The 7 Drives That Doomed The 49ers

How did the San Francisco 49ers manage to make so many mistakes in the Big Game? What were the key moments that turned the game? And is there any hope for a rebound? We analyze the All-22 to see what we can learn.
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[@dfp_01]

Awesome breakdown! I love watching these kinds of deep film dives. One thing I would like to mention: these Chiefs led the league in unblocked pressures in the regular season, and yet their total of 9 such pressures in the Super Bowl exceeded their season high by 2 despite missing star edge rusher Charles Omenihu (a former 49er, of course). Part of that is because the game ran an extra quarter, part is because John Feliciano went out of the game with an injury partway through, and part is because, as you mention several times, the 49ers' O-line didn't seem to be on the same page. To me that just shows how integral fundamentals in the trenches are to the outcome of a game. Bad protection hurries the quarterback, and he rushes into suboptimal decisions and sometimes costly errors.

[@georgegarcia2632]

What 9ner fans don't get, you guys were playing Jacks. The old man was playing chess.In the end you got shot right between the eyes.😮

[@alexwong3933]

So heartbreaking to watch this video. It must be painful when you put it together. Thanks

[@fwmazique2022]

Josh, this is the best recap describing what actually happened to cause the 49ers to lose this game. It's apparent that it takes each player and all of the coaches to work together on every play. Plus the HC has to manage the clock and know the rules. Thank you for calling out Kyle S's play calling, lack of clock management and decision making. This video may finally allow fans to put this game into a better perspective as your explanation helps us to recover from the utter disappointment of our favorite team not playing well and not getting the most important win of their season and for the franchise in decades. Jason Kelce said its really hard to come back, even after your team wins the SB. So to comeback they must fix a few things. I know they tried and I really appreciated watching them play this amazing season

[@JonT1137]

Spagnuolo usually runs a pretty static, vanilla defense in the first drive or two to get a read on the offense. This is especially effective because offenses usually run their first fifteen to get a read on the defense, but aren't able to do that against Spagnuolo's defense well.

[@JoshBreakdowns]

If that's the case then missing out on a score within the first 15 plays is indeed very costly.

[@Skirata49]

So glad to see you back in the saddle, Josh. The life of a fan is to commiserate the lows, celebrate the highs, and socialize in between.

[@user-fd1mv8dl9q]

So I guess the story is: The Dolphins played poorly. The Bills played poorly. The Ravens played poorly. The Niners played poorly. And the ragamuffin Chiefs lucked their way to the Lombardi trophy. Through the four best teams in the NFL.

[@artp.9211]

I LOVE your videos and explanations of tactics. Thank you for your effort so much. After 2 weeks I finally can mend my Niners heart a bit and watch the game again. So far I got to say that as a Niner fan we are blessed to have Josh Putnam videos for analytics, David Lombardi for news & Richard Sherman for entertainment

[@JoshBreakdowns]

Thank you 🙏

[@JoshBreakdowns]

Video Demonetized again. Those wishing to use a Super Thanks button can do so here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/emPCq4KtbJl-iacsi=65ttBgoISCanLDb-

[@ShaneHummus]

Thanks for all the great videos this year Josh! It shows a lot that you took so long to make this video, you were probably broken hearted like all of us and needed to take a break. Anyways, the next 2 years are still a massive window for us to win #6 with Purdy on a cheap deal. Hopefully we can get back to the promised land! Cheers, ~Shane

[@ScotteM]

This was a helluva year! We had so much talent. I really like our team. Some of my favorite players all time. Purdy is legit, CMC, Kittle, Jennings (my super bowl mvp), Bosa, Warner, Deebo n BA. Man we got a great squad. I thought our defense played great in the first half. So proud of em. We genuinely looked like the better team until late. The last offensive drive in OT, we went too conservative on 3rd and settled for 3 points. I knew right then. But Josh you make the NFL season more enjoyable and you know Im a huge fan of the your channel. Big TY to you and your family. Like I said, I really like our team, hope we get a lot of then back. What do you think about Wilks firing? Im not sure about it.

