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Kansas City Defense Shuts Down 49ers in 28-18 Win

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Kansas City Defense Shuts Down 49ers in 28-18 Win


Another 49ers loss to Kansas City and the concern is that Kyle Shanahan has yet to figure out Steve Spagnuolo’s defense in five years. Press man coverage and aggressive pressure led to three Brock Purdy interceptions as the 49ers fell yet again to Kansas City 28-18.

The Chiefs defense has led their 6-0 start, they held Purdy to 17-31 for 212 yards, with the three picks creating a passer rating of 36.7. Purdy has to cure himself of forcing the ball into double coverage, that’s where the majority of his picks have come from this season.

Jordan Mason had 58 yards rushing, primarily due to a 26-yard run. Half of his 14 carries went for two yards or less.

The Niners only had one answer, George Kittle with six catches for 92 yards. Jacob Cowing had a 41-yard explosive on a nice double move. Ricky Pearsall had three catches for 21 yards in his league debut.

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The Niners receivers barely cracked 100 yards. Deebo Samuel was sick before the game. The 49ers fear Brandon Aiyuk is out for the season with a torn ACL.  He”ll undergo an MRI on Monday. Add Jauan Jennings missing this game with a hip injury and the Niners could be very short-handed at receiver against Dallas.

The 49ers are 3-4 and look it. They are a team of moments not games.

Game Balls

George Kittle 6-92 and a long of 41 on an underthrown ball.

Malik Mustapha the team leader in tackles with 12 including two sledgehammer hits.

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Taking Stock

The 49ers doubled down on veterans and are getting inspiring play from Fred Warner as a DPOY candidate. Deommodore Lenoir has been a reliable playmaker. Nick Bosa has brought consistent pressure if not sacks. Trent Williams is top five in the PFF ratings. Jordan Mason has been essential, Jauan Jennings has been a rock, George Kittle has delivered. After that, Jekyll and Hyde from Brock Purdy, running into trouble against great defensive coordinators.

Many of the week-to-week contributions have been from rookies. On a team looking for the veterans to lead the way.

The question is if Kyle Shanahan’s offense has reached its expiration date? It has against the best defensive coordinators, but there’s only a handful of them. That said, Shanahan is beginning to look more like the guy that has Christian McCaffrey on his team than a genius.

The more games that McCaffrey and Dre Greenlaw miss, the more evident it becomes that they are the players who take the team execution from good to elite. Without them, this is a .500 team.

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Now What?

This is a team in transition. It has invested in vets but the kids are carrying them. Shanahan will need to respond accordingly, such as more targets for Jacob Cowing.

One issue is the time bomb problem. Vets that are done are spelled by young players that aren’t ready for prime time. De’Vondre Campbell should not be starting, but Dee Winters can only get to the play, he can’t close. Either way the Niners pay a price.

Another issue is waiting for Purdy to grow out of this phase in his young career. Too many risks, overreacting to pressure, his decision making is stuck right now, and stuck on the same mistakes.

At the same time, Purdy can play well with great stats against lesser defenses. His evolution will require more consistency and smarter decisions. That comes with time, but until it arrives, the offense will reflect his inconsistency.

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The defense Purdy faces is determining his success or failure right now, Purdy has to evolve past that. I believe he will, but this season will take some losses from that.

Is this team a Super Bowl contender? No. However, this is the type of season where a team that gets hot late can make a run. Kansas City and Detroit look like the class of the league.

That the Niners took these Chiefs to overtime in the Super Bowl seems a lifetime ago for both teams. Kansas City got worse, yet they just controlled the Niners, which is a sign of how far the Niners have fallen. With McCaffrey and Greenlaw can they close that gap? Maybe, but that seems optimistic. There are too many setbacks on this team. Too many places where they’ve taken a step back, roster and coaches.

Next Up

The Niners move on to Dallas, a team that they have owned for years. The Cowboys will be amped for the Sunday night game and another chance at revenge.

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Mike McCarthy coming off a bye doesn’t strike the fear of Andy Reid off a bye. The Dallas offense has only cracked 20 points once this year and the defense gave up 47 to Detroit.

Prior to their bye week, the Niners need a win over the Cowboys, or they skid into the bye losing three of four. The lone win gift-wrapped by Seattle’s Geno Smith.

San Francisco needs this win to get back to .500. Dallas is not good, the Niners are mediocre, 49er moments should be enough to get the win next week.



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2025 NFL Draft scouting report: Devin Neal, RB, Kansas

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2025 NFL Draft scouting report: Devin Neal, RB, Kansas


Nov 9, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Iowa State Cyclones defensive back Jeremiah Cooper (4) hits Kansas Jayhawks running back Devin Neal (4) during the fourth quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images

Cutback Ability 

The first thing you see when you watch Devin Neal is his ability to make decisive decisions as a runner. It allows him to see and find running lanes as they develop or while they are. It is also showcased when he breaks into the second level and is tasked with making a defender miss. 

Speed 

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Neal can finish runs when in space, break off long runs, and find the endzone when given the chance. He shows whenever he is given the chance to be a receiver and already has momentum built up. With any touch of the ball he has, he can go to the endzone with his speed. 

