49ers players say they didn't know Super Bowl overtime rules

[4th and Long]

How is this even possible?

https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/49ers-...20Super%20Bowl.

49ers players say they didn't know Super Bowl overtime rules

Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs capitalized on the NFL's postseason overtime rules to once again beat the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl.

While several Chiefs players and coaches said they had a prepared strategy in the event that the Super Bowl went to overtime, multiple 49ers players admitted they were not even aware of the rules.

"I didn't even know about the new playoff overtime rule, so it was a surprise to me," Niners defensive lineman Arik Armstead said. "I didn't even really know what was going on in terms of that."

Sunday night's game was the second of 58 Super Bowls to be tied after regulation. It was the first played under new overtime rules that ensure both teams get a chance to possess the ball before the game ends -- unless the first drive in OT ends with a safety. This differs from the rules governing overtime in the regular season, where the game ends if the first team to possess the ball scores a touchdown.

After winning the overtime coin toss Sunday, the 49ers elected to receive the ball to start the extra period. But their 13-play drive ended with Jake Moody's 27-yard field goal and set the stage for Mahomes, who orchestrated his own 13-play drive punctuated by a game-winning 3-yard touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman that sealed the Chiefs' 25-22 victory.

Niners coach Kyle Shanahan said he and his analytics staff discussed overtime possibilities before the game, but Armstead and fullback Kyle Juszczyk both said that overtime strategy was not discussed with 49ers players leading up to the Super Bowl.

"You know what? I didn't even realize the playoff rules were different in overtime," Juszczyk said. "I assume you just want the ball to score a touchdown and win.

"I guess that's not the case. I don't totally know the strategy there. We hadn't talked about it, no."

[The Franchise]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Yeah, I'm not sure there's a world where Andy takes the FG to tie unless they're facing 4th and 6+ from the 35 (where even converting leaves you a fair distance yet to go).

It's why I say I'm not sure what Shanahan did truly would've mattered. If there was a mistake in OT, it was passing the ball on 3rd down and leaving yourself a longer 4th down play that convinced you to kick it.

Shanahan should've treated that gold zone scenario as 4-down territory, ESPECIALLY after CMC had that nice run on 1st down. That was his coaching failure - not taking the ball.

Once again....Shanahan passed when he should have been running.

[ghak99]

A lot of players are dumb. Like, real dumb.

I'm more surprised with their coach's decision than any player not knowing the rules. He basically handled us 4 down knowledge. That's huge.

[ChiefsCountry]

The 49ers were just like pete

[George Liquor]

Not my problem

[Eleazar]

I thought I saw a clip from Mahomes visiting the postgame desk where he said we may have kicked to start overtime too. Anyone else?

[Rainbarrel]

Whine me up and turn me lose

[ChiTown]

That’s why we’re the Chiefs and they’re the losers. F em

[jd1020]

Originally Posted by smithandrew051

There’s no good justification for taking the ball first.

I almost wonder if Shanahan didn’t know or remember, and then made up that analytic shit to justify it.

Not sure I agree.

I can see the logic behind it. The rules are that both teams have the opportunity to possess the ball 1 time. After that if the score is still tied then it's back to sudden death. The Chiefs defense was gassed. So you take the ball first and go score. Then the Chiefs score. Now you have the ball to go win it with a FG. The problem is, if you take the ball first you need to treat it like TD or bust and they kicked a FG like the 5.

[RunKC]

Originally Posted by The Franchise

Once again....Shanahan passed when he should have been running.

And they had us. It was a damn good playcall. In fact, it was very similar to our playcall that won the game ironically.

They called their own version of corndog and had the perfect matchup. They forced us to put Sneed and McDuffie at the top by bunching Deebo and Aiyuk. They kept killing us by going to Jauan Jennings and Shannahan matched him up on Watson.

They completely forgot to block Chris Jones. I have no idea why but Chris Jones ran free untouched and ruined that play, which is inexcusable. If they simply block him for even a second, that's an easy first down and they get the TD.

via Imgflip

via Imgflip

[Pushead2]

[HemiEd]

Originally Posted by O.city

Eh, I'm not sure taking it first is as big of a deal as some are making it out to be. The computer says there isn't much change either way, and taking it first can end up giving you a 2nd possession.

What?

It is like a new game and is played until someone wins. It could take several possessions, taking it first was not an advantage in that regard. It's not like the regular season where it could end up in a tie.

The only advantage I see in taking it first is putting tremendous pressure on the other team if you score, but the Chiefs have a QB who feeds off pressure.

[jerryaldini]

Jones said Andy's plan was to go for 2 if SF got a TD. Wow!

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by jerryaldini

Jones said Andy's plan was to go for 2 if SF got a TD. Wow!

Well I think we all saw the play he would've run there...

Sure looks like he was saving that play for a 'gotta have it' moment. Because damn that was as easy as stealing. And it seems like just about everyone involved in it knew it was going to work.

[DJJasonp]

the whole time I was thinking: Has Shanahan ever watched a college FB game???
NO ONE ever takes the ball first.

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by mr. tegu

It’s silly to say it’s an obvious decision to defer. For one, you have to factor in your team. Defense was. And do you trust Purdy to get a TD under the pressure if he needs one on their OT possession?

And people are really overplaying the value of the Chiefs knowing what they need to do. This isn’t an end of game scenario. The Chiefs having the fourth down advantage pretty much ends after they get to the opponents 30 yard line unless they need a TD. If the 49ers didn’t score or just get a field goal then the Chiefs aren’t just automatically going for every fourth down in opponents territory.

And in this game specifically, where field goals were more prominent than TDs, a field goal by each team wasn’t that unlikely.

I would lean defer with Mahomes and our team but it’s definitely not a no brainer depending on the game circumstances and team you have.

Deferring is the obvious choice because you want to maximize your own control of the outcome and play with as many downs as possible offensively. Sure, the Chiefs might not use all four downs once they get within FG range, but going 2nd at least gives them the option to do so (which would matter a hell of a lot more on an early Mahomes Chief era team which had some horrible defenses, but matters nonetheless; although it's not like we were stopping Purdy/the 49ers from scoring on either of their last two drives).

It's a pretty easy decision and it is one that Shanahan botched.