Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers have failed to protect double-digit fourth quarter leads on some of the game’s biggest stages.
Take a closer look at the 2019 49ers and 2021 49ers, which truthfully didn’t have all that much in common heading into Sunday’s NFC Championship Game at SoFi Stadium.
A 2019 team that thrived in the fast lane on the open road and a 2021 team hardened by an early spinout still arrived at similar destinations. The former took a 10-point lead into the fourth quarter of a Super Bowl. The latter carried a 10-point advantage into the fourth quarter of a NFC title game.In the Super Bowl against Kansas City, a stagnant offense and a leaky pass defense contributed to a total meltdown.
Shanahan’s decision to punt in lieu of sending his offense onto the field on 4th down and 2 from the Rams’ 45-yard line with a 17-14 lead might be as costly as any individual miscue made by his players. His best player, Deebo Samuel, didn’t touch the ball in the game’s final 10 minutes. Since that second half collapse, there have been longstanding concerns about Shanahan’s ability to coach with a lead.As the 49ers fly home from Southern California, Shanahan must confront the same internal dialogue that has now arisen far too often: Was I too complacent? Was I too conservative? Did I cost my team a chance at a championship?
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