LAS VEGAS — A huge investment in the 49ers’ defensive line fell through at the biggest moment.
Borrowing the script the Buccaneers used to beat Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl earlier in his career, the 49ers have the two-time MVP give up the pocket and avoid an intentional grounder penalty in the third quarter. He often had to find a receiver nearby to throw to. .
Mahomes calmly led the Chiefs to a tying field goal in the final minute of regulation and scored the game-winning touchdown in overtime to snatch a 25-22 victory over the 49ers at Allegiant Stadium.
According to Spotrac, no team invests more in their defensive line than the 49ers, who spent a league-high $61.1 million on the defensive line this season.
It looked like that for most of the game. The incident occurred during overtime.
After stopping the third-and-one, no one went for Mahomes’ read-option keeper for a first down, but Nick Bosa pointed to his teammates and asked who would fill the vacated space. Ta.
When Mahomes hit Laci Rice for a first down on third-and-6, there was no pressure in the pocket. On a 3-and-1, Mahomes once again used his legs to break through the defensive line and run up the middle to set up the winning touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman.
One more play would have made these performances even more impressive.
Arik Armstead, the longest-tenured 49er since 2015, was sacked.
So did Javon Hargrave, a $90 million free agent addition last offseason who also recovered a fumble in the first half.
The same goes for former No. 2 overall pick in the NFL draft, Chase Young, who was acquired on a half-season rental in October after general manager John Lynch gave up a draft pick.
And, of course, Bosa, their biggest game-breaker, made his presence felt with two tackles and two QB hits.
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A year ago, the Eagles’ vaunted defensive line didn’t sack Mahomes, allowing the quarterback to make a big comeback in the fourth quarter.
However, Mahomes infamously scrambled more than 500 yards behind the line of scrimmage during the Chiefs’ 31-9 loss to the Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV on February 7, 2021.
The game plan put together by 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilkes meant no blitzing in the first half, allowing the 49ers to destroy the pocket with just their front four.
This allows the short-handed 49ers (three starting defensive backs are out late in regulation) to cover on the back end beyond normal time, forcing Mahomes to play safety Ziair Brown in the third quarter. He was forced to throw an interception.
But Mahomes had the last laugh.
