SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- A few thoughts on the San Francisco 49ers' 22-17 win Sunday over the Kansas City Chiefs:
What it means: The 49ers have won two straight for the first time this season and five plays come to mind: a generous spot on a Colin Kaepernick third-down run that gave the 49ers a first down on a touchdown drive; a risky fake field goal inside the Chiefs' 30-yard line that resulted in a first down; Brandon Lloyd's acrobatic catch down the left sideline for a first down that preceded a field goal; the Chiefs having 12 men on the field while the 49ers lined up for a 52-yard field goal late on foruth-and-2, giving the hosts a fresh set of downs; and Alex Smith throwing a game-sealing interception. Kaepernick was 14-of-26 passing for 201 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions, and Smith was 17-of-31, 175 yards, two TDs, one INT.
Stock watch: Rising -- Brandon Lloyd. Remember him? The fourth-round pick of the 49ers in the 2003 draft who sat out all of last season had three catches for 76 yards, including that acrobatic 29-yarder down the left sideline on third-and-10. He looked reborn, rather than 33 years old. He entered the game with three catches for 33 yards on the season.
What yellow flags? The 49ers entered the day as the most penalized team in the NFL, averaging 11.5 penalties for 96 yards. Against the Chiefs, they were called for just two penalties for 10 yards. A quick fix in discipline, or an officiating crew looking the other way? In any event, it helped the 49ers, especially the non-call on Stevie Johnson's push-off on his 9-yard TD reception that gave the 49ers a 13-10 lead late in the second quarter.
Game ball: Phil Dawson. The 49ers' graybeard placekicker had major issues with the Levi's Stadium playing surface in the preseason but apparently likes what he sees now with the newer sod. Dawson drilled field goals from 31, 55, 52, 27 and 30 yards. It's the first time he has two FGs of at least 50 yards in the same game since 2011, per ESPN Stats & Information research. His career long is a 56 yarder, at Buffalo in 2008 and at Arizona in last year's regular-season finale.
What's next: The 49ers (3-2) hit the road for their only "Monday Night Football" appearance of the season, taking on the St. Louis Rams (1-3). The Rams, who have lost to Minnesota, Dallas and Philadelphia, while defeating Tampa Bay, have won only two of the past 12 meetings with the 49ers, both in St. Louis, in 2010 and 2012.
