NFL Week 5 October 1st San Francisco 49ers, 22 – Kansas City Chiefs, 17
Following on the previous week’s squeaker against Philadelphia, San Francisco began the day focused on building offensive drives and creating better winning margins. Perhaps the other teams in the league have improved, but one has the impression that the Niner offense is like a well-oiled machine with something wedged in the gears…and if just the right force is applied, we will again see the precision of seasons past.
Kansas City came ready to play – taking their first drive 81 yards to the end zone. Chief’s QB Alex Smith tossed a 2-yarder to Travis Kelce for the TD and Cairo Santos’ extra point made the score 7-0. So what was San Francisco’s response? After a nice 33-yard return by Bruce Ellington, the 49ers came right back with a 59-yard drive to the KC 13. On 4th down and 5, SF took the Phil Dawson field goal to close the gap; score 7-3.
KC’s following drive spilled into the second quarter, but this time they were held to a 42-yard field goal; 10-3. The Niners responded with their own field goal – a 55-yarder – to keep pace; score 10-6. Credit the 49er defense for making better reads on the next series…forcing KC to punt the ball with 7:18 left in the second quarter. Finally, the sun shone down on our intrepid troupe. Starting at their own 7, we witnessed a combination of runs, passes and scrambling which took the Niners to the end zone in 13 plays. With 0:35 remaining, we were finally in the lead, 13-10.
The second half reminded us that all glory is fleeting. After our four and out, Kansas City cut right through the Niner’s defense in four plays capped by a De’Anthony Thomas 17-yard run for a touchdown. Back in the hole we went – 17-13.
For the remainder of the game there was only one person who would put points on the board – San Francisco’s kicker, Phil Dawson. With every foot-worth of glorious pigskin lofting, he pounded nails into the Chief’s coffin. In the 3rd at 6:21, the 4th at 8:46 and again at 2:17, it was the golden-footed-one who elevated the 49ers to victory, 22-17.
Due credit also goes to cornerback Perrish Cox for his interception of an Alex Smith pass just before the two minute warning which put the game away – great heads-up defense.
