San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan appears to be like on the notes through the second half of the NFL Tremendous Bowl 58 soccer recreation in opposition to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photograph/George Walker IV)
Cherry Creek fouled Valor Christian. A recreation that ought to have been within the palms of Christian McCaffrey within the third quarter ended up within the gloves of Patrick Mahomes in time beyond regulation.
Oh, there can be extra Tremendous Bowls for Kyle Shanahan, the delight of Cherry Creek, son of Broncos icon Mike Shanahan. But when Chiefs 25, 49ers 22 sting slightly extra Monday in Broncos Nation, it's as a result of Little Shanny waited too lengthy to alter course. That's as a result of the AFC's latest dynasty feels prefer it's driving a wave of Entrance Vary tears.
And let's be sincere: That's as a result of McCaffrey, the 49ers star and former Valor cow, touched the ball 14 instances within the first half and simply three within the third quarter, a stretch that helped Mahomes and the Patriots West get off the mat.
It wasn't the identical situation that burned younger Shanahan as a lot as when he was offensive coordinator with the Falcons — a 28-3 Tremendous Bowl lead inexplicably became one other Tom Brady triumph.
However the beats had been eerily shut. Little Shanny responded to the landing cushion and Mahomes' interception after halftime with six straight passes … accumulating detrimental 2 internet yards. Kyle forgot for a painful, fleeting second that he had the most effective tail within the free world. He let Mahomes grasp round too lengthy.
We already know the way a lot the soccer gods love the quantity 15. Why tease or tempt them? Check out Kansas Metropolis's postseason journey. Miami at dwelling? Minus-27 wind chill. Buffalo on the way in which? Vast proper. Baltimore on the way in which? Lamar Jackson forgot he was Lamar and tied himself in knots making an attempt to be Mahomes.
With 2:32 left within the third stanza, the gods lastly struck. Chiefs punt scratched Niners particular teamer Darrell Luter Jr.'s heel. and at last on the San Fran 16 it was acquired by KC's Jaylen Watson.
By no means one to show down a present, Mahomes pounced on the very subsequent play, discovering a wide-open Marquez Valdes-Scantling within the entrance of the tip zone for a straightforward rating and the Chiefs' first lead of the night time, 12-10.
In the meantime, San Fran opened with a rocking verse on KC 44, due to a clutch tip. Nothing. Shanahan bought it again on the Niners 36. Nonetheless nada.
It got here after Little Shanny and the Niners left the halftime part to Usher and he held a 10-3 lead – a scoreline that flattered the defending champions.
Halfway by way of the second quarter, the Chiefs' masterful ball of metal wool gave the impression to be unraveling, one strand at a time. CBS cameras confirmed Travis Kelce operating as much as coach Andy Reid like he was possessed and shoving his longtime coach within the aspect, raging and barking like Captain Cheeseburger had simply dropped the identify of one in all Taylor Swift's ex-lovers.
Regardless of the sloppy begins by each groups, Shanahan was at the very least smart sufficient to not neglect what he had within the backfield — McCaffrey had 14 touches within the first two quarters, 9 of them.
However the sweetest got here on what at first appeared like a damaged recreation saved by Pace and Insanity. Nonetheless, upon slowing down, it seems that The Son of The Mastermind is definitely a chip from an outdated zone block.
With 4:23 left within the half, Niners wideout Jauan Jennings took a snap down the left sideline, eyes downfield. Solely he moved shortly to his proper and swung a cross, this injured duck, towards McCaffrey. The Denver native needed to leap to lure the ball in mid-flight and created a head like Popeye's after wolfing down a can of spinach.
Christian's greatest braveness certainly proved sturdy to the tip. With at the very least two Niners blockers blocking site visitors in the precise flat, McCaffrey turned what appeared like pure insanity right into a 21-yard landing dash and a 9-0 cushion.
Kyle studied nicely. However Mike's son, who coached the Broncos to back-to-back championships, additionally knew when to fold them on that stage. When to carry them. When to go away. And most significantly, when to run.
