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."

[KC_Connection]

I also probably would have gone for it on 4th down in FG range last night in OT, particularly once we got inside the 10. Not sure if Andy would have done so, but our defense was pretty gassed by that point in the game and the 49ers were moving the ball on us.

[ThaVirus]

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.

I think there are pros and cons, like any situation.

Taking the ball gives you the benefit of having first position if it comes to sudden death. It also gave their defense a much needed breather (they had just finished regulation on defense).

Cons are obviously giving your opponent the added benefit of knowing what’s necessary to win. Knowing that we needed to go for it on 4th down if we were out of field goal range was huge for us.

[Spott]

I just want to thank Buffalo for whining 2 years ago to get the OT ruled changed to allow us to win another Super Bowl. Somehow I don’t think this is what they had in mind.

[ReynardMuldrake]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

I also probably would have gone for it on 4th down in FG range last night in OT, particularly once we got inside the 10. Not sure if Andy would have done so, but our defense was pretty gassed by that point in the game and the 49ers were moving the ball on us.

Lessons learned from the 2019 AFCCG. Always be super aggressive in overtime. Because both defenses will be gassed at that point.

[Ming the Merciless]

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.

Shanahan is full of shit

there is one justification in Shanahans mind..


he thought our D was gassed... so he pressed. he made the D take the field ..

he sacrificed deferring to Gas our D... its that simple

now he's making excuses

[Shields68]

Originally Posted by Ming the Merciless

Shanahan is full of shit

there is one justification in Shanahans mind..


he thought our D was gassed... so he pressed. he made the D take the field ..

he sacrificed deferring to Gas our D... its that simple

now he's making excuses

If tied after each team having one possession, the third possession is huge. But I think the strategy to go secong and plan on going for two if both score TD's is what you have to do. Think both teams were gassed and the offense did have the advantage late game.

[Shields68]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

I also probably would have gone for it on 4th down in FG range last night in OT, particularly once we got inside the 10. Not sure if Andy would have done so, but our defense was pretty gassed by that point in the game and the 49ers were moving the ball on us.

As long as you did not lose ground. The only thing probably stupid penalty would have brought the field goal into play.

[Skyy God]

From the Mike Sando Athletic piece:

“Another coach questioned whether the 49ers even accounted for the rule in making their decision to receive the ball first.

“Kyle not having a dedicated game strategist on staff screwed him,” this coach said.”

[jjjayb]

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.

The only justification is if you score a td first then the other team does too. At that point you get the opportunity to win with any score. I guess you have to have confidence that you're going to score a td.

[notorious]

Looking back, the 9ers defense had just been on the field in regulation.

It's not a bad idea to give them some more rest.

Although I don't agree with taking the ball, I can understand it.

[Gary Cooper]

Originally Posted by jjjayb

The only justification is if you score a td first then the other team does too. At that point you get the opportunity to win with any score. I guess you have to have confidence that you're going to score a td.

Except the Chiefs said they were going for 2 if the 49ers scored a TD and the Chiefs answered with a TD.

Which makes sense. You go for 2 to win the game with Mahomes. Otherwise, you're putting an even more tired defense back on the field.

The scenario Shanahan describes was never going to happen anyway.

That said, it's the first ever NFL game under these new rules. Not much precedent outside of college football for how to strategize.

[Coach]

Honestly, at this point, it doesn't matter if the 49ers knew it or not. The fact is that Kyle Shanahan just cannot win the big one when it really comes down to it.

He was the OC when the Falcons had the lead and lost Super Bowl 51.
He was the HC when the 49ers had the lead and lost Super Bowl 54.
He was the HC when the 49ers had the lead and lost Super Bowl 58.

That's called a "trend".

[notorious]

Originally Posted by Coach

Honestly, at this point, it doesn't matter if the 49ers knew it or not. The fact is that Kyle Shanahan just cannot win the big one when it really comes down to it.

He was the OC when the Falcons had the lead and lost Super Bowl 51.
He was the HC when the 49ers had the lead and lost Super Bowl 54.
He was the HC when the 49ers had the lead and lost Super Bowl 58.

That's called a "trend".

Boom.

[Sygerrik]

Shanahan's rationale makes perfect sense, unless the other team has Mr. Clutch under center.

Oops.

[Ming the Merciless]

Originally Posted by Sygerrik

Shanahan's rationale makes perfect sense, unless the other team has Mr. Clutch under center.

Oops.

don't forget the D! he thought he was gonna get 7 against our "gassed D"

we stopped him.TWICE .

they had to settle for 3

the D came through.