SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The aftermath of the San Francisco 49ers’ narrow defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl continues to linger as they gear up for an upcoming regular-season clash. Eight months have passed since the Chiefs secured the title with a 25-22 overtime victory, and memories of that match still haunt the Niners (3-3) as they prepare to host the undefeated Chiefs (5-0) this Sunday.
Throughout their tape review, the 49ers are confronted with vivid recollections of Chris Jones disrupting critical plays, Patrick Mahomes showcasing his dual-threat ability, and Travis Kelce consistently finding space when it mattered most. These reminders serve as a painful backdrop for San Francisco as they map out strategies to improve upon last year’s showing.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan acknowledged the emotional weight of past matchups during a recent press conference. “It’s understandable to feel some residual impact from two Super Bowl losses,” he stated. “Turning on the tape brings back memories, but this game is not linked to last year’s outcomes.” Shanahan emphasized the importance of moving forward, detaching from the pain of previous games.
This weekend’s matchup is significant in NFL history, marking the 10th instance where teams that faced each other in a Super Bowl met again in the regular season. Historically, the reigning champions have outperformed the other team, winning six out of those nine subsequent encounters.
While the 49ers recognize the emotional aspects tied to the last Super Bowl, they are focused on this week’s performance. Defensive end Nick Bosa mentioned the significance of learning from past experiences, stating, “We’re watching the tape with an aim to understand the dynamics better. There are many similarities to last year’s team, and we are aware that Mahomes can always be a game-changer.”
The February loss remains fresh in San Francisco’s mind, particularly as they had multiple chances to claim their first championship since 1994. The 49ers held a 10-0 lead early and went on to lead three times in the final quarter and overtime, only to see Mahomes and the Chiefs rally back repeatedly at crucial moments.
Pressure applied to quarterback Brock Purdy resulted in incomplete passes on vital third-down attempts, forcing the Niners to settle for field goals. Kelce’s pivotal 22-yard reception allowed the Chiefs to equalize before the end of regulation, while Mahomes’ strategic fourth-and-1 run in overtime extended the drive that culminated in a touchdown pass.
Purdy has expressed how the failure to convert on a significant third-down attempt still troubles him, as it granted Kansas City the opportunity to tie the game. Moreover, the inability to contain Mahomes during that critical fourth-down situation lingered in the minds of fans and players alike.
After successfully kicking a field goal during the first possession of overtime, the Niners found themselves on the verge of victory with a chance to stop Mahomes on fourth-and-1. The decision to fake a handoff to Isiah Pacheco caught the defense off guard, resulting in Mahomes executing a pivotal run for the first down.
Bosa, reflecting on the encounter, described the challenge, noting, “It was a tough moment considering we had the right calls to counter it. They executed the zone read effectively, and we failed to adjust properly. That’s something we will address this time around.” He, alongside linebacker Fred Warner, underscored the need for consistent performance throughout the game and not just focus on high-pressure moments.
Regarding the team’s current injuries, fill-in kicker Matthew Wright (shoulder, back) was absent from practice, leading to the Niners signing Anders Carlson for backup. Other players, such as WR Jauan Jennings (hip) and DT Maliek Collins (knee), also missed practice, while RB Jordan Mason (shoulder), WR Deebo Samuel (wrist), DT Jordan Elliott (knee), S Malik Mustapha (ankle), and CB Darrell Luter (pelvis) were limited.