Patrick Mahomes and Chiefs stay undefeated, beat 49ers 28-18 in Super Bowl rematch

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The formula might look a bit different with the defense and running game carrying the Kansas City Chiefs. But the results are awfully familiar as the two-time defending champions keep knocking off teams — especially the San Francisco 49ers.

Patrick Mahomes overcame two interceptions to deliver a few big plays with his feet and the Chiefs remained the league's only undefeated team, beating the 49ers 28-18 Sunday in a Super Bowl rematch.

“I just don’t think it’s normal for what you’ve seen from us because there’s not a lot of passing touchdowns,” Mahomes said after going back-to-back games without a TD pass for just the second time in his career.

“There’s been a lot of turnovers, especially by me. I think it’s just showing the versatility of our team. It’s not just about me, it’s not just about the stats and the light show and stuff like that. It’s about playing team football and I believe if we continue to work, we’ll get better offensively throwing the ball down the field. But until then, it’s nice to know that we have a great running game, we’ve got a great defense and we’re able to execute whenever the time comes to win football games.”

The Chiefs (6-0) ran for a season-high 184 yards and got four TDs on the ground for the first time since the 2018 playoffs against Indianapolis. The defense did the rest with three interceptions against Brock Purdy and the 49ers (3-4) on a day when Mahomes had his second fewest yards passing ever (154) in a game he didn't leave injured.

Mahomes made his best plays without throwing the ball. He had a 33-yard scramble where he juked Dee Winters by stopping near the sideline and then continuing for more yards. That set up a 1-yard scramble on fourth-and-goal when he lowered his shoulder to knock over hard-hitting rookie safety Malik Mustapha at the goal line.

“He's just a playmaker,” said Kareem Hunt, who ran for two scores. “Whenever the ball is in his hands, he can make plays with his arm or legs.”

The stakes and the quality of play weren't at the same level as eight months ago when Mahomes and the Chiefs beat the 49ers 25-22 in overtime for their third Super Bowl title in five seasons.

But the result was the same with Kansas City winning its fifth straight over San Francisco, including two Super Bowls.

The game came with a potentially heavy price for San Francisco. Star receiver Brandon Aiyuk was carted off after getting hit on his right knee while making a catch late in the first half. Coach Kyle Shanahan said the team fears that Aiyuk tore his ACL.

Aiyuk's absence proved crucial late in the third quarter when the 49ers were driving with a chance to erase a 14-12 deficit.

Purdy threw an off-target pass to backup receiver Ronnie Bell, leading to an interception by rookie Chris Roland-Wallace. The Chiefs then turned that into a touchdown thanks to Mahomes' two runs.

Mahomes finished 16 for 27 for 154 yards and has eight interceptions and six passing touchdowns this season. But that has been enough for Kansas City to become the 10th defending Super Bowl champion to start the following season with six straight wins.

“We got plenty of room to improve on things,” coach Andy Reid said. “Eventually guys will start coming back. But the thing I appreciate the most are guys stepping up and then the other guys trusting them to step up and believing in them.”

Purdy wasn't much better as the defenses had the better of this game. He went 17 for 31 for 212 yards with two TD runs and three interceptions. His third pick came in the end zone midway through the fourth quarter with San Francisco trying to mount a comeback.

“We didn’t do anything really good on offense,” Shanahan said. “I know he’d love to have all three of those picks back. Brock’s been playing unbelievable this year. He’s done some good things on offense this year but today wasn’t that day.”

Niners rookie receiver Ricky Pearsall made his debut exactly 50 days after being shot in the chest during a robbery attempt in San Francisco. Pearsall was activated from the non-football injury list and came in for his first play on San Francisco’s opening drive. He caught his first career pass late in the second quarter and finished with three catches.

“It meant everything considering all the adversity I went through this past month,” Pearsall said. “It was really good to go out there with my guys again.”

His presence was needed since San Francisco played the second half without its top three receivers. Jauan Jennings missed the game with a hip injury, Deebo Samuel played only four plays because of an illness, and Aiyuk got hurt late in the first half.

Niners All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams got ejected late in the fourth quarter after punching safety Bryan Cook in the helmet.

Chiefs: CB Jaylen Watson (ankle) left in the second half with an injury that Reid said could be long term. ... WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring) left in the first half.

Chiefs: Visit Las Vegas next Sunday.

49ers: Host Dallas next Sunday night.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) remains on the field after being hit during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) is hit by Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie, left, and safety Chamarri Conner during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle, bottom, catches a pass against Kansas City Chiefs safety Justin Reid during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) runs against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Chris Conley (18) cannot catch a pass while being defended by Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) passes against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) runs against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

Kansas City Chiefs safety Jaden Hicks (21) celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) celebrates after a touchdown by Mecole Hardman during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — The Los Angeles Rams' defense hasn't been good in its first season after Aaron Donald's retirement. Forcing turnovers has been a particular area of struggle.

