The 49ers look to break a four-game losing streak against the Kansas City Chiefs since coach Kyle Shanahan took over as head coach in 2017.
A look at those four losses and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes with the 49ers hosting Kansas City Sunday at Levi’s Stadium:
Week 3, Sept. 23, 2018: Chiefs 38, 49ers 27
Site: Arrowhead Stadium
Disaster strikes: With the 49ers having climbed within 38-24 in the third quarter after trailing 35-7 at Arrowhead Stadium, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was hit on a 13-yard third-and-20 scramble to the Kansas City 7-yard line when hit by Steve Nelson. He’s done for the year after signing a five-year extension worth $137.5 million.
Mahomes magic: In his first start against the 49ers and fourth start of his career, Mahomes completed 24 of 38 passes for 314 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He would throw 50 touchdown passes and be named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player.
How it ended: The 49ers staggered to a 4-12 finish. Kansas City won the AFC West at 12-4 and lost to New England 37-31 in overtime in the AFC Championship Game.
Super Bowl LIV, Feb. 2, 2020: Chiefs 31, 49ers 20
Site: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
Disaster strikes: With the 49ers leading 20-10 with 7:13 left in the fourth quarter, Kansas City was faced with a third-and-15 at its own 35. On a play called “Jet Chip Wasp” Mahomes found Tyreek Hill open along the sideline for a 44-yard gain to the 21-yard line. He eventually threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Travis Kelce with 6:14 left to cut the margin to 20-17. With the 49ers trailing 24-20 with 1:49 left, Garoppolo sailed a would-be 51-yard touchdown pass over the head of Emmanuel Sanders.
Mahomes magic: Although the 49ers had Mahomes looking rattled into the fourth quarter, he ended up completing 26 of 2 passes for 286 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions to go along with 29 yards rushing on nine carries and a touchdown.
How it ended: Kansas City running back Damien Williams ran 38 yards for a touchdown with 1:20 to play to put hte game away and give coach Andy Reid his first Super Bowl championship after having lost in the playoffs 14 times as coach of the Eagles and Chiefs.
Week 7, Oct. 23, 2022: Chiefs 44, 49ers 23
Site: Levi’s Stadium
Disaster strikes: With the 49ers within 28-23 after the first possession of the fourth quarter, the Chiefs drove 80 yards in six plays for a touchdown, Garoppolo was hit for a safety by Frank Clark, and Mahomes hit JuJu Smith-Schuster for a 45-yard touchdown with 6:05 left. The 44 points and 529 yards surrendered by the 49ers are the most at Levi’s Stadium in the Shanahan era.
Mahomes magic: The 49ers never really did stop Mahomes, who had so much time to pass he didn’t have a single scramble or rushing attempt. He was 25 of 36 for 423 yards and three touchdowns. The Chiefs were 6-for-9 on third down.
How it ended: Christian McCaffery, acquired during the week by trade, had eight carries for 38 yards and two receptions for 24 yards with limited knowledge of the playbook. In a mop-up role, Brock Purdy made his 49ers debut completing, 4 of 9 passes for 66 yards and a late fourth-quarter end zone interception to Juan Thornhill.
Super Bowl LVIII, Feb. 11, 2024: Chiefs 25, 49ers 22, OT
Site: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas
Disaster strikes: With the 49ers leading 10-6 with 2:42 left in the third quarter, a Tommy Thompson punt bounces off the 49ers’ Darrell Luter and Jaylen Watson recovers for Kansas City at the San Francisco 16-yard line. Mahomes hits Marques Valdez-Scantling for a 16-yard score and the lone Chiefs touchdown in regulation for a 13-10 lead. When the 49ers score on a 10-yard Purdy to Jauan Jennings pass with 11:22 left, Jake Moody’s extra point attempt is blocked for a 16-13 lead instead of 17-13.
Mahomes magic: The Chiefs’ quarterback led field goal drives to tie the game at 16-16 and 19-19 in regulation. In overtime, Mahomes threw the game-winning 3-yard touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman. He was 34 of 46 for 333 yards and two touchdowns and had nine rushes for 66 yards.
How it ended: The 49ers took the ball to open overtime and settled for a 27-yard Moody field goal when Purdy, rushed by Chris Jones, threw incomplete on third-and-4 from the 9-yard line. The game was there for the taking on the ensuing possession. With the Chiefs facing fourth-and-1 at their own 34, Mahomes ran for 8 yards and a first down, the key play in the winning drive.