[@JoshBreakdowns]

Thank you so much Scott, I really appreciate it. We do indeed have a great squad. The Defense under Wilks wasn't terrible by any means, but it did seem like it wasn't the right fit with the other coaches and players. Having said that, I am a little surprised (and concerned?) that the team hasn't filled the position yet. It sounded like maybe they were close to bringing in a big name, but that negotiations may have fallen through? Then we're hearing that they'll probably just promote from within but we haven't seen any progress on that front either. It makes no difference if they get the right guy of course, but it's all just a bit unsettling especially after the way the season ended. Personally I was hoping they'd bring in Vrabel, but that probably would've been a done deal by now. So the future is uncertain and I'm not sure if I like it either.

[@gerrybaker7155]

Once again, excellent job Josh!

[@choosecarefully408]

Awesome video! First one of yours I've ever seen. As someone older, I'm well aware of how play-calling can make the difference. But it's not sexy & most fans fail to care. McVay hiring someone to be there for those stressful times _is_ what Shanahan needs to do. He freezes when he's stressed. I have *got* to see what else you've got.

[@scvrusher]

thanks for all that you do, josh. until next season 💔

[@audioabdul]

Ill come back and watch this when im ready. I just don't want to watch 49ers right now. Yet I appreciate another great season of breakdowns from Mr.Putnam. Respect!

[@richarddetheridge3905]

Great recap! Thank you for taking the time and giving an honest breakdown of such a close game in the end. It seems like you’ve gone through stages of grief, evidence from your well presented recap! Awesome product!

[@JoshBreakdowns]

Thank you 🙏

[@Zarab923]

This was an entertaining watch as a chiefs fan lol. Most of the breakdowns I saw were more from the chiefs pov and similar to this one are about what they did or didn’t do right so it was interesting to see from the other side.

[@navy4735]

Purdy was amazing....uncanny

[@GeorgeRoumpos]

Thanks for the fascinating season! Man, we came so close, but I hope we come back stronger. Now one question: What do you think about Deebo? I don't think the past 2 seasons are worthy of his contract. JT O'Sullivan has been exposing him in his videos all year: he is good with the ball, but without it he does not run accurate routes, does not put effort, does not block. I think he will be traded to make space for signing BA this off season. What do you think?

[@choosecarefully408]

The guy who led the league in YAC has been exposed? Oh. Good to know. Yeah, Samuel has strengths & weaknesses. So does every other player ever.

[@rickybaker42]

I’ve just started watching! As a chiefs fan it’s interesting to see how other fans view these things. Tbh though, saying that this game came down to 7 key 9ers possessions is kinda like saying this game down to the 9ers possessions. Without knowing how many possessions they actually had, I know that 7 is a lot and doesn’t really put all that much emphasis on any one of them. If it were me, I’d say it came down to their last drive when they could’ve put the game away with a first down and field goal at the end. That would’ve neutralized all their offensive and special teams mistakes

[@richardgonzalez6583]

Kyle called a horrible game but that’s exactly what he does when it’s a big game

[@bradmoberly6164]

I still love this team. It was a great season

[@alphonsolora7635]

Why everybody keeps talking about why the 49ers lost when it was the chiefs that beat them fair and square.If you want to point out mistakes then I guarantee you you can find plenty of mistakes that could have cost the chiefs the super bowl.Anybody can be beat on any given Sunday.Leave the plays on the field.Thats old school wisdom.

[@kismkasm3178]

Your perceptive analysis soothes my mind

[@vudujl83]

have to be honest, for a while really thought you weren’t going to post a video of the SB and given the frustrating results I wouldn’t blame you; the NFL recently announced a big salary cap increase which is obviously good news for the Niners, but after the way this game ended honestly don’t know what they can do to ensure a different result, regardless of who they have on their roster 🤷

[@ryverchoy1370]

KC is their kryptonite 🧪

[@pnojazz]

Great job!

[@JoshBreakdowns]

Thank you 🙏

[@oscarsaucedo9589]

I haven’t watch the game again since the SB, it’s just heart breaking. But I always appreciate your videos. I love KS but I think he is the one that has to make the major change to be able to win a SB

[@BeatsAndMeats]

It took me 4 months to finally watch this video. I'm encouraged by Brock Purdy's game, but man oh man that O-Line... if we keep making deep runs into the playoffs, we're going to keep running into elite D-Lines and expecting Colton McKivitz to hold is is just whimsical fantasy.

