Watch: Pacheco fumbles, stalling promising Chiefs' drive

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Isiah Pacheco fumbles, stalling promising Chiefs' drive

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 2/11/24

Isiah Pacheco fumbled in the red zone early in the second quarter, stalling a promising Kansas City Chiefs drive and shifting the momentum against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII.

With 12:09 left in the second quarter, trailing 3-0, 49ers' defensive back Deommodore Lenoir got to Pacheco, poking the football loose at the eight-yard line.

Ball is loose. Deommodore Lenoir knocks the ball out and the @49ers defense forces a turnover!

: #SBLVIII on CBS
: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/dClcEDViWl pic.twitter.com/PeAeIgfScU
— NFL (@NFL) February 12, 2024

The quick turn came right when the Chiefs offense seemed ready to take off after a sluggish first quarter. Pacheco's fumble occurred immediately after quarterback Patrick Mahomes had found wideout Mecole Hardman on a 52-yard hookup to set Kansas City deep in 49ers' territory.

Before the turnover, the Chiefs had managed only one first down in the first quarter, recording 16 total yards (2.3 YPA) over three drives.

The red zone turnover was the second of the first half. The first came uncharacteristically from 49ers' Christian McCaffrey, who fumbled on the Chiefs' 27-yard line on the game's opening drive.

Kansas City's defense ensured Pacheco's fumble didn't result in points for the 49ers, forcing a three-and-out on the ensuing drive.

However, instead of, at worst, tying the game, the Chiefs were left looking at a goose egg on the scoreboard.

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