The San Francisco 49ers' promising opening drive turned into fool's gold on a Christian McCaffrey fumble.
BALL OUT, CHIEFS HAVE IT pic.twitter.com/JfYKqv1so6
— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) February 11, 2024
On the Nickelodeon broadcast of the big game, Patrick Star of "SpongeBob SquarePants" shared advice he once gave Squidward following the play.
— Jordan Kendall (@jordankendall54) February 11, 2024
Patrick Star on the Christian McCaffrey fumble:
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) February 11, 2024
"You have to firmly grasp it."@Nickelodeon pic.twitter.com/kGpUwTV8xX
San Francisco reached the Kansas City 29-yard line before the 2023 Associated Press NFL Offensive Play of the Year – who hadn't fumbled since a Week 7 loss to the Minnesota Vikings – drew the ire of an anthropomorphic starfish. A pair of second-year Kansas City defenders combined to force the miscue.
On a first-and-10, McCaffrey gained two yards before linebacker Leo Chenal ripped the ball from his grasp. Edge-rusher George Karlaftis III made the recovery.
Quarterback Brock Purdy was 2-of-2 for 29 yards on the series. McCaffrey gained 30 total yards and fullback Kyle Juszczyk had an 18-yard reception.
None of it mattered because of the fumble. In a game with a finite number of series, squandering a golden scoring opportunity could be fatal, particularly against an offense on the other sideline led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
To its credit, San Francisco's defense has been up to the task through the Chiefs' first two offensive drives, including forcing a three-and-out following the turnover.
The Niners successfully limited the damage of the fumble, but in a game that is expected to be close, there will likely come a time when they wish they had those points they left on the field.
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