Rich Eisen Backs 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan Taking Ball First in Overtime in Super Bowl Loss to Chiefs

Rich Eisen weighs in on the new NFL playoffs Overtime rules and how the 49ers’ strategy might have backfired on Head Coach Kyle Shanahan in the Niners’ loss to the Chiefs.
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[@thehangryone5452]

That one extra point blocked changed the scenarios so much

[@streetzyskater]

Now though if they go up 4 the chiefs drive the field with 4 down mentality to score a TD and it never goes into OT

[@penoyer79]

even if they made the XP - that drive plays out differently and mahomes probably marches rigth down to hit the TD like he did at the end. you have a chance to put them away in the first half and you let it turn into a 1 possession score vs mahomes in the 4th quarter.... you've already lost. it's over.

[@JRcomments]

Muffed punt was the biggest game changer. This was a closest a SB has gone and the last team with the ball won.

[@amagine1]

​@@JRcommentsspecial teams for the Cheifs were arguably the MVPs of the night. They had several huge plays.

[@Frosty_tha_Snowman]

​@@amagine1between Butker, Townsend, and the blocked field goal and recovered punt, I agree - Richie James made me NERVOUS AS HELL though 😂

[@mikewootson2085]

That Dre Greenlaw injury was so messed up man

[@azax3813]

It's freaky

[@serp1732]

It was huge in the outcome of the game. The minute he went went out, Reid and Mahomes started picking on his replacements and making moves. It was huge

[@willdathrill713]

Yeah that was a messed up injury😢

[@user-tt1hx2nm4p]

Excuses, excuses

[@ParkerBG]

Call it a trade. Chiefs lost Omenihu

[@SenorJuan2023]

I knew the Niners were in trouble when they were playing well in the first half and still not scoring points.

[@CodyH88]

Anytime a team can't score points in each quarter it typically becomes a problem when facing a offense like KC. I totally agree that I was thinking the same thing at work, tracking it what I could.

[@dennis10000]

That's why we needed a reliable kicker, which we don't have. Cant make the short ones.@@CodyH88

[@camicawber]

The most dangerous team in any sport is one that is being dominated on the field, but not the scoreboard. The 49ers were in control on both sides of the ball - they needed to go into half up by more than just the one score.

[@juliecrenshaw-on6uj]

I knew niners was going to lose when they kicked the FG in OT...should have gone for it on 4th down i think they would have got it

[@RB01.10]

I knew when they were up 10-0 early that they weren’t going to win

[@BrunoJaws]

The bigger story for me is one of the great DC of all time Steve Spaggs and his timely blitzes the 49ers had no answer for on 3rd down. The Chiefs defense made plays when it mattered the whole night.

[@byronsmith3152]

This. And they only got though with a couple of blitzes but Chris Jones was just a man amongst boys. He single handedly prevented 3 TD pass by Purdy with his instant pressure up the middle. He deserved the MVP because f not for him, Niners score TD's and not FG's.

[@JRcomments]

I agree with this out of all the nonsense the day after. Kittle was reduced to a blocker the whole game and the 49ers O-line did the best but was outmatched. Also the Chiefs secondary was top notch. This was a game where someone eventually had to lose.

[@TopGKev]

Yes and on that play Aiyuk was wide open

[@segura9]

@@JRcommentsthis puzzled me. How come they didn’t use Kittle? No wonder he left seemingly inured for a moment after blocking all game.

[@dennis10000]

Against a substandard line x Trent. And they were down to a third stringer after Feliciano got hurt. Purdy was under fire but played good enough to win.

[@kalitor]

Yeah, the 9ers not running the ball after the half is bizarre.

[@droppin_sik_beets]

Chiefs make you change your game plan.

[@JohnDoe-sl6di]

Ravens and Niners just don’t want to run against the swifties

[@PreludeDee]

@@droppin_sik_beets Chiefs scoring 3 points in the 1st half didn't change the Niners' game plan to open the 2nd half. No excuse not to give a solid dose of CMC in the 3rd.

[@CTKid203]

Yup. Makes zero sense

[@abc_12333]

Not bizarre for Shanahan. SAME decisions in Super Bowl 51 and Super Bowl 54. SMH

[@jeremyfryar3424]

Greenlaw injury, the blocked PAT and muffed kick were way more crucial than the decision making

[@TheAireaidLord]

I mean at what point is this just bad luck? Especially the Greenlaw stuff like what the hell man running onto the field? Had nothing to do with any play or anything.

[@conradtaylor29]

All the 3 in outs during the 3rd were really bad play-calling by Kyle. Kyle got pass-heavy in the 3rd when he should have got the run game going to set up the pass. This feels like a repeat of the first SB against the Chiefs. I would have run the ball down their throats with CMC and went to pass sparingly throughout the second half. Just make sure CMC, Kittle, Aiyuk, and Deebo are on the field. CMC and Deebo are both WR/RB hybrids.

[@dennis10000]

Said the exact same. That dope let the ball hit his foot and Ray Ray tried-might have been better to fall on it.

[@GoKU-xx2vg]

Just makes decisions that more important in order to overcome those things. And the 49ers could still have done it, but in the end the decision making hurt them.

[@kftc1980]

Those are on field errors, physical errors. Those are unavoidable, or bad luck with the injury. The toss is an unforced mental error. Even if you want to “defend” the decision, there is no defense for the players not knowing the situation and the implications of taking the ball first.

