Unbelievably, the head coach of the 49ers was suspected of the awful deal, and…
Some 49ers players were unaware that the overtime regulations had changed two years prior, so his team was unprepared on Sunday. He started overtime, which was a grave strategic error. He has now lost three Super Bowls while trailing by 10 points.
Kyle Shanahan’s reputation as a bright, creative young coach has faded. Rather, one must question whether he can manage the pressure that comes with pivotal moments in the season’s biggest game.
The 49ers, a team built by astute leadership that started the season as the most talented in the NFL, now have to face and reflect on the embarrassments they inflicted by forgetting how they got to the Super Bowl. by not completing every box.
Whether Shanahan deserves this embarrassment or not is debatable; he is currently referred to as “the biggest choke artist of all time” by some. If nothing else, he needs to “explain” himself.
The All-Pro defensive lineman for Kansas City, Chris Jones, said that the team was practicing adapting to the new overtime regulations that will take effect in 2022 during training camp. Conversely, though…
During a TV timeout in the fourth quarter, 49ers defensive lineman Arik Armstead was informed of the new regulations. “I guess that’s not the case anymore,” said fullback Kyle Juszczyk, who had assumed that the overtime rules remained the same. I’m not really familiar with the approach.
On Sunday, February 11, 2024, in Las Vegas, during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 58 football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs, head coach Kyle Shanahan of the 49ers looked at notes. (George Walker IV/AP Photo)
There will be much discussion about the 49ers’ choice to start the game early in Super Bowl overtime.
During a watch party at McNear’s in Petaluma on Sunday, February 11, 2024, Rob Lee from Petaluma, left, and Anjali Murthy, accompanied by her brother Arvind Murthy, watched as the 49ers lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl.
“Stunned into silence”: Petaluma supporters respond to the 49ers’ Super Bowl defeat
On Sunday, February 11, 2024, in Las Vegas, head coach of the San Francisco 49ers Kyle Shanahan observes a play made by the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of Super Bowl 58.
“We’re hurting,” the 49ers said. Three Super Bowl heartbreaks for Shanahan
In response to criticism that grew louder over time, instead of a playoff game concluding after the first team scores, both teams in overtime now get possession and an equal chance to score. It’s absurd that it was widely praised as progressive because it makes perfect sense. Yes, but this is the NFL, and its ego finds it hard to admit it isn’t flawless.
For an NFL player who has been trained since training camp to be meticulous, prepared, and ready for any unforeseen scenario, not knowing is like stepping on glass. How come? Whom? Where? When? In the most important match of the season, no player wants to be thinking that way.
What followed was even worse. After winning the coin toss, Shanahan decided to keep the ball for the 49ers. This confused his players, who were all college athletes. In college football, the team that wins the coin toss nearly invariably chooses to play defense in overtime. puts pressure on the offensive of the opposing team. Perhaps a field goal is required.
A touchdown, perhaps, or a gamble. In overtime, the offense with the first possession of the ball has a vague and unclear goal.
When the opposing offense gets the ball, though, it is evident what they want. It is clear that something is needed. There is now a score available. An objective in the field? A touchdown, really? The goal has already been established. All levels of athletes require goals; embrace them and find inspiration in them. That’s why it’s referred to as “the goal line” in football.
It’s a Michael Jordan strategy. It was always Michael’s desire to make the final shot. It’s the mindset of winners.
The 49ers drove to a field goal on Sunday. Alright. The standard was already established. The chiefs were aware of the situation and knew how to act. And quarterback Patrick Mahomes delivered the game-winning touchdown pass to them.
Shanahan gave the finest quarterback of his generation the best opportunity to defeat his team, which made his choice even more mystically foolish. Without being given the chance to reply. For some reason, Shanahan forgot what this Superman does when there’s a game at stake.
In the postseason, Mahomes is 9-2 when trailing by a minimum of seven points. Mahomes has won 14 fourth-quarter comeback games in his career. But the Chiefs were behind 10-3 at halftime on Sunday. Mahomes threw into double coverage and was intercepted. The offense in Kansas City was stale. Mahomes appeared to be a backup quarterback for someone.
Then he flicked the switch on. Mahomes occasionally seems bored and in need of a carrot at the end of a stick. 399 of the Chiefs’ 455 yards of total offense came from him, with 66 of those coming from the ground.
But Shanahan felt at ease enough to put the football and the Super Bowl on the line for this guy? with no opportunity for the 49ers to reply? Shanahan provided the Chiefs with the best chance to win Super Bowl 58—not the 49ers.
It is perplexing for someone who is so intelligent, astute, and experienced and who advocates for readiness. Shanahan’s post-game remarks were clichéd. The 49ers are currently in pain. It hurts so much. The team was with us. didn’t turn out as planned. We tried our hardest. simply failed to meet expectations. Next year, we will be prepared.
Will they, though? In what ways will they improve? The offensive player of the year was a 49er. On defense, they had the brick wall. With more players who could change the course of a game than any other team, the 49ers were thought to possess the greatest talent in the NFL. Moreover, Brock Purdy wasn’t a one-hit sensation.
Everything is in the 49ers’ possession. perhaps with the exception of the coach. Is Shanahan evolving into a more contemporary take on Marv Levy? For the Buffalo Bills in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Levy served as their coach. Jim Kelly was his quarterback. The Bills took home six straight division titles. For a while, Buffalo always seemed to be on the way to the Super Bowl.
Levy played in four Super Bowls, but he never came out on top. Kelly and Levy were both elected to the Hall of Fame. Levy was so well liked that people looked up to him, and he will always be remembered as a superb coach. But Levy was never a Super Bowl victor. He would always wince at that statement because a Super Bowl champion is the ultimate judge of greatness.
