A rematch of the reigning conference champions closed the script the way the Super Bowl between them did eight months ago: with a Kansas City Chiefs victory.

The Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers 28-18 to improve to 6-0 for the first time in Patrick Mahomes’ decorated career.

Brock Purdy and his injury-laden receiving group fell to 3-4, overwhelmed by the Chiefs’ lightning-quick scheme.

Each team started chaotically on a dangerous day for the passing game, with Purdy and quarterback Patrick Mahomes combining for zero passing touchdowns and five interceptions.

Mahomes rushed for the game-sealing touchdown, while Purdy himself rushed for two scores, including a 1-yard touchdown with 1:08 to play, which might have led to a final comeback opportunity if the two-point conversion attempt had worked.

But that didn’t happen, and San Francisco will reflect on this loss as they determine the severity of their last skill player’s injury.

Brandon Aiyuk’s right knee buckled from the impact of a tackle on a 15-yard catch in the final minute of the first half. He grimaced as he was taken off and was quickly ruled out to join Deebo Samuel (illness), Christian McCaffrey (spare calf/injured) and Jauan Jennings (hip) as they were unavailable.

After the game, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said the team feared Aiyuk suffered an ACL injury.

Purdy had bright spots with his cast of second- and third-string receivers, but the Chiefs’ swarming front seven severely disrupted San Francisco’s offensive rhythm, limiting the Niners to 2 of 11 on third down.

Three plays after Purdy nailed Jacob Cowing 41 yards downfield in the fourth quarter, Chiefs edge rusher George Karlaftis hit Purdy’s arm, contributing to an interception in the end zone with 9:34 to play.

The Chiefs blew the clock and the 49ers’ chances with a sustained scoring drive that sealed their victory – and preserved their unblemished record.

A day of takeaways favored Chiefs

After the 49ers went three-and-out to start the game, San Francisco’s defense suppressed a fake punt attempt, leaving the Chiefs one yard short on fourth-and-2. But the Niners’ momentum was short-lived when Purdy dropped back moments later as edge rusher George Karlaftis closed in, and eleven yards out field safety Justin Reid picked off the pass intended for George Kittle.

Four more total interceptions would follow.

Mahomes’ first came on the next series, when defensive tackle Kalia Davis tipped and then picked off his pass on second-and-15.

The 49ers capitalized on the turnover with the first points of the day, a 55-yard field goal, thanks in part to a pass interference flag that Reid drew.

But as the Niners failed to find the end zone during the first half, the Chiefs employed trick plays and Xavier Worthy end-arounds, Mahome’s defensive diagnoses and Mahome’s physics so unusual that Tom Brady wondered during the broadcast whether Bill Belichick was at home was ripping. his hair out” and watched Mahomes break “every quarterback rule I learned.”

It doesn’t matter: Mahomes did enough to get the Chiefs into the red zone five times, chasing Kareem Hunt who rushed for each of the Chiefs’ first two touchdowns.

Tight coverage limited Purdy’s targets, while unblocked blitzers rushed his mechanics, neutralizing third down attempt after third down attempt.

The 49ers’ brightest point in the first half was receiver Ricky Pearsall catching a 6-yard pass with 1:32 to play in the first half, less than two months after the rookie was shot in an alleged attempted armed robbery. Pearsall made his debut in the regular season this week.

Whether that directly affected the 49ers or whether the timing was coincidental, Purdy completed his next three consecutive passes: a 41-yarder down the left sideline to Kittle, a short pass to Jordan Mason and then a 15-yarder to Aiyuk.

But Aiyuk’s knee buckled during the play, his final play of the day. The 49ers’ field goal before halftime cut their deficit to one score. But they would never catch the Chiefs.

The 49ers opened the second half with a level of determination that could not guarantee their daily fortunes. When Worthy, the Chiefs’ rookie receiver in the first round, slipped on a corner route after Mahomes released his pass, 49ers defenseman Deommodore Lenoir took advantage of the interception. When the passing game continued to struggle, Purdy scrambled for nine yards on third down and then the quarterback keeper on fourth-and-1.

That would set up San Francisco’s first touchdown, a Purdy sneak with three tight ends and two pulling right guards with 10:29 to play in the third.

“That was pretty sick,” Brady raved about the play’s design.

An apparent miscommunication between Purdy and a flatter-than-throw Ronnie Bell gave the Chiefs their second interception. The Chiefs marched down the field thanks to a mix of run and pass plays, culminating in Mahomes scrambling down the left sideline on second-and-7, pumping and focusing his eyes on perceived threat areas enough to find one way or another way to pick up 33 yards.

On fourth and goal, Mahomes finished the job. He looked to his left to gauge Kelce’s availability and then decided to take it in himself. A game-icing touchdown would follow, but Mahomes’ fourth-and-goal score was enough.

Mahomes completed 16 of 27 passes for 154 yards and two interceptions, rushing five times for 39 yards and a touchdown. Hunt led Chiefs skill players with 78 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries.

Purdy completed 17 of 31 passes for 212 yards and three interceptions, with eight carries for 27 yards and two touchdowns.

Kittle led all skill players with 92 yards on six catches.