[@naretanenui7228]

I think you have to take in to account that yes if 49ers score in any of those drives it also changes how pat would play as well

[@seanfisher8999]

Exactly. Change one thing,it changes everything 😉

[@christopherking4932]

Awesome video.

[@samuelault4723]

As a 9ers fan I think the most unfair thing about all this is that the Chiefs have a HOF DC who doesn’t want to be a HC while we are a HC factory at DC, it’s clear the instability there finally caught up to us. I really do believe that if Saleh or Demeco had their hands on the ‘24 defense KC would’ve had less than 7pts. But no we had Wilkes and they had Spags.

[@nicomagrini7087]

I hope they play the vikings in London this year! I hope that Shanahan is finally humbled and seeks help! And i hope Deebo respects his teammates and fans a little more with better effort Thank you for your videos Josh!

[@squidusn71]

I didn't watch the second half. I was hoping that by the end, I'd see the score with a Niner win😢. I still couldn't finish your breakdown even though I waited to see if I had the guts to finish watching it.

[@rkpvalluru5965]

It boils down to what you do when you need it

[@navy4735]

exactly "Fallacy: their is NO 3RD POSSESSION,........you gotta wonder what goes on in that head of his.....in big games...seriously. lol I mean ?

[@choosecarefully408]

Generally, it's a combination of things coupled with human nature. Look at how Andy Reid is 100% cool even with Kelce right in his face. How rare is that? Now let's look at how whenever they're under any stress Mike McCarthy & Sean McDermott lose their minds, take over *_all_* play-calling & only call The Worst Plays consistently. Why _is_ this? Well, turns out that Shanahan is normal too. When people get stressed they seek comfort *in the familiar.* That's general. You call your oldest friends, eat comfort food (from childhood) watch favorite movies or TV shows. What do people who can't escape the pressure mid-game do? The same thing. The part of our brains that reacts to stress sees only Familiar Things as viable. They're (McCarthy & McDermott's) minds are trying to search for good plays, but they're like dogs on leashes tied to stakes circling only familiar ones: the oldest ones they learned. Simple ones any NFL team can defeat. With Shanahan who was groomed to be a coach, he may have been forced to Do Everything Himself. Reid goes through every scenario he can think of pre-game. Shanahan tries to, gives up then thinks he will adjust when needed. No. "When needed" is during stressful situations. He *also* has to fight against the cord keeping him circling the oldest most familiar plays. He gets caught in between. As someone else pointed out, Deebo is like Kelce, amazing against zone defense, but Aiyuk is their man coverage specialist. When the Chiefs switched, Kyle kept going to Deebo. Deebo doesn't have the speed to beat man coverage. But Shanahan's mind froze, unable to tear away from looking at familiar ideas. The best example of this is actually Zach Wilson. If you ever saw his performance at the combine, compare it to Every Time He Got Stressed during any game his 1st 2 seasons. He literally started running in wide loops then passed on cue. Not to any receiver: but to wherever he threw the ball in those exercises at the combine. It's a Perfect Illustration of how the mind seeks *something **_familiar,_* in times of stress, not things that work.

[@RobbieSongwriter]

Your comments are spot on (natch). Absolute missed opportunities with the run game, and missed offensive blocks were painful to watch. Agree 100% both teams looked a little sloppy, compared to the regular season. "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." Albert Einstein/ Worst for me, was Kelce wide open. For pity sake, he's Patrick's go to guy! Really thought they'd win this. (sigh)

[@MistaDontPlay34]

I seriously couldn't finish watching this. I absolutely hate Kyle. Dude gets in his own way time n time again in the biggest of games and the biggest of moments. He shoulders all the blame for not addressing the O line in 4 straight seasons also. Players are to blame also. Luter being clueless as to where the punt was landing is unacceptable. Burford whiffing his assignment on a 3rd and 4 in OT knocking at KC door is inexcusable. CMC fumbling on that opening drive are what nightmares are made from. But kyles play calling was ridiculous all game. He abandoned everything he's done all season that got them to the Superbowl. Why? Why do u not pound the rock and pound it some more? Eli should've gotten alot more carries and Mason should've gotten some burn too. But what ultimately lost the niners this bowl was their O line hands down. Play after play after play breaking down and failing because those plays never had enough time to develop. Kyle's system is all about execution and timing. Neither were acceptable. Entire second half is not watchable to any real niner fan. Abysmal performance, atrocious coaching, and horrific assignment whiffs. U can't do just one of those things and expect to beat a mahomes team, but to perform poorly in all those aspects spells disaster. Congratulations KC fans. Yall team deserved it and wanted it more. While i still am furious over the loss. Doubtful i get over this one anytime soon

