The San Francisco 49ers have a very good defense. It looked like the best defense in the NFL as of a couple weeks ago.

The Kansas City Chiefs didn't care.

The Chiefs torched the 49ers in a 44-23 win. When the 49ers tried to make it a game with a touchdown in the fourth quarter, cutting Kansas City's lead to 28-23, Patrick Mahomes quickly directed his team on a touchdown drive that pretty much put the 49ers away. If that touchdown didn't put the game away, a Frank Clark sack in the end zone for a safety on the 49ers' next drive did the job.

The Chiefs are 5-2. The 49ers, who clearly think they're contenders based on their trade this week for Christian McCaffrey, couldn't touch the Chiefs at home. There aren't really many true contenders in the NFL this season, but the team with Mahomes at quarterback is certainly one.

Patrick Mahomes has another big day

Two third-down plays showed the difference between the Chiefs and most of the league.

Third-and-long is a give-up spot for most teams. With Mahomes, it's no big deal.

The 49ers had the Chiefs in a third-and-20 in the third quarter. San Francisco trailed 21-16 at that point and Kansas City was looking at a long field-goal attempt if it couldn't pick up some yardage. The Chiefs picked up all the yardage they needed, getting Jerick McKinnon out to the left for a quick screen pass. McKinnon gained 34 yards. On the next play, Mahomes hit Justin Watson for a touchdown.

The 49ers again had a shot to get the Chiefs off the field on third-and-long. They trailed 28-23. Kansas City was backed up and had a third-and-11. Mahomes hit Marquez Valdes-Scantling deep downfield for a 57-yard gain. Three plays later Mecole Hardman scored his third touchdown of the game.

Mahomes got pulled early with 423 yards and three touchdowns. It's business as usual for one of the top two quarterbacks in the NFL.

Even when the 49ers had the Chiefs in tough situations, it wasn't too tough for Mahomes. That's the difference between having a regular quarterback and a superstar.

Chiefs fell behind early

The 49ers came out strong. They had a 10-0 lead in the first quarter. It was a big start for a team that came in at 3-3 and needed to start picking up wins.

San Francisco slowed down and the defense had no answers. Mahomes' last seven possessions resulted in six touchdowns and a missed field goal. Again, the 49ers were considered one of the best defenses in the NFL just a couple weeks ago.

Kansas City is a force again. The Chiefs are going to win the AFC West and it won't be close. They'll likely have to go through the Buffalo Bills if they want to make it back to the Super Bowl, but that's a worry for another day.

Right now the Chiefs are as good as ever, even with Tyreek Hill in Miami. It helps to have a generational talent at quarterback.