quarterbacks.
Red Zone Execution Made All the Difference
Kansas City scored touchdowns on four of five red zone possessions, matching their season high for efficiency. Hunt accounted for two scores while Mahomes and Hardman added one each. The Chiefs found ways to punch the ball across the goal line through a mix of power runs and Mahomes’ mobility.
San Francisco managed just 50 percent red zone efficiency, settling for field goals when touchdowns were necessary. Purdy’s interception in the end zone during the fourth quarter represented the 49ers’ red zone struggles in a single play.
Third Down Disparity Controlled the Clock
The 57 to 18 percent gap in third down conversions allowed Kansas City to sustain drives and keep their defense rested. San Francisco couldn’t stay on the field, managing just two conversions on 11 attempts. That inability to extend drives kept the 49ers offense off the field and their defense on it.
Ground Game Created Balance
Kansas City’s 184 rushing yards forced San Francisco to commit defenders to the box, creating opportunities in play action. The final drive demonstrated this philosophy perfectly. Ten rushing plays and two passes consumed 6:20 off the clock while moving 80 yards. Hunt, Steele, and Perine combined for 31 yards on nine carries before Hardman’s touchdown sealed it.
Kansas City remained the NFL’s lone unbeaten team at 6 and 0 while San Francisco fell to 3 and 4. The Chiefs extended their winning streak against the 49ers to five consecutive games dating back to Mahomes’ first season as starter.
Game Date: October 20, 2024 | Venue: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA | Attendance: 71,309