Receiving Ability

Neal has some drops on his film, he isn’t perfect, but he gets open when tasked with running a route. He does a good job of moving without the ball in his hands, and it allows him to be in a position to be a reliable receiver. Once he gets the focus drops out of the way, he can really find some nice receiving work in the NFL if given the chance.



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Kansas State Fans Unload On Jerome Tang After Wichita State Loss

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Kansas State Fans Unload On Jerome Tang After Wichita State Loss


Kansas State’s meltdown loss to the Stockers can be attributed to many on the team.

But it was coach Jerome Tang who was the center of the criticism Saturday night. This is the second time in the last three games where the Wildcats were outdone dramatically in the second half.

Kansas State stars Coleman Hawkins and David N’Guessan combined for just 15 points on 35 percent shooting. Meanwhile, David Castillo went 0 of 7 from 3-point range, contributing to a 28 percent shooting performance from the arc.

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On the other end, Wichita State’s Xavier Bell and Corey Washington combined for 42 points. The Shockers collectively got to the paint and free-throw line very often Saturday.

“I saw this live,” one user said. “Competitive for 30 minutes, the Cats freaked out being down by 4 and couldn’t stop chucking threes and play horrible defense. Tang tries but this squad has no heart and grit. Soft. Fragile.”

Kansas State starts facing conference opponents next week, with their first Big 12 matchup against Cincinnati (9-1) Monday night. But honestly, most fans are ready to throw in the towel on the season already.

“I love this college with my whole heart,” another fan said. “Will always support the University but this is one of the worst starts to a season I have ever seen. This is not the standard we have built and something needs to change. The program should be embarrassed because the fans sure are.”

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Jayden Armant is a graduate of the Howard University School of Communications and a contributor to Kansas State Wildcats on SI. He can be reached at jaydenshome14@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.





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Chiefs Suffer Several Big Injuries Before Steelers Game

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Chiefs Suffer Several Big Injuries Before Steelers Game


The Pittsburgh Steelers have been pummeled with injuries over recent weeks. They aren’t alone in that predicament, however, as their Christmas Day opponent in the Kansas City Chiefs are currently dealing with their fair share of bumps and bruises.

Defensive tackle Chris Jones (calf), wide receiver Xavier Worthy (ankle), offensive tackle Jawann Taylor (knee) and linebacker Jack Cochrane (ankle) all went down in Kansas City’s win over the Houston Texans on Saturday afternoon, casting doubt on their collective statuses for Wednesday’s meeting with Pittsburgh in a short week.

Jones, widely regarded as one of the NFL’s elite defensive talents for the better part of a decade, sustained his injury in the fourth quarter. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid described it as a strain, and it’s unclear if he’ll be ready to go against the Steelers.

The five-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro has recorded five sacks on the season to go with 30 total tackles, nine of which have gone for losses, and a forced fumble.

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Worthy, who was selected with the No. 28 pick of the first round in the 2024 draft, posted a career-high six catches for 65 yards and a touchdown versus Houston. He departed with his injury in the second quarter before returning after halftime and remaining available from that point forward, meaning he’s likely good to go against the Steelers.

Reid also described Taylor’s injury as a strain after he was pulled in the third quarter of Saturday’s contest. The 27-year-old has held a spot on the Chiefs’ injury report since Week 13 with a knee issue, though he’s yet to miss a game both this season and throughout his entire six-year career.

Taylor occupies the right tackle spot and has made 15 starts this campaign. Kansas City’s depth has already been tested after left tackle D.J. Humphries was inactive versus Houston with a hamstring injury, leaving Wanya Morris and second-round rookie Kingsley Suamataia as the team’s most likely options at the two spots if the former pair of players can’t work their way back onto the field in the coming days.

Cochrane fractured his ankle, per Reid, which may very well end his year. The special teams ace logged a total of 306 snaps, mustering five tackles over that stretch.

The Chiefs are now 14-1 and have a magic number of one to clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC, meaning another win or a single Buffalo Bills loss would do the job.

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Thus, Kansas City could adopt a safe approach by resting some of its guys and opting not to risk worsening the health of its players with such little down time before taking on the Steelers.

Pittsburgh, on the other hand, has seen its hold on the AFC North slip out of its hands following a loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday that has both teams sitting with a 10-5 record.

Though the Steelers have clinched a postseason berth, they are currently on a two-game losing streak and would ideally avoid slipping any further.

Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (knee) and wide receiver Ben Skowronek (hip) both suffered injuries against Baltimore while cornerback Donte Jackson (back), defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (groin), quarterback Justin Fields (abdominal), safety DeShon Elliott (hamstring) and wide receiver George Pickens (hamstring) all didn’t make an appearance with pre-existing wounds.

Pittsburgh needs to get off the schneid quickly, and the hope is that it can return several key pieces whom are currently on the mend for its bout with the reigning Super Bowl champions from KC.

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Make sure to bookmark Steelers On SI to get all your daily Pittsburgh Steelers news, interviews, breakdowns and more!



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