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Defense Dominates As Kansas City Chiefs Cruise Against San Francisco 49ers

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The Chiefs defense showed up on Sunday holding the 49ers to just 10 points.

KANSAS CITY MO - SEPTEMBER 26: Tamba Hali #91 of the Kansas City Chiefs sacks Alex Smith #11 of the San Francisco 49ers at Arrowhead Stadium on September 26 2010 in Kansas City Missouri. The Chiefs won 31-10. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY MO - SEPTEMBER 26: Tamba Hali #91 of the Kansas City Chiefs sacks Alex Smith #11 of the San Francisco 49ers at Arrowhead Stadium on September 26 2010 in Kansas City Missouri. The Chiefs won 31-10. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
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The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers 31-10 on Sunday and it was the defense that came out with a truly dominating effort.

if not for a cheap timeout with two seconds remaining that resulted in a 49ers touchdown pass on the next play, the Chiefs would have held them touchdown-less.

The defense did it a number of ways as well.

In the secondary, it was CB Brandon Flowers who came down with an interception. In the second quarter, the 49ers faced a big third and four on their own 30-yard line. QB Alex Smith looked for WR Michael Crabtree near the sidelines but saw the ball tipped into the air by Flowers.

The ball, flying in the air, landed neatly in Flowers' hands as he fell to the ground.

"Crabtree likes to run the flats and angle it back in for a slant," Flowers said. "I just played what I saw on film. I told myself I need to be more opportunistic and come down with the ball when I can make a play."

The other bright spot is the Chiefs biggest weakness on defense: Rushing the passer.

The result on Sunday?

Five sacks.

LB Andy Studebaker added his first career sack while big NT Ron Edwards came up from the nose tackle position and forced a sack.

The real start of the pass rush, though, was Tamba Hali. He came through with three sacks tying his career high (Denver in 2009). There were several instances where flags were missed on holding calls with him as well. He continually makes a difference in the pass rush so it's nice to finally see the stats back that up.

Overall? The Chiefs defense continued another solid game marking their third consecutive game they've held the opponent at 14 points or under.