[@M_Baker9ersFan]

These decisions will be questioned and debated for years

[@troyhung4307]

When the 49ers didn't convert on 3rd and 4th after the two minute warning, it was over for them

[@903lew]

When Shanahan had a double digit lead in a Super Bowl it was over.

[@JohnDoe-sl6di]

Run the damn ball

[@srpsrp6186]

Just like their first meeting

[@CodyH88]

Let's say they run and it's a 1 or 2 yard gain. Shanahan probably kicks anyway because you 'take the points!!' as so many sceamed after the DET 4th down game. Now if he doesn't go FG and goes for it and misses or has a TO for points, what's the narrative then? Because that sure sounds like a Dan Campbell situation that people whined about for a week. Are they suddenly saying 'why not go for it Kyle!, this is KC you're playing' 😂 that literally is exactly the same reason Dan did so. SF was better than DET and he wanted to put them away. Funny how this turned out, actually.

[@903lew]

@@JohnDoe-sl6di Nono, Running the ball might lead to winning.

[@Meta_Uce]

Mahomes with 1 weapon beat Brock with 5 weapons

[@edscott4729]

Two weapons if you include Pat's feet.

[@JoseRodrigues016]

Kyle Shanahan is Philly version of Andy Reid, top notch HC, great offensive mind but always finds a way to overthink the big games. Hopefully he can figure it out eventually like Reid did, even though having Mahomes makes life way easier.

[@johngarynavida]

Turns out that blocked PAT came back to bite the Niners. Great performance by Mahomes, congratulations to KC.

[@rusty4265]

Oddly enough, the blocked PAT kept SF in it. Mahomes gets a TD if he's down by 4. Then SF loses in regulation. You have to have the ball last against Mahomes. That's it.

[@camicawber]

@@rusty4265 I agree. The Chiefs kicked that tying FG with 6 seconds left. That's two more plays for Mahomes, and I think he probably gets it. There's no way of knowing for sure, but that blocked PAT may have een the difference between the Niners losing 19-17 or 20-17 instead of 25-22.

[@scotttild]

@@rusty4265 I kind of tend to agree, at the end of the day will never know it didn't really factor into things and they might have lost in regulation instead of OT. You just can never know. But the 49ers had som iffy special teams all year. Moody was not really the issue much it was more the blocking on puts, the tackles, the everything else. He did kick two 50+ FG and not a lot of K do that regularly. I think he gets better.

[@terrythegnome2408]

you think he gets it with 6 second? give me a break. Mahomes had not scored a td that wasn't gifted by special teams the entire game. Purdy totally out played him for most of the game.@@camicawber

[@camicawber]

@@terrythegnome2408 Sure. They were awfully close. They could have run the play that they ended up using to win in OT. And with 6 seconds he probably has two shots.

[@timscharf3289]

No, the 49ers shouldn’t have been up “2 or 3” scores, because the KC defense exists. You can point out that McCaffrey hardly ever fumbles, but it’s not like he just dropped it. The ball was forced out. It’s not just that they “didn’t run the ball” the D was stopping the run. Brock Purdy didn’t just “miss a few throws” he was getting pressured all game. The 49ers didn’t play well enough to ever be up by multiple scores (as evidenced by the actual score board) because the KC defense outplayed them.

[@dinoaliprandi4749]

difference is that if the first team score FG or TD than second team playing offense can play on 4 downs

[@rolandocedillo5685]

It's against Mahomes In OT It's 4th down territory Go big or go home

[@jvanek8512]

and they can stop them on 4th down. At the end of the day it's about players making plays. So you're saying if the 49ers kicked it off they would have automatically won?

[@jayyyy0284]

Exactly. The 4th and 1 that mahomes ran on wouldn’t have happened if they had the ball first.

[@adamsmithhomie9490]

and that benefit is so much more than anything Eisen can spin with receiving. Having 4 downs is damn near a cheat code.

[@CodyH88]

OT rules are not great in the regular season. It's worst in postseason because it changes too much from those normal rules. NFL is something else when it comes to making sense with rules. It needs to always be ONE rule all year, period

[@PopsSoda]

The surprise onside to start OT is super interesting. We’ll see it one day.

[@camicawber]

I don't know if we'll see it at the start of OT, but I do think we'll see it when a team takes the opening kick of OT and scores a touchdown.

[@PopsSoda]

@@camicawber some fun game theory to think about for sure

[@jordanhoughton1948]

You just know it's going to be the Lions

[@anonymousone24]

Only reason you would ever take it first is if you know you're going to score a TD and the other team couldn't handle the pressure. Neither of which you can say were true here. The whole tired defense thing is bogus. There was a good break before OT. They had 3 timeouts they could have used to rest up. The timeouts served no other purpose at this point in the game, the clock wasn't an issue in any manner. The tiredness wasn't even why they did it. Shanahan said their analytics team determined this was the best option. It was pre-planned by them. Makes no sense.

[@jvanek8512]

what makes no sense is people acting like had he made the opposite choice that meant an automatic win. Players have to make plays regardless of the coin flip choice. If the coin flip choice is that determinative of the outcome then this is a game of chance and not skill.

[@nickhewes6860]

​@@jvanek8512those people are bad. Shanahan's logic is worse.

