Niner Noise
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NFL power rankings: Close isn’t enough for 49ers entering Week 5

By Peter Panacy

CARSON, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: D.J. Reed #32 of the San Francisco 49ers fumbles the ball during a kick return as he is tackled by Michael Davis #43 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the fourth quarter of the game at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: D.J. Reed #32 of the San Francisco 49ers fumbles the ball during a kick return as he is tackled by Michael Davis #43 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the fourth quarter of the game at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 1: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after his second-quarter rushing touchdown, the first of his NFL career, against the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on October 1, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 1: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after his second-quarter rushing touchdown, the first of his NFL career, against the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on October 1, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

. W, 27-23 @ Broncos. Previous: . Kansas City Chiefs. 2. team. 124

Patrick Mahomes actually threw a pass left-handed. Seriously, it happened. And it was on a big play in the fourth quarter on Monday Night Football.

He’s right-handed, in case you never watched him play, which is hard to believe.

Anyway, Mahomes saved the best for late in Denver after a sluggish start to his first prime-time contest. After trailing by 10 in the fourth quarter, Mahomes led two impressive scoring drives against a Broncos defense that had largely frustrated Mahomes for the previous three quarters.

Mahomes wasn’t aided by wide receiver Sammy Watkins coming out due to injury. But that didn’t stop Mahomes from distributing the ball around to his other pass catchers to the tune of 304 yards and a touchdown.

Meanwhile, running back Kareem Hunt quietly put together 121 yards on the ground, picking up the slack left off by Watkins’ absence and also scoring the game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

Kansas City’s defense is still lousy and missed a ton of tackles, particularly against the run. But Mahomes? Wow. He picks that entire team up, for sure.