49ers vs. Chiefs 3rd quarter: The wide receivers are dropping like flies

Mahomes found Gray for 30 yards, then Mecole Hardman ran for 20 yards. It didn't take long for the Chiefs to get inside San Francisco's 10-yard line. Three defensive penalties moved the ball to the inch-yard line, where Kareem Hunt scored the go-ahead touchdown, giving Kansas City an early 7-3 lead.

The 49ers didn't respond on offense – or on special teams. Purdy threw it into Dominick Puni's helmet on second down. Brandon Aiyuk took a step on third down and would have made an explosive play, but ran before getting possession of the ball.

The special teams, as they usually do, gave up a 55-yard return to get the Chiefs into the scoring zone.

The defense forced a 3rd & 5, and after initially covering everyone, Mahomes extended the drive like he always does and found a receiver for a first down. The defense would have another chance, this time on 3rd-and-3.

Dee Winters, the new starting nickel linebacker, was a little too aggressive, leaving his feet and missing the tackle. One play later, Hunt scored again to make it 14-3.

To this point, the Chiefs had 30 games compared to the 49ers' 13. The Niners always talk about playing complementary football, but that wasn't happening for 1.5 quarters. More than ever, the crime would have to be answered.

Who would they go to? Kittle had a 22-yarder. But on the next play, two players missed a block against George Karlaftis. Then, on 3rd-and-12, Purdy Aiyuk missed after pressure was applied again. Tom Brady, the color commentator, called it an “average throw and even worse pass protection.”

Mitch Wishnowsky had already set his season high in a game with four punts before the end of the second quarter. The 49ers were 0-for-5 on third downs and proved they once again had no answer to Spags' blitzes.

With 1:39 remaining in the second quarter, San Francisco had more penalties (6) than first downs (2).

During the two minute drive we got our first Ricky Pearsall reception. There was no Deebo as Samuel was in the locker room. On third down, Shanahan made a great call, getting Kittle isolated with a safety for a 41-yard gain.

Aiyuk caught a 15-yard pass to relay but appeared to roll both ankles. With 37 seconds to go before reaching the red zone, the 49ers would be without their three best wide receivers. Jacob Cowing made his first career catch with a pass on the screen.

The Niners managed to score a field goal on the drive and make it 14-6 before halftime. But Aiyuk was carted to the locker room where he likely suffered a serious knee injury.