[@mrmacross]

Going first also works well if you kick a FG and you can hold your opponent to a FG. Now you can kick a FG to win the game. People say stuff like the other team would never kick a FG, but if your defense can force fourth and long in their territory, some teams would rather try a 50-yard field goal and extend the game than go for a tough 4th down conversion. Bottom line, the idea of knowing what you need to do is getting overblown. You have to execute, bottom line. If SF executes better than KC, they win the OT session. And they literally became one Joey Bosa read away from stopping KC.

[@terrythegnome2408]

to be fair they would have if their starting right guard has played in OT, he got hurt and his backup went in and blew the protection giving up a easy td pitch to Jennings. The chiefs got very lucky with some injuries and bad bounces.

[@AdamLovesHorror]

2:50-3:22 You literally explain how it makes more sense having hindsight by having NOT going first on offense but start by saying many coaches would make Kyles decision…WHAT????? 🤦‍♂️

[@cornbread70s4]

NINERS defense just got pushed down the field and gave up a FG to put the game into OT. Wanna put them back out there first? Hindsight , maybe…but in real time the D was gassed.

[@AdamLovesHorror]

@@cornbread70s4 IF SF kicked off and KC scored first, then SF would know how they need to score 3, TD or a TD&2PT conversion. It’s still a huge advantage to have hindsight and the option/knowledge of whether to go for it on 4th downs or not. I can’t fathom how this isn’t less understandable than players being tired in the last game of the year.

[@tedjordan7567]

THANK YOU

[@tedjordan7567]

@@cornbread70s4that’s not the reason he gave for taking the ball. Said this was predetermined that they wanted the ball first so they could have it third. Problem with that strategy is getting it 3rd is not guaranteed.

[@joshuaj.2108]

​@@tedjordan7567 It's like playing for a Game 7 in basketball/baseball/ hockey instead of focusing in the moment of Game 6.

[@joshramirez7]

You can't back that decision. Nobody should give Mahomes the freedom to improvise on a final drive.

[@grantmarn8984]

Also, a separate analysis using computer simulations of over 1,000 OT games came to the same percentages - 55% to 45%. Shanahan made the right decision...

[@povertyspec9651]

@@grantmarn8984 There's something wrong with their simulation parameters.

[@africanbodyodor]

If you're gonna take the ball first, you gotta take it with the intention of scoring a TD. Which means going for it on 4th downs. Cos you just knew the Chiefs weren't going to settle for a FG. Either way, glad they were ill prepared enough to not know the rules in the first place. Go Chiefs

[@joellahrman4557]

I don't disagree. The decision to kick on 4th and 4 in OT won't get criticized as much as Campbell's decisions to go for it, but there IS a cost when you "always take the points" and "keep the momentum". The conservative path can hurt your chances as much as the aggressive path. Obviously we don't know what would have happened if Campbell had kicked or Shanahan went for it. All we know is that Shanahan will face less scrutiny (for the kick at least).

[@chrismcintyre1836]

Should have run it twice to CMC for four yards. There’s no way he doesn’t get the first down.

[@CodyH88]

That's a very fair and good point.. It's also interesting to see more people mention going for 4th downs and being aggressive. After all, this very team squeaked into the SB after DET had the same strategy and didn't convert. SF turns around and does some of the same 2nd half problems in this game DET did, but are more conservative and a good deal of people are upset.. Very interesting lol

[@kftc1980]

@@CodyH88I think what is going on there is people want targeted aggression, as opposed to indiscriminate we always go for it aggression.

[@CodyH88]

@@kftc1980 that's understandable. If I played I know I would rather have the game in my hands, rather than coaching who doesn't trust me and my teammates. So I perfer that more aggressive style. I get your point, though.

[@meatusshaft300]

When the Niners couldn’t score a TD on that first drive in OT, there really was no logistical way that the Chiefs were gonna lose that game! 😂

[@emoneyizhereson]

Even if they scored a TD, the Chiefs would've ended it on a 2-pt conversion. It was over the moment it went into OT lol

[@ricardorincon2083]

To me it was when they couldn’t get the 1st down after the 2 minute warning. SF could’ve kicked the FG as time expired

[@leonardobraynen1524]

Same, i knew it was basically *GAME OVER!* U cant beat Mahomes and Reid with just a fg. 7pts puts pressure on that kffense to score.

[@jimmygreer2140]

I love how the Jets DNA is so ingrained in Rich that he's a fan of losing strategies. Not to mention how Shannahan wasn't prepared for playoff OT but Reid been coaching them up on playoff OT from Day 1.

[@smooth_concrete]

Taking the ball first is clearly the logically correct option.

[@jimmygreer2140]

@@smooth_concrete Riiiiight. Cause I'm gonna believe some loser coach & some nobody over one of the GOATs and every NCAA coach for like the past 20 years. In no way does it make sense at all. Especially considering WHO you're allowing to go 2nd. Maybe if it had been Jalen Hurts on the other sideline that strat could work. But Mahomes has done more with less.

[@smooth_concrete]

@@jimmygreer2140 Ried's credentials don't matter if he's wrong. That's what we call the "appeal to authority" fallacy. The NFL rules are not the college rules. In college, it doesn't become a sudden death game once both teams have possessed the ball. In the NFL, it does. That's a massive difference, and absolutely changes the strategy. Clearly you don't want to be the one kicking off if the game does enter sudden death. Not to mention, even with the college rules, the "more information" argument for playing defense first has always been overrated. The defense first team has won around 50% of college OT games all time, suggesting it doesn't offer any significant advantage.

