The 49ers Super Bowl problem

[outlaw4]

Just saying, I'd rather have a Super Bowl problem than the problems we have right now.

That said, I'll echo what others said in that there's not one singular issue one can point to. But I'll go over a few:

1. KC Defense - A lot better than people gave them credit for. All the talk about Mahomes hides the fact the KC Offense isn't the high powered machine it used to be. This unit carried them all the way to the end.

2. Injuries - Awful way for Greenlaw to leave. Deebo also got banged up although how much an impact that had is unknown. 

3. Special Teams - Muffed punt was a critical mistake that completely changed the game. Less mentioned was the blocked extra point which proved relevant at the end of regulation, as KC only needed a FG instead of a TD. Not to say Mahomes couldn't get that TD at all but one never knows.

4. OT Coin Flip Decision - Did not agree with the decision to receive. If first team scores, the other team effectively gets an extra down because you’re obviously not punting; you do not want Mahomes getting that de facto extra down. And if facing Mahomes, you absolutely do not let him have the ball last in that situation.

[SCO96]

56 minutes ago, frankw said:

The defense is stacked. He has generational talent on both sides of the ball. When they kicked that FG in overtime it was a wrap. Your QB has to get you into the end zone.

Or, maybe the Niners' highly touted defense needs to make a stop when it counts. If your team can't stop a team from getting game tying or game winning drives with the game on the line, can your really argue that its "stacked" or "elite"?

After halftime it seemed like every time the Chiefs needed to score they did. The KC had guys running wide open in the 2nd half. Even Romo commented on how easy those zone coverages were being exploited.

[CPantherKing]

Shanahan was out coached by Reid. That's what the game came down to. The Chiefs were prepared for the situations and Reid called a good game. Shanahan started messing up when it got to OT.

Shanahan is still among the best in the NFL. He lost to Reid a 2nd time.

Wilks studied up and knew the best way to get Mahomes is to bait him out with a cover zero zone & put it on your DL to get to him & let Mahomes make a mistake. It worked for the Bengals & Bucs against Mahomes in the playoffs.

Shannahan called a time out to force Wilks out of that defense with the game on the line & gave Mahommes the underneath to run & pass.

49ers problem is Andy Reid is a better coach with preparation, details & situations. Same issue for McDermott & Harbaugh.

[frankw]

4 minutes ago, SCO96 said:

Or, maybe the Niners' highly touted defense needs to make a stop when it counts. If your team can't stop a team from getting game tying or game winning drives with the game on the line, can your really argue that its "stacked" or "elite"?

After halftime it seemed like every time the Chiefs needed to score they did. The KC had guys running wide open in the 2nd half. Even Romo commented on how easy those zone coverages were being exploited.

Momentum is a real thing. The Niners had all the momentum throughout most of the first half. They peaked early like I noticed.

I would not say the defense didn't make stops though. They played pretty damn stout considering they were up against a 3 time champion.

I honestly don't even fault the defense that much for the final drive against Mahomes. The Niners received the ball first. That field goal was the final nail.

Also as others are noting. Coaching overall for the Chiefs was better down the stretch.

Edited February 12 by frankw

[frankw]

57 minutes ago, CRA said:

CMC can't fumble in scoring position.  OL can't kill drives with penalties.  You can't muff a punt and give Mahomes the ball at the 16.   You can't miss XPs. 

when you build your team like the 49ers have chosen...the burden is on the team. 

KC and SF are build 2 very different ways.  The burden and expectations should be different.  

Brock Purdy did his job given his role on that team.  He is paid a 2 buttons and some old pocket lint in comparison to other folks out there. 

I'll agree with you he's underpaid. Luckily for him he won't have to worry about that too much longer.

[CamWhoaaCam]

54 minutes ago, CRA said:

this is Mr. Irrelevant's first season as a starter in the NFL.    Brock Purdy isn't even supposed to be a good version of himself at this stage of his career. 

The folks around him are the ones the that need to be taking this L on the chin.  

The folks around him are why they were favored to win the SB.

 

The folks around him have already proven they can make the SB without him.

 

Purdy is basically a slightly better version of Jimmy G. Solid QB but not enough to win the big game.

 

This guy was in the MVP conversation I was expecting him to close the deal.

[CamWhoaaCam]

50 minutes ago, SCO96 said:

Purdy is a 2nd year player drafted in the 7th round. He was forced to come in and start in 2022 after Trey Lance (a first round pick) got hurt and never relinquished the job. 2023 was the first time Purdy started a complete 17 game season. Even the great Patrick Mahomes sat the bench during his rookie year. 

I blame this loss largely on KC winning the coaching battle in the 2nd half. If Reid had been coaching that Niners offense with Purdy behind center last night I'm sure he would have dialed up some plays to get Deebo and Kittles more involved. Neither guy had a "major impact" in the SB and it ended up hurting SF in the end.

 

Sorry I don't feel sorry for Purdy playing with that roster. The guy was silver spooned a SB contending roster from day 1.

 

They are not asking him to carry the offense. They are asking him to manage the game not make turnovers and keep the chains moving.

 

Anybody who watched that game knew the 49ers simply had a better team. The moment the 49ers offense stalled you knew it was only a matter of time before Mahomes took over.

 

I can't feel sorry for a QB who had the game wrapped up and he couldn't close the deal. Just a waste of a talented roster.

[CRA]

14 minutes ago, CamWhoaaCam said:

They are not asking him to carry the offense. They are asking him to manage the game not make turnovers and keep the chains moving.

