San Francisco 49ers vs. Kansas City Chiefs: 2018 Week 3 Recap

Game story

In Week 3 of the 2018 NFL season on 2018-09-23, the Kansas City Chiefs took care of business against the San Francisco 49ers, pulling away with a 38–27 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 31 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

P. Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs) paced the passing game, with +27.62 total EPA, and +0.5% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, P. Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +27.62 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+6.3% win probability) landed in the second quarter when San Francisco 49ers changed the game: (12:01) 10-J.Garoppolo pass deep right to 44-K.Juszczyk for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 P. Mahomes · Kansas City Chiefs · Passing · +27.62 total EPA · 48 snaps · +0.58 EPA/play
2. 2 J. Garoppolo · San Francisco 49ers · Passing · +11.23 total EPA · 39 snaps · +0.29 EPA/play
3. 3 T. Kelce · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +9.30 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.93 EPA/play
4. 4 G. Kittle · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +5.79 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.72 EPA/play
5. 5 M. Breida · San Francisco 49ers · Rushing · +4.02 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.40 EPA/play
6. 6 C. Conley · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +3.74 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.25 EPA/play
7. 7 K. Juszczyk · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +3.29 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.82 EPA/play
8. 8 S. Watkins · Kansas City Chiefs · Receiving · +3.16 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.40 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Kansas City Chiefs — K. Hunt (Q1 53:27)
• Kansas City Chiefs — K. Hunt (Q1 47:23)
• San Francisco 49ers — K. Juszczyk (J. Garoppolo pass) (Q2 42:01)
• Kansas City Chiefs — C. Conley (P. Mahomes pass) (Q2 39:04)
• Kansas City Chiefs — D. Harris (P. Mahomes pass) (Q2 33:42)
• Kansas City Chiefs — S. Watkins (P. Mahomes pass) (Q2 30:41)
• San Francisco 49ers — M. Goodwin (J. Garoppolo pass) (Q3 24:04)
• San Francisco 49ers — A. Morris (Q3 17:48)

Field goals

• San Francisco 49ers — R. Gould (Q2 30:04)
• Kansas City Chiefs — H. Butker (Q4 13:51)
• San Francisco 49ers — R. Gould (Q4 5:21)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Kansas City Chiefs won the period 14–0. Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the SF 1 (Q1 53:27) — (8:27) (Shotgun) 27-K.Hunt up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the SF 15 (Q1 53:24) — 7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the SF 1 (Q1 47:23) — (2:23) (Shotgun) 27-K.Hunt up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the SF 15 (Q1 47:20) — 7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt..

The second quarter: Kansas City Chiefs won the period 21–10. San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the KC 35 (Q2 42:01) — (12:01) 10-J.Garoppolo pass deep right to 44-K.Juszczyk for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the KC 15 (Q2 41:52) — 9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-5-B.Pinion.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the SF 4 (Q2 39:04) — (9:04) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short right to 17-C.Conley for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the SF 15 (Q2 38:54) — 7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the SF 13 (Q2 33:42) — (3:42) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short middle to 84-D.Harris for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the SF 15 (Q2 33:37) — 7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.; Kansas City Chiefs found the end zone from the SF 12 (Q2 30:41) — (:41) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short left to 14-S.Watkins for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Kansas City Chiefs added 1 points from the SF 15 (Q2 30:34) — 7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.; San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the KC 21 (Q2 30:04) — (:04) 9-R.Gould 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-5-B.Pinion..