[@jimmygreer2140]

@smooth_concrete should change concrete to brain. You keep saying "clearly" when your strat is an embarrassing 0-1. Especially when you puss out and settle for a 3.

[@smooth_concrete]

@@jimmygreer2140 Lol @ at pointing out the win % of a stat with a one-game sample size. And I agree, SF should have went for it rather than kicking the FG.

[@bevinboulder5039]

Butt kicker. Hahahahaha. I see what you did there. Very funny.

[@gonzalovq2488]

3rd qtr was the great Shanahan choke.

[@JohnClarkW]

Is "3rd quarter choke" your pet name for Kyle?

[@dmjdmj]

@@JohnClarkWit is, but the last name isn’t Shanahan.

[@dillchives]

How could he possibly expect Purdy to complete passes

[@anthonychilds8193]

Chiefs fan here. Shanahan called an excellent game. As you mentioned Jones created just enough pressure to rush Purdy's decision making and he overthrew an open Jennings and earlier in the game (twice, I think) strategic blitzes had the same effect of creating enough pressure to induce Purdy to overthrow receivers running free for 6. The offensive play calls were absolutely correct, the blitz calls against those plays won the down(s), I believe due to Purdy's inexperience (or not wanting to take the hit(s). None of this was on Shanahan. Purdy played very well, just misfired on 2 or 3 plays that at least 1 hit would've won them the game in regulation. And credit should be given to the defense there, not necessarily diminishing Purdy's performance. Purdy played better than Tua, Allen and Jackson vs the Chiefs. He'll have another year to get back before SF has to decide whether to pay him. Currently, they definitely should pay him. Remember he took KC's #2 defense to overtime. Respect. And remember Chiefs needed 75 yards to win. And they got 75 yards and won. Both their passing TDs were wide open. They won on a play that they used TWICE in last year's Superbowl. Hargreaves was on Eagles and saw it twice. Next year he's on 49ers and sees it again. That's defense.

[@byronsmith3152]

You really need to go back and watch the plays because Purdy was blown up while trying to throw those passes. It was Jones each and every time. His pressure unblocked up the middle prevented 3 TD passes. And kyle did not call a good game. He choked the game away by not calling more runs in the 3rd quarter. He essentially gassed his defense and allowed Mahomes to get a feel for the game finally. And before you try and give me CMC stats. understand that the Niners have more than him at RB who can effectively run the ball.

[@173jaSon371]

@@byronsmith3152 The run game wasn't really working that well for them at that point. They were going 3 and out left and right. And no, they don't have more than CMC no matter how much you try to overhype Mitchell. Mitchell had under 300 scrimmage yards and 2 scores. This postseason he had 6 carries for 15 yards.

[@baydawg]

Deferring was not even a choice. The SF Defense was completely gassed. Couldn’t throw them back out there immediately. Putting offense out there was the only choice. Came down to Spags calling exactly the right play in the red zone on third down to hammer Purdy immediately, and prevent the touchdown.

[@teamsilva7563]

Well it’s good to know that if you were the head coach of the 49ers you would have made the same bone headed decision and lost the Super Bowl in the same way. It’s unbelievable you are even attempting to defend such a horrible coaching blunder.

[@leonardobraynen1524]

I said the same thing @baydawg. Anyone with football sense woulda done the EXACT same thing man.

[@leonardobraynen1524]

​@@teamsilva7563good analysis, *Armchair Quarterback!*

[@tqlla]

There was a pretty significant break before the start of regulation. They should have kicked it. But all the breaks went the Chiefs way anyways. Greenlaws injury, that punt off someones foot, the missed field goal. Only getting 1 out of 5 fumbles.... etc. Just wasnt their day.

[@teamsilva7563]

@@leonardobraynen1524again, we watched how that played out. So if you agree with it, then you agree with making a decision that loses you the Super Bowl.

[@KingRusss]

Armstead in 49er post game, said he didn’t even know the new OT rules and the coaching staff never brought it up… Which is wild

[@jameshopkins6853]

You can't give the ball to Mahomes with 4 downs to do it.

[@GoKU-xx2vg]

And he needed 4 downs

[@tigera6]

@@GoKU-xx2vg So? 49ers also went for 4th down and score a TD, is that a bad thing?

[@6thwilbury2331]

@@tigera6 He never said it was a bad thing. Rather, the fact that it took four downs further reinforces the difference between three and four in these situations with Mahomes.

[@JokeWRLD]

the latte larrys cup is awesome

[@davidlichtenauer3722]

Knowing if you're able to use your 4th down every time no matter where you are on the field is a huge advantage that you only know you have if you go second. Shannahan's decision happened to not have an impact, but just in general in terms of possessing the ball first or second, I still haven't come across a good enough argument where going first is any advantage. If you defer and go second, you know if/what you need to score to win, PLUS you then have the 4th down to use with punting now out of the question (assuming the first team scored). On top of that, even if you end up having to match a TD and do so, you get an option to go for 2 and win the game if you choose. Edit: but I will say, if 49ers deferred and we assume KC still scored their TD, 49ers would have had the added information of knowing that the field goal wasn’t enough and used the 4th down on a TD attempt.

[@jvanek8512]

So why not go for it on 4th down every play during the entire game? A math guy actually suggested that.