Anybody who watched that game knew the 49ers simply had a better team. The moment the 49ers offense stalled you knew it was only a matter of time before Mahomes took over.

exactly, which is why the folks around Brock lost that game.  Not Brock.  He managed the game like he has all season long.  He did his job.  

Did Purdy turn the ball over? No.  Did the 49ers? Yes. Multiple times.  And both were big turnovers given where they occured.  

you in here bashing Purdy like he can be held to the standard of Mahomes.  

 

[ForJimmy]

25 minutes ago, CPantherKing said:

Shanahan was out coached by Reid. That's what the game came down to. The Chiefs were prepared for the situations and Reid called a good game. Shanahan started messing up when it got to OT.

Shanahan is still among the best in the NFL. He lost to Reid a 2nd time.

Wilks studied up and knew the best way to get Mahomes is to bait him out with a cover zero zone & put it on your DL to get to him & let Mahomes make a mistake. It worked for the Bengals & Bucs against Mahomes in the playoffs.

Shannahan called a time out to force Wilks out of that defense with the game on the line & gave Mahommes the underneath to run & pass.

49ers problem is Andy Reid is a better coach with preparation, details & situations. Same issue for McDermott & Harbaugh.

Yeah Shanahan tried to run his offense through Purdy instead of CMC.  He also should have deferred in OT...  It falls on Shanahan.  

[ForJimmy]

Purdy when throwing quick passes to CMC 7/7 59 yards.  Purdy when throwing to everyone else 16/31 196 and a TD.  He also missed 2 open TDs granted he was pressured quickly on the last one.  Running the offense through him 38 passes to CMC's 22 carries cost the 49ers.  CMC had a fumble, but he also accounted for 160 total yards and a TD he caught from his WR.  Purdy is fine and still very young, but Shanahan should have known better.  

[CRA]

15 minutes ago, ForJimmy said:

Purdy when throwing quick passes to CMC 7/7 59 yards.  Purdy when throwing to everyone else 16/31 196 and a TD.  He also missed 2 open TDs granted he was pressured quickly on the last one.  Running the offense through him 38 passes to CMC's 22 carries cost the 49ers.  CMC had a fumble, but he also accounted for 160 total yards and a TD he caught from his WR.  Purdy is fine and still very young, but Shanahan should have known better.  

yeah, at some point it all comes back to Shanahan IMO.  They went to Kittle/Debo 14 times.....for 5 catches and 37 yards. 

Kittle was arguably the best TE in the game this season.   Him not being able to be factor for SF was big in the grand scheme.  2 yards in the end. 

 

 

[SCO96]

23 minutes ago, frankw said:

Momentum is a real thing. The Niners had all the momentum throughout most of the first half. They peaked early like I noticed.

Then in the 3rd quarter SF gave their best offensive weapon 2 touches. This combined with the muffed punt changed the entire complexion of the game.

 

24 minutes ago, frankw said:

I would not say the defense didn't make stops though. They played pretty damn stout considering they were up against a 3 time champion.

I agree to a point. But, when they had chance to prevent a tie in the 4th quarter they didn't. When they had a chance to prevent a game winning TD or game tying FG in overtime they failed again, despite the fact that the defense had plenty of time to rest due to the brake between regulation and OT...and the fact that the 49er FG drive took over 8 minutes off of the OT play clock.

 

27 minutes ago, frankw said:

I honestly don't even fault the defense that much for the final drive against Mahomes. The Niners received the ball first. That field goal was the final nail.

I don't agree with your reasoning on this one. If the 49ers have an elite defense it isn't unreasonable to expect them to keep a team off of the scoreboard in OT to win the game...or at the minimum hold them to 3 and prolong the game. Nope, they let the Chiefs march right down the field and get a TD. 

 

30 minutes ago, frankw said:

Also as others are noting. Coaching overall for the Chiefs was better down the stretch.

Bingo.

Shanahan did a worse job play calling down the stretch and scheming his big play guys open than Reid.  Deebo had 6 touched last night (passing and receiving combined). George Kittle caught 2 passes for 4 yards. Elijah Mitchell had 2 carries for 8 yards.

 Spagnola did a better job neutralizing his opponent in the 2nd half than Wilkes. The KC defense only gave up 3 scores after halftime (including OT)despite not getting any turnovers (I'm not counting the punt which was a special teams turnover caused by a fluke play). The SF defense gave up 2 TDs and 2 FG's for a total of 4 scores.

The coaching played a huge part in the loss which is why I don't see why someone want to pin the loss largely on Purdy.

[MasterAwesome]

48 minutes ago, ForJimmy said:

He also should have deferred in OT...  It falls on Shanahan.  

Yeah that was crazy to me.  I think one of the commentators said the 49ers chose to receive in order to give their defense a rest because they were gassed on that last drive to end the half; I'm not sure if they were speculating or what.  So I guess I could at least understand the reasoning if that was the case, but man it still seems like you're giving up way too much of a potential advantage by deferring.  All that rest and they still gave up the TD anyways.

[Mr Mojo Risin]

Really surprised no one has been calling out Wilks for playing 5 DBs off the ball on KC's final drive. After they converted the 4th and 1 MVS caught a 3 yard pass, broke a tackle going backwards and ended up losing 3 yards. Instead of playing up in the WRs faces like they were doing all game he had ALL of his DBs 5+ yards back off the ball allowing easy completions for Mahomes and Co. to go right down the field. It doesn't surprise me it fits Wilks's conservative nature and further reinforces why I'm glad we didn't choose him for a HC. I wouldn't be surprised to see him fired for that last drive and the overall struggles the 49ers defense had this season.