How the Chiefs Picked Apart the 49ers Defense

The 49ers’ pass rush is arguably the best in the league. The immense pressure created by that front-4 can completely disrupt any offense and constrict their passing game. The Chiefs had no such problems on Sunday.

Andy Reid put on an absolute clinic, using everything at his disposal to neutralize San Francisco’s pass rush, and more specifically, Nick Bosa. The result was that the Chiefs were able to hit big play after big play (7 completions of 20+ yards), ultimately finishing the day with 44 points and 417 yards through the air.

Throwing the Kitchen Sink at Bosa

Reid kept the 49ers’ pass rush off balance from the start. He used screens, moving pockets, sprint-outs, chips, and various runs intended to force hesitation in Bosa. Reid wanted to keep him from pinning his ears back and aiming for the same launch point with his pass rush on every play. He wanted to put a little doubt in his mind and make him worry about a possible screen or run to prevent him from getting upfield quickly and attacking the quarterback.

On Kansas City’s first scoring drive, the cat-and-mouse games began. Reid sprinted Mahomes out to the left away from Bosa, giving him the time and space to find his receiver downfield:

Later in the second quarter, Reid sprinted Mahomes out in Bosa’s direction and had running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire cut him:

On the very next play, the Chiefs ran a jet-sweep with wide receiver Mecole Hardman to Bosa’s side. Watch how Bosa was anticipating contact, yet both the right tackle and tight end left him unblocked and got to the next level. By the time Bosa realized it, Hardman was well past him: