For the second time in five years, the San Francisco 49ers have squandered yet another opportunity to win a sixth Lombardi, as they fell 25-22 to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII. It has now been 28-consecutive years since the 49ers have hoisted the ultimate prize in football, losing their third trip to the big game since their last win to conclude the 1994 season.
In the rematch of Super Bowl LIV, the Chiefs and 49ers were deadlocked in a defensive battle for most of the game. Just like last year against the Eagles, Kansas City found themselves struggling on offense in the first half. San Francisco slowly trudged out to a 10-0 lead towards the end of the second quarter. The Chiefs did manage to find themselves some points right before intermission to make it a 10-3 game right before Usher took the stage.
Things did not start out well for Patrick Mahomes and Co., as he threw a wobbly interception on third down on the opening possession of the second half. Fortunately for them, the 49ers went three and out despite tremendous field position. Kansas City went on a 10-0 run themselves to take a 13-10 lead thanks to this muffed punt return.
The punt that changed the momentum in Vegas.
📺: #SBLVIII on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/dClcEDViWl pic.twitter.com/Xzn4m6FvBs— NFL (@NFL) February 12, 2024
MVS and the @Chiefs were HYPE after the touchdown 🔥 @budlight
📺: #SBLVIII on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/dClcEDViWl pic.twitter.com/uNGe9lYVMc— NFL (@NFL) February 12, 2024
San Francisco did respond with a touchdown drive of their own to retake the lead. Brock Purdy found wide receiver Jauan Jennings for the go-ahead score, allowing Jennings to create history. Jennings joined Eagles quarterback Nick Foles as the only two players to record both a receiving and passing touchdown in the Super Bowl, as he found running back Christian McCaffrey on a trick play in the first half. Jennings was arguably the second best quarterback on the field!
But a blocked PAT from rookie kicker Jake Moody kept it a 16-13 game, allowing the Chiefs to keep chipping away. Kansas City responded with a field goal drive to tie the game, which led to another 49ers field goal to go up 19-16, their final lead of the game. San Francisco had to settle because Purdy’s pass on third down fell incomplete – not the last time this would happen.
Patrick Mahomes reminded everyone why he is the deadliest man in the NFL in the waning moments of a game, as he marched Kansas City all the way down to the 49ers’ 11-yard line for another Harrison Butker field goal. Butker – who connected on his previous three field goal attempts, including a Super Bowl record 57-yarder – tied the game at 19-19, giving us the second overtime Super Bowl in history.
San Francisco won the coin toss and looked sharp, despite being bailed out on 3rd-and-13 thanks to a Chiefs defensive holding call. They made it all the way to Kansas City’s nine-yard line. On 3rd-and-4, Purdy threw another incomplete wobbler, forcing the 49ers to settle for another field goal of their own.
This is where legends are forged. Down 22-19, the Chiefs had one final opportunity to either extend the game or win it. An opportunity they did not waste, as Mahomes drove the ball 75 yards in 13 plays, capped off by this game winner with only three seconds left in the opening overtime period:
THE CHIEFS ARE BACK-TO-BACK SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS! pic.twitter.com/ZzfhTyUXg9
— NFL (@NFL) February 12, 2024
For the first time since the 2003-2004 New England Patriots, the NFL has a repeat champion – and it is the new current dynasty in the league.
As for the 49ers, another chance at glory slips through their fingers. Certainly, not one 12th Man, Woman or Child will be feeling sorry. Twice now under head coach Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco has led by 10 points but could not do anything when it mattered most. This is now the third Super Bowl loss for Shanahan, as he was the offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons when they blew the infamous 28-3 lead to the Patriots.
So celebrate, 12’s. The Seahawks may not have made the playoffs, but the 49ers were humiliated on the biggest stage again.
(Also, not for nothing, the last time the 49ers lost the Super Bowl, Seattle did win 12 games and the NFC West. So, perhaps there is a nice precedent new coach Mike Macdonald has to work with!)
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