[@davidlichtenauer3722]

@@jvanek8512The whole point is having the most information possible. You don’t go on 4th every time during regulation because there’s a lot of risk to that while the amount of points needed to win is still a mystery. If you defer in post season OT, you get the answer to that mystery and going on 4th can become a requirement rather than a decision. You have more information going second.

[@jvanek8512]

@@davidlichtenauer3722 not agreeing with the math guy, just people keep acting like players don't have to make plays and that things outside of analytics don't happen. I think it's ridiculous for people to say had he kicked the ball away they would have won. If a coin flip is that determative then this is a game of chance and not skill.

[@kftc1980]

@@jvanek8512binary thinking. It is both a game of skill and a game of chance. So much is happening. You control the parts you can, like the decision making with this toss, clock management, being smart about when to go for it, or not, based on the numbers, and everything else that happens within the field beyond that is skill, mostly. Information is power. The team that gets the ball second in OT is armed with more information. That is an advantage.

[@smooth_concrete]

A few points: 1. The "more information" argument, made popular in college overtime, has always been vastly overstated. It's hard to find the exact stat, but the defense first team has only won about 50% of OT games since the first one in 1995. So basically, no advantage, even if conceptually the idea does make some sense. 2. With the NFL rules, whatever advantage having more information (due to playing defense first) may give you is vastly outweighed by the fact that if both teams match each other's scoring on their first possessions, the team that played defense first will now be kicking off in a sudden death situation. Obviously, a very unfavorable spot to be in. 3. The idea that the defense first team should commit to going for two (and therefore, the win) if they need to match a TD is fine, but what if they only need to match a FG? Are they also willing to commit to going for it on 4th down in FG range to avoid tying and entering sudden death? What if it's 4&20? The argument for not taking the ball first simply doesn't hold up.

[@hype498]

Kyle Shanahan is slowly morphing into Marv levy.

[@nin_tendo6458]

He's way worse than Marv Levy, Levy never blew a 28 - 3 lead.

[@billedens4749]

The third quarter was some Shanahan insanity. He did something very similar in Atlanta's loss to New England. He gets in this narrow mindset where he focuses on passing. Those first 3 possessions in the 3rd quarter is what lost them the game.

[@greenhillscustomlawncarell1139]

It’s called an adjustment made By KC

[@RamsesTheGreat21]

Three supers in a row Kyle abandons the run in the second half with a lead. Which leads to his defenses tiring out and not able to put the clamps on late game.

[@joshuaj.2108]

You think he would have learned his lesson after 28-3. But as they say.. the definition of insanity, is doing something over and over again and expecting different results. Shanahan now has the dubious hat trick honors of 3 SB losses, doing the same thing each time

[@Adept_Tommy]

Kelce was held in check but the second greenlaw got hurt everything opened up how come no one is talking about that

[@byronsmith3152]

It wasn't the injury as much as Wilks going to a soft zone coverage. He tends to do that at the end of every half.

[@ckmoore101]

A lot of people are talking about that. Pay attention.

[@TheForbiddenOne55]

​@@byronsmith3152which made no sense. They gave up like one big play in the 1st quarter.

[@richardbosh4522]

Greenlaw injured was messed up and did impact the niners winning he is a big asset. Purdy played scared with no confidence hopefully he learns from this experience of a lifetime.

[@Doeboi131]

It was all part of the script

[@moody4tech635]

They started throwing because the chiefs had started stopping CMC. Of course because of Brocks physical limitations it didnt work. Bottom line is Purdy ain't good enough.

[@josephhuff9195]

Stopping CMC?? The last drive by SF in the 4th they had 3 consecutive runs averaging 5.5yds….then on 2nd an 5 shanahan decides to pass. Two more runs for a first down gives them a last second FG.

[@joshuaj.2108]

​@@josephhuff9195 I am telling you. Shanahan thrice in 3 Superbowls. Of course, Carroll not giving it to Lynch. I think ego, bad play calling, and not sticking to your bread and butter have cost teams super bowls. I like it to an NBA team who has a dominant dominant post Center, like Shaq or Olajuwon. They are feeding them all game. Then go away from it to show they can beat you another way. If the Niners were to still have 3 straight 3 and outs by feeding CMC and go down swinging then sobeit. At least at the end of day you're going to your bread and butter guy for the kill shot.

[@BlakeWR81]

Yes, Rich! I was thinking the same thing with the onside kick, only I thought, what if a team did it after they received and scored? So like, what if SF had kicked an onside and recovered to end the game?

[@redcomet0079]

49ers just got in their own way *once again* Out of the 3 super bowl losses, *this one hurts the most*

[@columbia2635]

I think either choice works, depending on the team/QB. The only thing I'd say here is that they should have known that KC/Mahomes is the kind of players who will go all out to the end and see defeat as impossible. Going first for some teams would be a good bet because you set the goal. Some teams wouldn't be able to handle knowing it was a do or die situation by going second. Or, going first might also just mean playing it safe, taking 3, and hoping the other team at least doesn't do better. I couldn't say for certain that the Chiefs, had they gone first, would have gone for 7. It is what it is and no point second-guessing because no one knows.