A chance to play against the Raiders' subpar offense run by its backup quarterback was the perfect antidote.

Kam Curl returned a fumble 33 yards for a touchdown and Kyren Williams rushed for 76 yards and two scores in the Rams ' 20-15 victory over Las Vegas on Sunday.

Cobie Durant had an interception and later caused the fumble returned for a TD by Curl for the Rams (2-4), who forced Gardner Minshew to commit four turnovers — the same number harvested by Los Angeles in its first five games of the season combined.

“The emphasis on attacking the ball was at an all-time high today,” Durant said. “All week we emphasized it, and it displayed today. What a great day it is to attack the ball!”

The Raiders' backup QB was forced into action by an early hand injury for Aidan O'Connell, and the Rams pounced. Jaylen McCollough had two more interceptions for Los Angeles, including the game-clinching pick with 1:18 to play.

“I was just in the right place at the right time,” said McCollough, an undrafted rookie who played five seasons at Tennessee. “We're growing together as a defense. There's a lot more chemistry, a lot more accountability. We trust each other, and it's starting to fall into place.”

Matthew Stafford passed for 154 yards — his lowest total in four seasons with Los Angeles — as the Rams (2-4) snapped a two-game skid during their worst start to a season in coach Sean McVay's eight years in charge.

Minshew passed for 154 yards for the Raiders (2-5) after replacing O'Connell, who didn't return after a hand-to-hand collision with Curl during the Raiders' second offensive series.

O'Connell said his thumb “went numb, and it’s hurting.” The Raiders will know more after additional tests in Las Vegas.

In their first game since trading Davante Adams to the Jets, the Raiders were forced to settle for five field goals by Daniel Carlson after repeatedly giving the ball away or struggling in the red zone.

The Raiders fell behind 20-6 midway through the third quarter, but had two late drives with a chance to save their game.

After settling for a short field goal with 2:46 left after reaching the Los Angeles 4, Las Vegas got the ball back with 1:39 left — but McCollough picked off Minshew's final heave at the Vegas 34.

“We’ve got to be smart with the ball,” Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said. “At the end, you’re trying to (take) a shot. I get that one. The other ones, got to do a better job.”

Minshew was the Raiders' starter to begin the season before losing the job to O'Connell this month, but the journeyman QB only excelled at getting the ball to star rookie tight end Brock Bowers, who had 10 catches for 93 yards.

“To have a game where we lose by five points and have four turnovers, like, that’s critical, and it’s unfair to the rest of the team,” Minshew said. "So I’m going to go back, look at the film. Not gonna sulk, not gonna pout, but whatever we gotta do to fix ’em, I’m gonna do.”

Williams rushed 13 yards for a score in the second quarter, recording a rushing touchdown in his ninth consecutive game. The third-year pro has an NFL-best 24 touchdowns from scrimmage since the start of last season despite playing in only 18 of a possible 23 games.

Durant then forced a fumble while blitzing Minshew. Curl scooped it up and ran untouched for his first TD since a 76-yard interception return as a rookie with Washington in 2020.

“My first position was running back, so I'm kind of used to it (when) I get the ball in my hand,” Curl said with a grin.

Los Angeles' defense got its third takeaway when McCollough snared a pass deflected by the Raiders' DJ Turner, and Williams made his second TD run.

Nate Hobbs intercepted a deflected pass and returned it to the Rams 14 late in the third quarter, but Vegas couldn't cash in.

Rams rookie Joshua Karty missed a 35-yard field goal attempt with 10:11 to play and the Raiders drove to the Los Angeles 4 before rookie DJ Glaze false-started on fourth and goal, compelling the Raiders to kick again.

The Rams improved to 3-0 against the Raiders since they returned to the Los Angeles market, which these two franchises shared for 13 years from 1982-94. The Raiders have lost six straight at SoFi Stadium to the Rams and Chargers.

Raiders: TE Harrison Bryant went to the locker room in the third quarter with an elbow injury.

Rams: WR Cooper Kupp missed his fourth consecutive game after participating in practice all week. McVay said afterward that he expects the Super Bowl 56 MVP to play Thursday night.

Raiders: Host Kansas City on Sunday.

Rams: Host Minnesota on Thursday night.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL

Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Adam Butler (69), safeties Thomas Harper (34) and Tre'von Moehrig (7) tackle Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams (23) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams (23) runs for a touchdown as Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao, bottom, attempts to tackle during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) attempts to throw a pass as Los Angeles Rams safety Kamren Curl (3) jumps to defend during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Los Angeles Rams safety Kamren Curl (3) celebrates scoring a defensive touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Los Angeles Rams linebacker Byron Young (0) pressures Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew (15) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Los Angeles Rams cornerback Cobie Durant (14) forces a fumble against Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew (15) as Rams safety Kamren Curl (3) jumps to defend during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)