49ers vs. Chiefs 3rd quarter: Wide receivers drop like flies

Mahomes found Gray for 30 yards, then Mecole Hardman ran for 20 yards. It wasn't long until the Chiefs were inside the San Francisco 10-yard line. A trio of defensive penalties brought the ball to the one-yard line, where Kareem Hunt scored the go-ahead touchdown to give Kansas City a 7–3 lead.

The 49ers didn't answer on offense — or special teams, for that matter. Purdy threw it into the helmet of Dominique Pooney on second down. Brandon Iyuk had a step on third down, and would have had an explosive play, but ran before he could catch the ball.

Special teams, as they do, gave up a 55-yard return to put the Chiefs in the scoring zone.

The defense forced a 3rd and 5, and after initially covering everyone, Mahomes extended the drive as he always does and found a receiver for a first down. The defense would have another chance, this time on 3rd and 3.

DeWinters, who was the starting nickel linebacker, was a little too aggressive, giving up his feet and missing tackles. One play later, Hunt scored again to make it 14-3.

Up to this point, the Chiefs had 30 plays compared to the 49ers 13. The Niners always talk about playing complementary football, but through 1.5 quarters it didn't exist. More than ever, crime must be answered.

Who will they go to? Kittle had a 22-yarder. But on the next play, both players missed a block by George Karlaftis. Then, on 3rd and 12, Purdy missed Ayuck when there was another unblocked pressure. Tom Brady, the color commentator, called it “average throwing and even worse pass protection.”

Mitch Wishnowski had already tied his season-high in a game for punts with four before the end of the second quarter. The 49ers were 0-for-5 on third downs and proved that, once again, they had no answer for Spaggs' blitz.

With 1:39 left in the second quarter, San Francisco had more penalties (6) than first downs (2).

We'd love to have our first Ricky Pearsall reception within a two-minute drive. Devo was not there as Samuel was in the locker room. On third down, Shanahan dialed a gem of a call, isolating Kittle on a safety for a 41-yard gain.

Ayuk caught a 15-yard pass to follow it up but appeared to roll both ankles. So, with 37 seconds to go inside the red zone, the 49ers will be without their top three wide receivers. Jacob Cowing made his first career catch on a screen pass.

The Niners managed a field goal off the drive to make the score 14-6 before halftime. But Ayuk was taken to the locker room where he suffered a serious knee injury.