If there was ever any doubt that the San Francisco 49ers are aiming to win their sixth Super Bowl this year, there hasn’t been since Thursday night. The question mark in the most important position, however, remains intact.
Posted at 8:20 p.m.
Updated at 8:27 p.m.
On Thursday, the Niners traded picks of 2e3e4e and 5e turns to the Carolina Panthers in order to get Christian McCaffrey, one of the most talented and versatile running backs in the NFL. Although he only arrived in Santa Clara on Friday, McCaffrey was in uniform to face the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Unfortunately, that didn’t change much.
As they did in the Super Bowl between the two teams just under three years ago, the 49ers blew a 10-point lead. In fact, the Chiefs scored 44 of the game’s final 57 points in an easy 44-23 victory.
The big difference? The same as during the Super Bowl.
While Patrick Mahomes excelled after throwing an interception early in the game, Jimmy Garoppolo missed too many good chances and was unable to put on a good performance in the second half.
Which brings us to a pretty important question given their Thursday trade: Can the 49ers win a Super Bowl with Garoppolo?
The organization had answered that question by sacrificing three first picks to get their hands on Trey Lance in the 2021 draft… But by sending four picks to the Panthers for McCaffrey, they obviously changed their minds.
PHOTO JED JACOBSOHN, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Christian McCaffrey
On paper, the Niners are as strong as any other team in the National Conference. They have talent at all positions and Garoppolo has already proven he can at the very least take them far in the playoffs. He will now attempt to take the final step with one more weapon in McCaffrey.
Too many options
Defeated by the Buffalo Bills last week, the Chiefs obviously had no aftermath of this setback. Mahomes completed 25 of 34 passes for 423 yards and 3 touchdowns. Travis Kelce caught 6 passes for 98 yards; Mecole Hardman scored 2 rushing touchdowns and one passing; Marquez Valdes-Scantling had 111 yards on just 3 catches; and JuJu Smith-Schuster led the team with 7 pass receptions for 124 yards and a major.
The Chiefs’ DNA is no longer the same without Tyreek Hill, but it makes you wonder if Andy Reid and his offensive coordinator, Eric Bieniemy, are not even more dangerous with their playbook than they were. previously. Kelce, JuJu, Hardman, Valdes-Scantling, backup tight ends Noah Gray and Jody Fortson, and a group of running backs that helped the Chiefs rush to 112 yards against the 49ers, though no player got more from 43 yards… It’s starting to make people suspicious…
Sooner or later, the Chiefs will also incorporate rookie Skyy Moore more into their offense. A second-round pick, the wide-opener stands out for his speed and outburst. Reid and the Chiefs are keeping it up their sleeve for later…
There is the line, too. Led by Creed Humphrey, who threatens Jason Kelce for the title of best center in the league, she dominated a very good defensive front on Sunday. Mahomes suffered just one sack and was rarely bothered by a defense that ranked second in the league in sacks.
Garoppolo (25 for 37 for 303 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception) wasn’t bad, but as is too often the case with him, he wasn’t able to make a few key plays to change the game. pace of the meeting.
In his first game with his new team, McCaffrey gained 38 yards on 8 carries and 24 of 2 catches. You couldn’t expect much more from a player who had only been with the team for approximately 72 hours.
The Chiefs (5-2) are now alone at the top of the American West following the loss of the Los Angeles Chargers (4-3) at the hands of the amazing Seattle Seahawks (4-3). The Chargers injured list continues to grow after losing cornerback JC Jackson on Sunday. In short, the Chiefs are in a good position to win a seventh consecutive division championship.
As for the 49ers (3-4), they have the same record as the Arizona Cardinals and are one victory behind the Seahawks. They will face the other West team of the National, the Los Angeles Rams (3-3), next Sunday. The four teams are therefore very much alive in this section.
Thanks to all the talent they possess, the Niners would normally be considered the favorites of the group. Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk, McCaffrey, a very good offensive line and a top defense, even if it was cut up by Mahomes and company.
Garoppolo no longer has an excuse. Everything is in place. The opportunity to lead his team to the end is in front of him. And it could be his last if he doesn’t succeed.
The hero
PHOTO SAM GREENE, USA TODAY SPORTS
Joe Burrow
Joe Burrow
Elsewhere in the NFL, the Cincinnati Bengals quarterback was stunning in their 35-17 win over the Atlanta Falcons. He hit the target on 34 of his 42 passes for 481 yards and 3 touchdowns. After an ordinary start to the season, the Bengals’ offense has found its way.
The zero
Tight ends day
It may have been a joke to some at first, but the concept of “National Tight Ends Day” is frankly ridiculous. It’s insignificant and it doesn’t make anyone laugh. Hopefully this was the last edition.
The number
3
Favorites to win by 13 points, Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were beaten 21-3 by the Carolina Panthers. Three small points against a team in the middle of a fire sale? One season too many for Brady? It looks more and more like that, yes.
It will make people talk
Brady and Rodgers
Like Brady and the Bucs, Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers bowed to an inferior team, losing 23-21 to the Washington Commanders. Although they aren’t the only ones to blame for the failures of their teams, which both have disappointing 3-4 records, Brady and Rodgers will be in the news again this week.