[@rickybaker42]

Ugh. I feel ya. As a chiefs fan it’s been a while since we tasted your kinda misery, but your comment brought it all rushing back. We can never forget… Be well brother and your day will come. Shana ham is the next Reid, he’ll get it figured out

[@MistaDontPlay34]

@@rickybaker42 I used to believe that. But after watching bananahands make the same mistakes over n over again is disheartening

[@forbiddenenigma4777]

the one hold on trent and the 20 holds on kansas city ..but for some reason they never call it on kansas city!!

[@Zarab923]

Cause bro made that the most obvious hold in the world the way he held while turning to the outside where the refs are standing. Dumb

[@meoutthispiece9015]

Greenlaw man ✌️ out

[@ericfranklin4682]

I don't understand why Brock didn't do what got us to the Superbowl and that's run the ball

[@samuelault4723]

Spags actually put a few QB spy’s on Purdy, the Chiefs made an effort to avoid letting him run.

[@RONJAE212003]

If yall think any game would EVER be a blowout with Patrick MAHOMES than yall don’t know Patrick. He literally scores when he needs to so I PROMISE, every time the 49ers would’ve scored than so would have Patrick MAHOMES sorry if yall don’t know this. And that doesn’t mean the Chiefs won’t lose it just mean there won’t EVER be a blowout in a big game for Patrick MAHOMES.

[@samuelault4723]

Is SB55 scrubbed from your memory😂

[@dl3g3nd45]

1st

[@aminadabbello7782]

Bosa was held again. Nfl is joke now. NFL wants its poster child in Mahoms . I love football it's a shame what it has become. Truth does hurt but bosa was held. So Brandon makes a great play and then stops... please it's all rigid

[@sheltonestell-lz5yf]

All I know super Bowl champions KC🏈🏈

[@navy4735]

it wasn't a blow out because of Shannhan. the history proves this. He gets jittery and is a nerve case ......gets super super conservative....and just chokes .....further, when cmc fumbled thats all it took for shamacant too say no more running, way way under prepared, too many mistakes and mental jittery breakdowns a la Shannahan in his pathetic loser mentality play calling.

[@mr-alexknight6578]

CHIEFS KINGDOM BABY!

[@rkpvalluru5965]

You are assuming so many things things don't work out in real life

[@navy4735]

im sick of Shannahan...he really is a total loser in big games....and cannot manage big games for the life of him. he just can;t. the excuses are just mind boggling. its always "I thought, the thinking was, I thought " I mean......too much thinking....the coin toss was the sealer.....he did this last year with the eagles in the nfccg didnt challenge that catch because "the thought was, or I was thinking" a total mental case in big games...simply cannot get the job done. 0-3 in the SB thats loser stuff.

[@avoqado89]

New copypasta just arrived.

[@Kenny49ERS]

I never see wrestling do any videos about past matches. Why would a rigged Super Bowl one 🧐

[@dfp_01]

Because "professional wrestlers" don't actually wrestle, they mostly talk shit and occasionally do an elbow drop or something. It doesn't look like a sport, and it _certainly_ has never resembled real, grapple-and-hold wrestling. NFL players look like they're playing football, and the coaches look like they're coaching it, even if that isn't actually happening.

[@Kenny49ERS]

@@GoldTau-jd2cs not every play is scripted. That’s just impossible. Do me a favor, before you waste my time, why don’t you do a little research on fixed NFL games and start at Super Bowl III, when you catch up, we can talk. It may be hard to accept though. Do you believe in Santa Claus and invisible man in the sky that protects you too?

[@Kenny49ERS]

@@GoldTau-jd2csit could. Soccer players don’t seem to have a problem getting their feet on the ball. But I don’t think that play was scripted.

[@Kenny49ERS]

@@GoldTau-jd2cs hey, well. If you think we live in a simulation, then, I agree.