To be fair, Anders Carlson was the third kicker for the San Francisco 49ers in the last three weeks. Keep that in mind as you try to take in what has to be the most pitiful attempt at an onside kick in recent NFL history.
In case the "obvious" nature of the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers took over and caused you to turn off the broadcast a bit early, you missed out on a rather hilarious moment at the endβat least for Chiefs Kingdom. That's because Carlson and company tried their best to put together some last gasp and ended up making themselves look even worse.
Well, he is kicker number three.
On a day in which the visiting Chiefs beat the 49ers by multiple scores despite being without their top three wide receivers, their best running back, and multiple starting defenders, the 49ers were still trying to tie the game with one minute left despite the overwhelming odds against them. It's not that we blame them, but we did expect a better effort than this when attempting an onside kick.
WORST ONSIDE KICK IN HISTORY π pic.twitter.com/a5xCyBfKrY
β Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) October 20, 2024
Yeah, we're not sure what that's called, but that's not an onside kick.
To Carlson's credit, he was on the practice squad to start the day and was called up to serve as Matthew Wright's replacement who was Jake Moody's replacement last week. Moody was injured two weeks ago and Wright hit injured reserve this weekend, so Carlson was pressed into duty. Unfortunately his solid 55-yard field goal make in the first half will now be overshadowed by a single kick that represents well the sort of day enjoyed by the 49ers overall.
Without Isiah Pacheco, the Chiefs still ran all over the 49ers. Even without Juju Smith-Schuster, Hollywood Brown, and Rashee Rice, the Chiefs still found a way to burn the Niners through the air using targets like Mecole Hardman and Noah Gray. Even without Mike Danna and then seeing Jaylen Watson get injured, the Chiefs defense still suffocated Brock Purdy and company.
As for the kick, we'll let social media take it from here:
nice onside kick there pic.twitter.com/DJeX0BlYav
β Brandon H. (@BHIndepMO) October 20, 2024
Pretty cool of the 49ers to let a fan come and try the onside kick pic.twitter.com/XR3cVg8zrC
β Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) October 20, 2024
49ers onside kick to get it back pic.twitter.com/GsvQxQUIOd
β Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) October 20, 2024
Look - I have no idea what goes in to kicking a football. But, the 49ers executed the WORST onside kick I have ever seen. #ChiefsKingdom
β Brad Porter (@bradkporter) October 20, 2024
That is the greatest onside kick I've ever seen in my life.
β Kent Swanson (@kent_swanson) October 20, 2024
Never seen an onside kick travel less than five yards before.
β Ragnarok Lobster πΊ (@eclecticbrotha) October 20, 2024