Film Review: Breaking down the last 49ers-Chiefs meeting
By Grant Tuttle
The Chiefs have gotten off to a hot start and are coming home to play the 49ers. Here is what happened last time the two teams met.
On October 5th, 2014, the Kansas City Chiefs faced off against the 49ers in San Francisco. In his second year as a Chief, Alex Smith was to seek revenge against the team that traded him. After a concussion, Smith was ultimately replaced by Colin Kaepernick as the team’s starting quarterback of the 49ers.
Smith and the Chiefs struggled throughout the course of the season, marking the only year that a Chiefs team led by Andy Reid would fall short of the Playoffs. Additionally, this was the infamous “no touchdowns from a wide receiver” season. This game in Week 5 was one of the seven disappointing losses in 2014.
Statline:
Passing:
SF: Colin Kaepernick: 14/26, 201 yards, 1 TD.
KC: Alex Smith: 16/30, 158 yards, 1 TD.
Rushing:
SF: Frank Gore: 18 carries, 107 yards, 5.9 Avg., 0 TDs.
KC: Jamaal Charles: 15 carries, 80 yards, 5.3 Avg., 0 TDs.
Receiving:
SF: Brandon Lloyd: 3 receptions, 76 yards, 25.3 Avg., 0 TDs.
KC: Junior Hemingway: 4 receptions, 50 yards, 12.5 Avg., 0 TDs.
Breakdown of key plays:
Note: To view the film, click the link in blue. It will open a tab to YouTube. (My apologies that it has to be done this way.)
Wow. These teams today are nothing like the teams they were in 2014. The Chiefs did have Travis Kelce, but few knew just how special he was going to be at that point. Jamaal Charles was on the team nearing the end of his Chiefs career. Justin Houston was in his prime. Colin Kaepernick was a starting quarterback in the NFL. It is easy to see how different the teams are today. Here is what I saw:
9:02 1st Quarter, 3rd and Goal
After a long drive, we see a touchdown in classic Alex Smith fashion (WATCH). On a quick throw to Kelce in a trips tight ends left formation, the Chiefs overpower the 49ers defensive backs on their way in to the end zone. The Chiefs send a pair of blockers and Spencer Ware to the right off of the snap. This is in an attempt to freeze defenders in the middle of the field. Ultimately Smith gets the ball out quickly on tight end bubble screen. This is a classic Andy Reid three tight end set, Smith throw, and Kelce catch and run.
7-0 Chiefs
4:02 1st Quarter
When the 49ers got the ball back, they put up a solid drive. Kaepernick made some plays with his legs and threw some passes over the middle. However, the Chiefs held them out of the end zone. Phil Dawson made a 31 yard field goal.
7-3 Chiefs
12:18 2nd Quarter
Again, the Chiefs went on a long drive. Junior Hemingway, who was the Chiefs number two receiver at the time (crazy, right?), had a nice reception over the middle, and Charles reeled off a couple of nice runs. However, the offense ultimately stalled on the 49ers side of the field resulting in a field goal attempt. Cairo Santos makes the 42-yard field goal.
10-3 Chiefs
9:49 2nd Quarter
After a long pass from Kaepernick to Brandon Lloyd, the 49ers were able to inch their way into field goal range for Dawson, who made a 55 yard field goal.
10-6 Chiefs
5:10 2nd Quarter, 3rd and 5
The Chiefs got the football back and were forced to punt after the start of a promising drive. The 49ers capitalized on this marching right down the field with a big play from Anquan Boldin (WATCH). Bob Sutton sent five pass rushers and cornerback Chris Owens was left with the task of covering Boldin one on one. With Owens respecting the deep ball, Boldin makes a quick slant inside for a gain of 27.
0:35 2nd Quarter, 3rd and 1
After a series of short plays that ran down the clock and put the 49ers at the nine yard line, the Chiefs allowed their opponent their first touchdown (WATCH). On this play, Kaepernick sees the man to man matchup of Stevie Johnson and Marcus Cooper and decides to take the mismatch. Johnson runs a short corner route and scores against Cooper. I am not one to blame referees, but it looks like Johnson got away with quite a push-off. After a couple of runs from Jamaal Charles, this ends the first half.
10-13 49ers