SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Despite the San Francisco 49ers’ attempts to dismiss the so-called curse of the Super Bowl runner-up ahead of this season, the first half of 2024 has mirrored previous years plagued by such a phenomenon.
A summer rife with contract negotiations, injuries that sidelined key players from last season, and inconsistent performance have all contributed to the team’s struggles. Currently, the 49ers find themselves with a 4-4 record as they head into their bye week, simply striving to reclaim a shot at the playoffs.
In their recent game against Dallas, San Francisco managed to secure a 30-24 victory, showcasing an impressive third quarter that serves as a model for the team’s strategy in the upcoming games to overcome the Super Bowl aftermath and regain last year’s high level of play.
“I believe we can achieve everything we aimed for,” said coach Kyle Shanahan. “Looking at our current standing and our potential, I feel we haven’t reached our peak yet. There’s plenty of room for improvement, and I know this team has the talent to elevate its game. Our focus is on becoming a stronger unit in the latter half of the season compared to the beginning.”
The ongoing contract disputes that kept veterans Trent Williams and Brandon Aiyuk out of training camp, combined with injuries to prominent players like Christian McCaffrey, Javon Hargrave, and Talanoa Hufanga, have made establishing a competitive rhythm quite difficult.
The Niners have seen significant leads evaporate in losses to divisional rivals like the Rams and Arizona. Furthermore, disappointing performances against Kansas City and Minnesota have been far from what was expected from a team that dominated its first five games last season, winning most by considerable margins.
This scenario is not foreign to a team that has recently lost a Super Bowl. The toll from playing additional games, the disappointment of narrowly missing out on a championship, and the typical regression can create hurdles for teams in the following season. The 49ers are acutely aware of this, having experienced a 6-10 record in 2020, plagued by injuries after their Super Bowl defeat to Kansas City. The Niners are among just 14 teams over the past 35 years to miss the playoffs after a Super Bowl loss.
Historically, only three teams have succeeded in clinching the Super Bowl title the year following a loss in the championship game. The last team to achieve this was the 2018 New England Patriots, while Dallas and Miami accomplished it in consecutive years during the 1971-72 seasons. Notably, the Patriots remain the sole Super Bowl runner-up to return to the championship game the next season since the Buffalo Bills’ four consecutive losses between 1990 and 1993.
The 49ers aspire to replicate this success, and there are indications from their sluggish start that offer some optimism. In recent seasons, San Francisco has shown significant improvement after the bye week, going 16-2 in that timeframe, which has paved the way for successful playoff runs.
Contributions from the rookie class, led by standout right guard Dominick Puni and resilient wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, who bravely returned to action after a serious injury, have bolstered the team’s depth.
Moreover, the expected return of injured stars like McCaffrey and linebacker Dre Greenlaw could alleviate pressure on key players such as Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, Brock Purdy, George Kittle, and Trent Williams, allowing the 49ers to regain the performance levels seen in previous seasons.
“We have everything to look forward to,” Warner stated. “The potential is limitless. We have the roster we need, even with some injuries. We aim to get healthy during the bye week. The main goal is continuous improvement. We cannot afford to inconsistently show up for games, winning one only to drop the next. Our focus must be on getting better.”