The third quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 14–0. San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the KC 11 (Q3 24:04) — (9:04) (Shotgun) 10-J.Garoppolo pass short right to 11-M.Goodwin for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the KC 3 (Q3 17:48) — (2:48) (No Huddle) 46-A.Morris up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers registered a safety from the KC 2 (Q3 17:43) — (Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 10-J.Garoppolo pass to 85-G.Kittle is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Kansas City Chiefs connected on a field goal from the SF 19 (Q4 13:51) — (13:51) 7-H.Butker 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.; San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the KC 17 (Q4 5:21) — (5:21) 9-R.Gould 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-5-B.Pinion..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• San Francisco 49ers (Q2 42:01) — (12:01) 10-J.Garoppolo pass deep right to 44-K.Juszczyk for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +6.3% · EPA +3.39]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q1 47:29) — (2:29) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass incomplete deep left to 17-C.Conley [54-C.Marsh]. KC-17-C.Conley was injured during the play. PENALTY on SF-24-K.Williams, Defensive Pass Interference, 31 yards, enf [WPA +6.1% · EPA +4.25]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q1 56:58) — (11:58) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short left to 14-S.Watkins to SF 37 for 9 yards (27-A.Colbert). [WPA +5.5% · EPA +0.66]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q1 51:37) — (6:37) (Shotgun) 10-J.Garoppolo sacked at KC 44 for -7 yards (55-D.Ford). [WPA -4.4% · EPA -2.08]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q2 41:12) — (11:12) 15-P.Mahomes pass deep middle to 10-T.Hill to SF 8 for 42 yards (27-A.Colbert). [WPA +4.3% · EPA +2.74]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Kansas City Chiefs (Q1 47:29) — (2:29) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass incomplete deep left to 17-C.Conley [54-C.Marsh]. KC-17-C.Conley was injured during the play. PENALTY on SF-24-K.Williams, Defensive Pass Interference, 31 yards, enf [WPA +6.1% · EPA +4.25]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q2 42:01) — (12:01) 10-J.Garoppolo pass deep right to 44-K.Juszczyk for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +6.3% · EPA +3.39]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q2 41:12) — (11:12) 15-P.Mahomes pass deep middle to 10-T.Hill to SF 8 for 42 yards (27-A.Colbert). [WPA +4.3% · EPA +2.74]
• Kansas City Chiefs (Q2 39:04) — (9:04) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short right to 17-C.Conley for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +3.3% · EPA +2.59]

Quarterback report card

P.Mahomes led all passers in efficiency for Kansas City Chiefs, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• P.Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs) · 48 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · +0.5% CPOE · +0.58 EPA/play · +27.62 total EPA
• J.Garoppolo (San Francisco 49ers) · 39 dropbacks · 51.3% completion · -0.8% CPOE · +0.29 EPA/play · +11.23 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Kansas City Chiefs held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.29 vs +0.17), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Kansas City Chiefs: 9 drives, +26.47 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• San Francisco 49ers: 9 drives, +14.25 total EPA, 5 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Kansas City Chiefs leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• P. Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q1 53:27 · SF 1 · Score 0-6
   (8:27) (Shotgun) 27-K.Hunt up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q1 53:24 · SF 15 · Score 0-7
   7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
3. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q1 47:23 · SF 1 · Score 0-13
   (2:23) (Shotgun) 27-K.Hunt up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q1 47:20 · SF 15 · Score 0-14
   7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
5. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q2 42:01 · KC 35 · Score 6-14
   (12:01) 10-J.Garoppolo pass deep right to 44-K.Juszczyk for 35 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q2 41:52 · KC 15 · Score 7-14
   9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-5-B.Pinion.
7. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q2 39:04 · SF 4 · Score 7-20
   (9:04) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short right to 17-C.Conley for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q2 38:54 · SF 15 · Score 7-21
   7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
9. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q2 33:42 · SF 13 · Score 7-27
   (3:42) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short middle to 84-D.Harris for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q2 33:37 · SF 15 · Score 7-28
    7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
11. Kansas City Chiefs TD (+6) — Q2 30:41 · SF 12 · Score 7-34
    (:41) (Shotgun) 15-P.Mahomes pass short left to 14-S.Watkins for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Kansas City Chiefs XP (+1) — Q2 30:34 · SF 15 · Score 7-35
    7-H.Butker extra point is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
13. San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q2 30:04 · KC 21 · Score 10-35
    (:04) 9-R.Gould 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-5-B.Pinion.
14. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q3 24:04 · KC 11 · Score 16-35
    (9:04) (Shotgun) 10-J.Garoppolo pass short right to 11-M.Goodwin for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q3 17:48 · KC 3 · Score 22-35
    (2:48) (No Huddle) 46-A.Morris up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
16. San Francisco 49ers Safety (+2) — Q3 17:43 · KC 2 · Score 24-35
    (Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 10-J.Garoppolo pass to 85-G.Kittle is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
17. Kansas City Chiefs FG (+3) — Q4 13:51 · SF 19 · Score 24-38
    (13:51) 7-H.Butker 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-41-J.Winchester, Holder-2-D.Colquitt.
18. San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q4 5:21 · KC 17 · Score 27-38
    (5:21) 9-R.Gould 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-K.Nelson, Holder-5-B.Pinion.