SANTA CLARA — Jimmy G had no idea Frank Clark was breathing down his neck.
The Chiefs linebacker burst past 49ers All-Pro tackle Trent Williams and had the No. 10 Garoppolo jersey dead in his sights. Boom. Jimmy G was sacked for a safety in the end zone, and so died any thoughts of an epic two-score comeback.
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs made too many plays against the mistake-stricken 49ers, spoiling Christian McCaffrey’s San Francisco debut with a 44-23 whooping.
The 49ers entered the contest leading the NFL in yards allowed (255.8) and ranking second in points allowed (14.8), but they were absolutely dismantled by Mahomes. The Chiefs racked up 529 total yards by stretching the 49ers horizontally in the run game and vertically in the pass game, as Mecole Hardman totaled three touchdowns to spearhead the attack.
"You know that's a good team and you know they're gonna make some big plays," coach Kyle Shanahan said. "The most frustrating thing was the spots we hurt ourselves."
Kansas City's receivers routinely found space against a 49ers secondary that featured Jimmie Ward at nickel back and a cameo from cornerback Ambry Thomas for Deommodore Lenoir (stinger) at cornerback. Safety Talanoa Hufanga was also evaluated for a shoulder injury and concussion but returned to the field.
Jimmy G, meanwhile, threw a goal-line pick and got completely outplayed by his counterpart Mahomes. Garoppolo finished 25-of-37 for a season-high 303 yards, two touchdowns, an interception and a fumble.
The 49ers started a drive just 12 yards away from the goal line after a muffed punt late in the first half and didn't score, as Garoppolo's pass for George Kittle was picked off at the goal line. The Chiefs went on to score touchdowns on their first three second-half drives to take control of the game, outscoring the Niners 30-10 in after the break.
"We knew going into this game that we had to score touchdowns to match with these guys," Garoppolo said. "We didn't. I think that, plus the combination of the turnover and the penalties, that's what you're gonna get."
The 49ers had an almost uncanny ability to wipe out big gains and first downs with penalties Sunday, as they couldn’t get out of their own way. In all, San Francisco committed 10 penalties for 80 yards.
The timing of the flags was comically bad for the 49ers.
Nick Bosa was lined up in the neutral zone twice during Kansas City's first touchdown drive and that was just the beginning. The following plays were also wiped out by subsequent penalties on 49ers: a 19-yard reception by Brandon Aiyuk, an 18-yard rush by Jeff Wilson Jr., a 31-yard kickoff return by Ray-Ray McCloud, and a 14-yard scramble by Garoppolo.
The Chiefs also picked up some additional first downs on miscues by the defense and 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings committed an ill-advised out-of-bounds tackle on the opening kickoff of the second half, which Shanahan called "really stupid."
McCaffrey (eight rushes, 38 yards and two catches, 24 yards) showed great burst whenever he had the rock and split carries with Wilson (seven rushes, 54 yards).
"Losing's frustrating, but I'm still getting to know these guys," McCaffrey said. "I gotta do my job, I gotta make a few more plays here."
Kittle caught a touchdown from 15 yards out, his first since the NFC Championship last season. Levi’s Stadium got hyped as the 49ers pulled within five with 14:16 left, but the Chiefs closed out the Niners with a dominating fourth quarter, scoring the final 16 points.
"It's very frustrating," Kittle said after his six-catch, 98-yard effort. "Losing sucks. I go into every single game thinking that we're gonna win the game. Especially with what we have an as offense and what we have as a team with the 49ers."
This season is starting to take on shades of 2021, as the 49ers are now 3-4 and have a road date with the defending champ Los Angeles Rams next week. Last year, the Niners turned around their season with a 31-10 Week 10 win over the Rams to avoid falling to 3-6. They'll need a similar effort to prevent their first three-game skid of 2022.
"There's a lot of football left to be played," Garoppolo said. "Don’t wanna hit the panic button or anything like that right now. Just gotta keep plugging away."
