Chiefs’ Latest Win Over 49ers Has Parallels To Super Bowl LVIII

In Super Bowl LVIII, the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers 25-22, and the first score occurred at 14:48 in the second quarter when Jake Moody hit a 55-yard field goal.

During Sunday’s 28-18 Chiefs victory in the first rematch between the two teams, the game started scoreless for more than 13 minutes, and then the first points were also a 49ers 55-yard field goal.

“(Anders) Carlson crushed that kick. But that’s actually really funny that that happened in both games,” Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker said. “It just felt like a slow game and without a lot of action … both defenses were doing a really good job in both games.”

Just as Super Bowl LVIII got off to a sluggish offensive start, the early going on Sunday was ruled by the defenses.

The first quarter alone featured interceptions by both teams. The 49ers didn’t get a first down until their fourth possession, and the Chiefs failed to convert a first down on a fake punt.

That made for an eight-point margin at halftime similar to the seven-point margin in Super Bowl LVIII at the same point.

And once again Mecole Hardman, who had the walk-off touchdown in Super Bowl LVIII, was a thorn in the 49ers’ side. The last time he played at Levi’s Stadium, he had three touchdowns.

To what does Hardman attribute his success against the 49ers.?

“I don’t know,” he said. “I guess it’s just one of them type of things that happens.”

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Hardman, who signed a one-year, $1,125 million contract to re-up with Chiefs, clearly saves his best for the 49ers.

He only had four catches entering the game against the 49ers.

But on Sunday he had an 18-yard end-around for a touchdown and a 55-yard punt return, which led to a scoring drive that gave the Chiefs a 14-3 lead with 6:53 left in the first half.

Hardman’s touchdown gave the Chiefs a 28-12 lead with 3:09 left in the game.

Differences From Super Bowls

In the previous Super Bowls between the teams, the 49ers led in the fourth quarter in both.

But this one got of out hand in large part because of a poor performance by 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy.

The third-year quarterback has the most team-friendly deal in the NFL. Because he was a seventh-round pick, he’s on a four-year, $3.7 million contract, including just a $985,000 cash payout this year.

Although he represents great value, his three errant interceptions were nowhere near their target.

“I’ve just got to play better for sure,” he said, “with my throws and some decisions.”

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes also threw two interceptions, but one was because of a pass deflection, and on the other, rookie Xavier Worthy, the intended receiver, slipped.

Though Mahomes didn’t always look accurate with his throws, his legs proved to be a major difference in the game.

On a 33-yard run, he eluded linebackers Fred Warner and Dee Winters.

“We know Pat’s got the sauce, man,” linebacker Drue Tranquill said. “So it was cool seeing him scamper around the side.”

Four plays later Mahomes trucked rookie safety Malike Mustapha, one of the 49ers’ hardest hitters, for the touchdown run.

Mahomes joked about his dad bod helping him, but teammates said that one-yard score showed his strength.

“Pat’s bigger than people think,” running back Kareem Hunt said. “He dropped his shoulder on him. I like that.”

49ers Misery Continues

Since head coach Kyle Shanahan took over in 2017, the 49ers are 0-5 against Kansas City, including two home losses and two Super Bowl losses.

Both of the teams’ coaching staffs watched film of Super Bowl LVIII in preparation for Sunday’s game.

“Everyone understands that we’ve lost two Super Bowls to them,” Shanahan said. “So I mean that can give a little post-traumatic stress when you turn on tape. I think that’s human nature.”

Seven current 49ers players — Nick Bosa, Kyle Juszczyk, George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, Warner, Dre Greenlaw (who is on injured reserve) and Mitch Wishnowsky — played in not only the last Super Bowl, but also Super Bowl LIV, which the Chiefs won, 31-20.

“That game will always stay with me,” Warner said. “It was devastating.”

While the 49ers are left to wonder what went wrong in yet another loss to the Chiefs, Kansas City remains undefeated and once again the team to beat.

“They win those gritty games,” Kittle said.