Chiefs Stay Undefeated, Beat 49ers in Super Bowl Rematch

The Kansas City Chiefs maintained their status as the only undefeated team in the league by defeating the San Francisco 49ers 28-18 on Sunday in a rematch of the Super Bowl. Despite Patrick Mahomes throwing two interceptions, he managed to make significant plays with his legs to lead the Chiefs to victory, improving their record to 6-0. The 49ers, now 3-4, faced their fifth consecutive loss to Kansas City, which includes two Super Bowl defeats.

The match did not match the intensity of their previous Super Bowl encounter eight months ago, where the Chiefs claimed a 25-22 overtime victory. However, the outcome remained unchanged.

A significant moment for the 49ers occurred late in the first half when star receiver Brandon Aiyuk was carted off the field after a hit to his right knee. The severity of the injury was not immediately known. Aiyuk's absence was felt during a critical moment late in the third quarter when the 49ers were trying to overcome a 14-12 deficit. A miscommunication between backup receiver Ronnie Bell and quarterback Brock Purdy led to an interception by Chris Roland-Wallace, which the Chiefs converted into a touchdown after Mahomes scrambled for a 33-yard gain, marking his longest run in a regular-season game.

Mahomes also scored on a 1-yard scramble on fourth-and-goal, marking his first rushing touchdown since the 2022 season. The Chiefs' ground game featured four rushing touchdowns, with Kareem Hunt contributing two in the first half and Mecole Hardman sealing the win with an 18-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. This was only the second time the Chiefs recorded four rushing touchdowns in a game started by Mahomes, the first being during the 2018 divisional playoff against Indianapolis.

Mahomes completed 16 of 27 passes for 154 yards, with six touchdown passes and eight interceptions this season. His performance has helped the Chiefs become the tenth defending Super Bowl champion to start the following season with six consecutive wins.

Purdy's performance was similarly lackluster, as he completed 17 of 31 passes for 212 yards, with two rushing touchdowns and three interceptions. His final interception occurred in the end zone midway through the fourth quarter while San Francisco was attempting to rally.

Rookie receiver Ricky Pearsall made his debut for the 49ers after being shot in the chest during a robbery attempt 50 days prior. Activated from the non-football injury list, he participated on San Francisco's opening drive and caught his first career pass late in the second quarter. The 49ers played the second half without their top three receivers, with Jauan Jennings sidelined due to a hip injury, Deebo Samuel limited to four plays because of an illness, and Aiyuk's injury.