[@6thwilbury2331]

You said it best in your first sentence, though: "...depending on the team/QB." Once you factor in that it's KC and Mahomes, specifically, the probabilities shift. The chances of having the ball third, as Shanahan said, becomes considerably less. For those citing a fatigued defense as a reason for taking the ball first, did Shanahan mention resting the defense in the postgame presser? I know he said it later, it just seems if THAT was the reason - and that wouldn't be the worst explanation in the world - we would have heard that on Sunday.

[@pauldavis4287]

Chris brings up a great point w the onside kick. If Niners recover, is the game really over?

[@amagine1]

Can we stop saying that the 49ers missed the extra point and start reconizing that the Chiefs special teams BLOCKED it? Special teams for the Cheifs made two huge plays in this game. The the punt fumble recovery and the HUGE blocking the PAT. Give those guys some love Rich.

[@conrailhbgline]

I had the onside thought as well to start OT.

[@Axecarter91]

If you’re taking the ball first (which I think is stupid) you have to go for it on 4th down in the red zone. Giving Mahomes an extra down when he just needs a field goal is suicidal

[@cheesun124]

4:06 Great idea!

[@nancychilton2366]

Somebody said it already, Shanahan is the Philly version of Andy Reid. Good HC with an Achilles heal. Remember the NFC Championship,game last year with Smitty’s “catch” on 4th down and he failed to challenge or even call a timeout in the first half to see if there really was a catch. Bad decisions. Andy’s Achilles heal was clock management. He learned but it took him a looonnng time.

[@MrSmith4545]

I knew the niners were going to lose when they got that interception and did nothing with it. I knew they were going to do stupid things that would cost them the game; That, the fumble in the red zone, the muffed punt, the missed extra point, bad clock management... No reason why the niners shouldn't have won this game by at least 17 points

[@DMalltheway]

Niners are owned by KC, no matter what they do they’re not good enough

[@trkarst82]

Didn't even mention that 49ers D had just been on the field for a long drive and that they go straight from EOR to OT with no break. That was the main reason I thought 49ers elected to receive first in OT.

[@nicoalexander774]

As a Niners fan, I had no problem taking the ball in OT! We had to get our defensive unit a blow and make sure we got the first score. ❤

[@DarthBinky89]

Bang bang whiner gang😂

[@DarthBinky89]

😂😂😂

[@teamsilva7563]

Great! I hope you enjoyed losing the Super Bowl on such a horrible coaching decision.

[@jayyyy0284]

So many inner fans don’t know the actual sport and this shows it.

[@mramz9016]

Bang bang, putt putt, whiner gang!!!

[@NugenEnigma]

Did no one see how Mahomes just led a drive seemlessly against a gassed niner d at the end of the fourth. Did no one see how Chris jones and that d-line was getting pressure all night, and how that would have forced a lot of passing situations if the 49er offense had to play come from behind if the chiefs got the ball first? Does no one think about this stuff and how it affects playcalling and the game. I feel like I am losing my mind with these so obvious hindsight criticisms.

[@byronsmith3152]

The only hindsight we should be hearing about is the lack of running the ball yet again by Kyle, with the damn lead.

[@ParkerBG]

@@byronsmith3152I mean CMC averaged 3.7 yards per carry, so it’s not like running was gonna be an automatic nail in the coffin against the Chiefs.

[@NugenEnigma]

​@ParkerBG this is very true, chiefs sold out heavy for the run, especially in 3rd and chris jones and the pass rush did their job very well.

[@RJ-qs6nm]

I couldn’t believe when they chose to receive, I thought it was a mistake

[@user-gh3pz7do4o]

Kc starts the 2nd half and they go backwards and SF gets the ball in great field position. You score a TD there and go up 14 or at least run clock and kick a field goal going up 10. Different game.

[@user-uy8zf9rk6f]

The missed extra pt. was the difference in outcome, had it been made, field goal would not have tied game. BOTH teams played well!

[@wandersongustavosilva8210]

Taking the ball first with the new OT rule was kinda dumb , bc the Niners d was more rested than Chiefs d along with that , Niners offense was going to play knowing what they need to do in order to FINISH the job . Shannahan made a huge mistake .

[@wkndbikeshop]

No, you need to rest defensive to deal with goat

[@gerstell]

Defense just got pushed around on an 11 play drive. Could not send them back out.

[@anonymousone24]

They got pushed around because they were playing prevent. Romo (I think it was him) even called it out, saying they were giving them those short plays on purpose. It was a mistake.

[@MrAlxsr]

​Marty Schottenheimer, Marc Levy, Marvin Lewis, Jim Mora, Dan Reeves, Jeff Fisher, Chuck KNOX, Sam Wyche, Kyle Shanahan... Do you keep going with Kyle or do you stop the pain now?

[@jmorris023]

This scenario is similar to betting the "don't pass" in craps. If you can survive the first dice roll, (an analogy for not giving up a TD) you're a favorite to win the bet.

[@MikeHarvey-ol7xr]

I liken not deferring to giving up the button in a hand of poker.

[@mac1992]

The Niners aren't gonna win a Super Bowl as long as they're running into the Chiefs. That's gonna be the case for most teams until Mahomes hangs it up.

[@DMalltheway]

Chiefs own the Niners, if they were in the same division, automatic 2 losses by Niners every season

[@jvanek8512]

if going for two is that easy then why kick the extra point at all.

