circulartext/DailySportsNews · SUPERBOWL Sports Article Example

Kyle Shanahan's 49ers come up shy once again. Once again, Shanahan watched Mahomes eat up a 10-point deficit in the Super Bowl. Credit the coach for not puttering out, going for it on a big fourth-and-3 early in the fourth quarter when a chip-shot field goal would have tied the game. The decision underscored that Shanny knew they needed touchdowns, not field goals, against Mahomes. The coach pulled out the stops, including a big trick play TD pass from receiver Jauan Jennings to Christian McCaffrey in the first half. Alas, an OT FG from inside the 10 opened the door for Mahomes' heroics. The Niners will beat themselves up all offseason for not putting the game away early. San Francisco gashed the Chiefs D in the first quarter, including gains of 18 yards, 11 yards, and 11 yards on the opening possession, but a McCaffrey fumble (just his third loss all season) snuffed out the drive. The Niners led by seven at halftime despite dominating possession early. Shanahan's offense struggled to open the third quarter, going three-and-out on three consecutive possessions. A muffed punt in the third quarter set up the Chiefs' first TD and lead. Instead of a big lead, the Niners were in scramble mode. A blocked PAT also proved massive late. Credit Brock Purdy for making plays in the fourth quarter after a roller-coaster game that saw him miss a few throws and make some other excellent reads. The 49ers' last three possessions went TD, FG and FG. Unfortunately for Shanahan, his D couldn't stall Mahomes, allowing the Chiefs to go TD, FG, FG, TD. The NFL has seen two overtime Super Bowl games, and Shanahan has been on the losing end of both. Brutal.