Chiefs-49ers: 8 winners and 2 losers in Week 7 Super Bowl rematch

On Sunday afternoon, we noticed an odd (and dominant) efficiency by the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, who made it to 6-0 with a two-score, 28-18 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. This contest featured 5 interceptions and a number of accidents to vast receivers. Every crew needed to adapt — so tight ends led the receiving stats for each squads.

Listed below are a number of Chiefs who stood out throughout Kansas Metropolis’s important victory.

Winners

Operating again Kareem Hunt: It’s insane to say it — however in 2024, the participant the crew abruptly launched in 2018 is now Kansas Metropolis’s bell-cow working again. When the passing offense was struggling, Hunt put the Chiefs’ offense on his shoulders and ran by means of defenders for over 80 whole yards and two touchdowns on the afternoon. By some means, he’s made it again on the roster — and extra importantly, he’s (largely) again to his 2018 kind. It simply feels proper. And right here’s a shout-out to Kansas Metropolis’s inside offensive line, which seems to be nice when Hunt runs behind it.

Large receiver/punt returner Mecole Hardman: This sixth-year wideout could be on the crew’s roster merely to torture the 49ers. On Sunday, Hardman made 4 performs that helped safe a victory, together with a 20-yard landing run and a 55-yard punt return. The Chiefs even tried to get him into the tip zone with a variation of the route he ran to win Tremendous Bowl LVIII — however Hardman slipped on his break. Even together with that play, that is the Hardman Kansas Metropolis wants.

Defensive backs Christian Roland-Wallace and Jaden Hicks: The day’s worst information was the harm to Jaylen Watson. However seeing these two rookies get defensive snaps — and interceptions — was superior. Each took San Francisco factors off the board. They saved this from being a better sport — and will have made a case for extra taking part in time.

EDGE George Karlaftis: In latest weeks, we’ve referred to as him out for a scarcity of impression performs. And in opposition to the 49ers, he completely responded. Livid George returned to the offensive backfield, with a number of pressures, two quarterback hits and a sack. He saved his greatest cross rush of the day (probably the greatest of his profession) for the sport’s closing moments, when he arrange and executed an inside spin to hit San Francisco’s Brock Purdy as he threw. That led to an interception.

Tight finish Noah Grey: On Sunday, the undisputed No. 2 tight finish was not solely a contributor, however was legitimately featured in some massive moments. Grey ended up with 4 first downs on 4 catches for 66 yards.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes: Our fantasy soccer groups don’t love his numbers, nevertheless it’s laborious to not love how Mahomes finds methods to win. We’ve usually stated, “the very best Mahomes is a working Mahomes.” That was actually the case in Week 7. He not solely broke a Titan-esque 33-yard sideline run, however trucked a big-hitting security when scoring the following landing. By no means guess in opposition to the Chiefs when Mahomes is on the sector.

Linebacker Leo Chenal: From the published sales space, Tom Brady referred to as him one of many league’s most underrated gamers. We needs to be noticing what he does for Kansas Metropolis. When lining up with the defensive linemen, dropping into protection or making tackles on particular groups, he’s robust and athletic — and has demonstrated the instincts that make opposing groups concern him. Have you ever been questioning how the Chiefs’ run protection turned one of many league’s greatest? Watch No. 54.

Losers

Large receiver Skyy Moore: Sigh. After dropping his one alternative this week, the previous second-round choose has no catches on three targets this season. If Moore was an element, Kansas Metropolis won’t must commerce for a receiver. Guess what? The crew goes to must commerce for a receiver.

Tight finish Travis Kelce: Kansas Metropolis’s famous person tight finish had 4 catches for 17 yards in San Francisco, the place the 49ers’ swarmed him like a bunch of Swifties. We should always, nonetheless, notice that Kelce was large as a blocker, (as soon as once more) proving he’s underrated in that regard. However his offensive manufacturing continues to be under his typical normal — even when the crew is hurting for pass-catchers.

Be aware: Making use of the labels “winners” and “losers” is just not meant to be a judgment on the expertise or character of any of those gamers. It’s only a easy method to grade their efficiency in a single sport. No disrespect is meant.