[@anthonystrait1643]

I think CMC was gassed in the 3rd Quarter and they were giving him so rest for the final quarter. Such a physical game

[@sgtbaker81]

He went for it. Against most teams that plan probably works. He tried it against the Chiefs defense, the Chiefs coaching staff and Patrick. The Chiefs are the Chiefs.

[@EasyTarget82]

For a third time Shanahan ignores the running game and killing off the clock when his team is in the lead. He chokes in the big games. It's like the Spongebob meme, how many times do we have to teach you this lesson old man?!?!

[@Thundergun5]

I thought you were already rich, Rich. Taking the ball in a "prove-it" scenario and coming up with a field goal while giving Mahomes a chance to beat you with 1 drive is a monstrously stupid idea...

[@edscott4729]

He did not say one word of explanation as to why going first in OT was the right move.

[@BootCampSpecimen]

Niners did just fine, just was the luck of the draw at the end. But i’ll tell you this, not one person on planet Earth will want to see any Chiefs success next season besides their own choir… so done with them.

[@BillCeller]

Imagine that, Shanahan not using running plays in the 2nd half of a Super Bowl! Signed - a Falcons fan having flashbacks to 28-3.

[@Briguy1027]

I had no problems with them taking the ball in overtime. There are reasons why you take the ball first.

[@tbd1613]

Shanahan was the OC for ATL, Loss to KC, Loss to Rams, and again Loss to KC. Some coaches have it and other dont.

[@26michaeluk]

You mean OC for the Falcons in that 28-3 debacle where the Patriots came back?

[@PeaceFan1]

THAT was what Cost Them..Kyle not giving the Ball To McCaffrey enough in the 2nd Half!!!!

[@JangaLangaBanga]

I know I suffer from main character syndrome but I feel like I jynxed the niners on the extra point. As they lined up I told my friend "this extra point is incredibly crucial, their win condition relies heavily on moody getting this point." And I could just feel as soon as I said it that it wasn't going through.

[@EL418_]

Experience over expectations.

[@gofigure5091]

Purdy refused to scramble like he did in the Lions game.

[@MirrorAshes]

Has Rich walked this back? It’s insane in hindsight

[@frankslug9972]

The key was Greenlaw’s injury imo. Kelce didn’t do anything until he got injured

[@johnmcho]

It didn't feel like the 9ers lost it. The Chiefs just won it.

[@inttruders]

I totally disagree with that. The Niners missed an extra point and muffed a punt. They had a bunch of pre-snap penalties. The Niners shot themselves in the foot repeatedly.

[@NugenEnigma]

@@inttruders but on the other end the chiefs had a pick, offsides, a bad pitch, a hold in OT, an almost muff punt themselves. Both teams had mistakes but one team wins in the end in OT chiefs did in fact just win it.

[@johnmcho]

@@inttruders Muffed punt was bad luck. It went of the blocker's ankle. The extra point miss is valid, but the kicker previously hit the longest field goal in Superbowl history. Hard to blame it on him.

[@JJ4848]

@@inttruders He did, but so did the Chiefs. Mahomes had an interception, luckily the defense bailed him out, Pacheco had two fumbles one in the red zone. There was another low snap that caused a second and long. Neither team was mistake free

[@byronsmith3152]

@@johnmcho The returner tried to pick it up and run, lol. Had he just fallen on the damn ball, KC does not get their first TD and the lead of the game. But even then, Purdy drove the field to get a TD only to then have the kicker choke.

[@thecommish80]

They didnt miss an extra point. It was blocked!!

[@pedro426]

Also one thing I thought was crazy was how KC didn’t use their timeouts at the end of OT. Had they missed the TD on the last play, they very likely get forced to kick the fg and go to 2OT

[@rustyshackelford3109]

No OT rules are different. If they didn’t score a td they would start the 2nd quarter of ot with it 2 and goal on the other side of the field

[@pedro426]

@@rustyshackelford3109 ohhhh gotcha I wasn’t sure about that

[@Willtellthetruth]

Actually that's not accurate. The reason they didn't worry about the clock was that if the first OT ended they just move down to other end of the field and start a new 15 minute quarter. The OT periods are not self contained.

[@JohnClarkW]

@@Willtellthetruth yep, if that had been the end of the 2nd OT, then there is a half-time and subsequent kickoff.

[@anonymousone24]

@@JohnClarkW No, that would have been the end of the game. Each team is guarantee 1 possession. There's literally like no way it could happen timing wise, but if somehow the Chiefs had possession for like 20 minutes... and the 2nd quarter ended. The was game over.

[@rkr7372]

I don’t see how anyone can justify the call Drunkahan made on the coin toss.

[@scruffd0g193]

The Niners defense wad completely gassed after that last drive and either way KC was gonna go for 2 if needed a Td to tie the game.

[@BenDiaz]

If he wanted to take the ball first because he had a strategy, that’s defensible. If he took the ball first because he didn’t understand the OT rule change, that’s indefensible.

[@A1PrimeTimeMovies]

A whole lotta ifs being said in this segment

[@vijayanand1154]

Listening to Nick wright - 49s just needed to run the ball in two min warning during regulation ? rather than throwing the ball to take the clock down - wasn’t this a massive mistake ?

[@dillchives]

Niners fans are mad that Shanahan expected Purdy to be able to complete passes in the 3rd quarter, and he proved he couldn't make any that mattered. There was zero reason to trust Purdy to be able to make any plays on his own at any point in that game, which affected the strategy the rest of the time.

