Kansas City Chiefs Dominant in Win To Move To 3-0, First Place in the AFC West

So much for the guarantee from San Francisco tight end Vernon Davis that the 49ers would beat the Chiefs in Kansas City on Sunday. The Chiefs ran all over the 49ers at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, moving to 3-0 with a 31-10 victory.

Heading into the game, many questioned whether or not the Chiefs would fare well in stopping the 49ers running back Frank Gore. The Chiefs, led by linebacker Jovan Belcher and his 10 tackles, answered those questions by shutting Gore down all day long, limiting him to just 43 yards on 15 carries.

When the 49ers couldn't move the ball effectively on the ground, they were left trying to move the ball through the air. While quarterback Alex Smith was able to complete 23-of-42 passes for 232 yards with a touchdown and an interception, he was constantly harassed by Chiefs pass-rushers. 

Most of Smith's completions were short ones, with Gore leading San Francisco's pass-catchers with nine catches for 102 yards. Davis, who many thought could have a big game against the Chiefs and their young safeties, caught just three balls for 22 yards. Smith simply didn't have much time to throw the ball, as he was sacked five times, including three times by Chiefs outside linebacker Tamba Hali.

On offense, the Chiefs ran all over a 49ers defensive unit that had previously been stout against the run. Led by the dynamic duo of Thomas Jones (19 rushes for 95 yards, one TD) and Jamaal Charles (12 rushes for 97 yards), the Chiefs totaled 208 yards on the ground.

The Chiefs were also able to get quarterback Matt Cassel and the passing game going after struggling somewhat in their first two games. Perhaps Cassel's

best pass of the day came on a flea-flicker out of the Wildcat formation in the third quarter which broke the game open for the Chiefs.  

After running back Thomas Jones handed the ball to Dexter McCluster who was streaking across the formation, McCluster flipped the ball back to Cassel who hit a wide open Dwayne Bowe in the back of the end zone for a 45 yard touchdown, putting the Chiefs up 17-3.

Then on the team's next possession Cassel and the team's leading receiver, tight end Tony Moeaki, turned in a play bound for NFL highlight reels. With the Chiefs facing third and six from the San Francisco 18 yard line, Cassel threw a high pass towards the post that appeared to be uncatchable. Then Moeaki, the rookie from Iowa with all the talent in the world but also the curse of having been injured during much of his collegiate career, made one of the most amazing one-handed catches in Chiefs' history.

Moeaki's touchdown catch sparked instant memories for Chiefs fans of the great Tony Gonzalez who played tight end for the Chiefs for most of his career, including the last time Kansas City was 3-0 to start the season back in 2003.

With the Chiefs offense and defense turning in near flawless performances at Arrowhead on Sunday, the team will get to rest up during their bye week before taking to the road in games against Indianapolis and Houston. And with the way this team is playing now, I wouldn't guess that anyone on the Colts or Texans will be guaranteeing victory against this up-and-coming Chiefs team anytime soon.