[@alexanderdumas-]

It’s not just about what you need to know it’s about what you’re giving Patrick Mahomes in that specific game. I’m not giving Mahomes 4 plays to score. If they go first there’s a chance they kick a field goal on a 4th and short instead Mahomes walked them down like we all knew he would. If I have the lesser QB and am one of the worst 3rd down teams in the league I would ensure my guy got 4 and yes “knew what he needed to get,” but in this situation more so to deny Mahomes “knowing what he needs to get”

[@elliotb1795]

Niners waved the white flag and gave up wheb they decided to kick that field goal in OT. You can tip your hat to the Chiefs defense if they stop you at the 9 yard line on that 4th and 4, not before. Everyone in the world except some BFL coaches know that once Mahomes and the Chiefs offense clicks, they will score whatever they need in order to win. It's just like the Patriots back in the day, and teams are playing the Chiefs just like how they would the Patriots from way back when. You're scoring points just to stay in the game, not to actually win, not to actually beat them. Shanahan admitted he was looking at step 3 in his plan before he even thought out the first step. He was playing chess with himself in the end because all that was on the mind of Andy Reid and mahomes was to just get the ball and score a touchdown no matter what. They weren't playing to tie the game and prolong it. Not gonna win getting conservative and taking the ball away from Purdy and CMC when the super bowl is on the line. So what if it's 4th down. That's what makes the legends. Hell never win if he handcuffs his players. Reid doesn't, he let's his boys play, and they win because they're given that opportunity. This "superteam" of the niners isn't so super and looked terrible with the scheme they drew up last night. Certainly wasn't super. Debo who? Kittle who? Aiyuk? Let's not make them a serious part of the plan at all... Shanahan was taught a lesson last night. I don't think it actually registered with him.

[@pixvuhobbyzone2814]

I've said so many times since few years back...SHAMnahan will not put daggers into opponents...SHAM da flat cap coach is just that...we saw this in 2 Div Playoff games...everybody blames Dan Campbell but Campbell plays to WIN

[@p8onl444]

It doesn't matter if he took the ball first or second the Niners didn't score. Its over Kyle get ready to call plays for someone else. Niners 8-9 2024 season

[@garrykimovich]

Of course you take the ball first in OT! If both teams score the same points, then you get the first sudden death possession. It's a no brainer!

[@JamesTuller-hw1cp]

Not a missed PAT ,it was blocked.

[@gorritas1234]

Why does the conversation has to be around wanting the Niners to win,,,,,, and not spend the time telling about the dinasty,,,, why!???

[@5.7HEMIBLACKGHOST]

All of a sudden everyone is an expert and couch now on OT ? 😂😂 the 9ers only focused on field goal range and forgot Mahomes was on the other side😂

[@BNA_Est.1988]

You can’t claim Purdy is the guy but he mad that the game was in his hands.

[@namnis1192]

49er story, all season, was about all their weapons. 49er weapons /offensive line not come thru. The real story is about Chiefs defense.

[@sulumonlives4932]

Shanahan did indeed blow it by not running the ball enough in that 3rd qtr. 😮

[@seeatlanta1408]

What’s so hard to understand about this? Get ball, score ball, stop ball. Don’t matter if the Chiefs had 8 freakin downs to score. You stop them and there’s nothing else to talk about.

[@greenbeagle13]

Listening to a mic'ed up video, the Chiefs loved that the 49ers took the ball too..... 😏

[@ezequielmartinez238]

The game was decided just by details, neither of the coaches really made bad decisions, you can blame Shanahan for starting the 3rd quarter throwing the ball, but that really didn't affect much to the game, the real reason for the Niners lost was the special teams and the OL mistakes, the OL failed a lot in crucial moments blocking against Chris Jones, he was free several times pressuring and hitting Purdy, making him forcing passes without time, and let the defense block the extra point, but the trully turning point of the game was the muff, Shanahan can't control that the ball would hit the foot of one of his players, unfortunately for SF almost every play when they could won a TO the ball was recovered by the Chiefs

[@djc9727]

There is no advantage in taking the ball first in overtime in the SB, not one. Everyone gets the ball once. So the second team has the upper hand, period!!

[@Adam13Chalmers]

Also the niners D was just on the field to end regulation. You have to stop Mahomes whether you go first or second, so a little rest may help.

[@KidRok]

With the new rules there is no advantage in taking the ball first unless he was letting his defense rest but still it doesn't hardly make sense to go first.

[@YNLEXPOSURE]

You are absolutely wrong! This is why college OT is offense second. You have 4 downs virtually every set of downs. Live and learn.

[@steveno7058]

Wrong. NFL rules are different. If its a tie after both teams had the ball then it becomes sudden death. CFB doesn’t have sudden death. So the team that gets the ball has the advantage

[@YNLEXPOSURE]

@@steveno7058 You obviously don't understand the situation. Just because it becomes sudden death doesn't mean letting your opponent go first does not apply. Knowing what you need to score to win is a great benefit for all the reasons stated by most talking heads and athletes.

[@penoyer79]

3 and 4 from the 9 w/ 2 mins to go in OT . you go for it on 4th down and go for the TD gotta call your two best running plays for CMC here.. live and die with the OPOY

[@klove5765]

Hey, this just in Bosa crashed down the line of scrimmage vacating his responsibilities again on the Mahomes keeper