By Jacob Bugarin
This past Sunday was the final game of the NFL season and it ended in a bang. The San Francisco 49ers faced off against the Kansas City Chiefs for the second time after losing to them four years ago. As a 49ers fan, it is a pain to say that The 49ers couldn’t get the job done, losing the game 22-25 in overtime. Patrick Mahomes became the first quarterback to win three Super Bowls at the age of 28. In addition, the Chiefs won back to back Super Bowls which hasn’t been done since the 2002-2003 New England Patriots with Tom Brady. With the game concluded, let’s recap some highlights of the game
First Quarter
The first quarter defined straight defense with the opening drive, the 49ers were driving the ball to the Chiefs territory, where Christian Mccaffery fumbled the ball on the Kansas City 27 yard line. Then, the 49ers forced a three and out, but didn’t do anything on that position where they punted the ball to the Chiefs. On that punt though, 49ers Dre Greenlaw was hyped after wide receiver Chris Conley made a tackle.He ran on the field jumping then tore his achilles running out on the field. 49ers defensive end Chase Young finally got a sack that drove and the defense again forced a three and out. This was the first time in Super Bowl History that no one scored in one quarter.
Second Quarter:
The second quarter started with the 49ers driving the ball down, but with a missed throw down the field to Brandon Aiyuk, the 49ers had to kick a field goal making the score 3-0. The Kansas City Chiefs were getting nowhere with the ball during the second quarter where Mahomes was getting contained and the running game was not there for the Chiefs. With 4:23 to go, Brock Purdy throws a screen to Jauan Jennings where Jennigns throws the ball to Christian Mccaffrey on the other side, where he ran for a touchdown making it 10-0. But with enough time, the Chiefs drove the ball down the field to get a 28 yard FG before half time.
Third Quarter:
Kicking off the third quarter, the Chiefs started with the ball and came off pretty strong, but Patrick Mahomes tried to throw a corner route and he got intercepted by Ji’yar Brown. The 49ers got the ball, but didn’t do anything with it, throwing it on all the two drives they stopped the Chiefs on. The Chiefs got a 57 FG on their second possession. This is where the Chiefs took advantage, on a punt where the ball hit Darrell Luter. Jr foot, punt runner Ray Ray Mccloud failed to recover the ball where the Chiefs recovered. On that possession, Patrick Mahomes threw the ball to an open Marquez Valdes-Scantling for the Chiefs first lead of the game with a score of 13-10. The 49ers would drive the ball down to the Chiefs 50 yard line, to end the quarter.
Fourth Quarter:
With the 49ers driving down the field, with 11:22 in the 4th, Brock Purdy hits a slant to Jauan Jennings for a ten yard touchdown. With the extra point, Jake Moody was blocked on the kick making the score 16-13. The 49ers defense started letting up some check downs to Travis Kelece and Rashee Rice, making the Chiefs drive to the 49ers end zone. They would eventually settle for a field goal making it 16-16 with 5:46 to go. This is where Brock Purdy had to lead his team down the field until a two minute warning hit with a critical third down. On that third down, Chiefs all-pro cornerback Trent Mcduffie blitzed Brock Purdy forcing an incompletion. Jake Moody then makes a 53 yard FG for the 49ers to take the lead 19-16. Patrick Mahomes’ last possession in the 4th quarter, takes advantage of the 49ers soft coverage they were playing and drives the ball to the 49ers 29 yard line. With a chance to win the game, Patrick Mahomes throws a fade ball to Travis Kelce, but 49ers all-pro linebacker Fred Warner forces the incompletion. Then to force overtime, Harrison Bukter makes a 29 yard FG to force the second overtime in Super Bowl history.
Overtime:
On the coin toss, the 49ers elected to RECEIVE(why?) the ball during overtime without knowing the rules of overtime. Then, the 49ers started off the drive almost going three and out, but a holding call on Trent Mucduffie got an automatic first down. This would spark a huge drive for the 49ers hitting Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jenngings to drive to the 27 yard line. With a critical third down, Brock Purdy drops back with Chris Jones running at him, he tries to hit a wide open Jauan Jennings on a whip route, but with pressure Purdy couldn’t hit Jennings resulting in a Jake Moody 27 yard field goal making the score 22-19. Now, Patrick Mahomes gets the ball which was a huge mistake. Driving the ball down the field, the Chiefs were at the 49ers three yard line with Mahomes rolling out to his right hitting Mecole Hardman for the game winning touchdown. The Chiefs are now a dynasty making them the first team since the 2003-2004 Patriots to win back to back Super Bowl’s.
Thoughts:
As a 49ers fan, I am truly sad watching my team lose again in the Super Bowl. I really don’t know what’s going to happen to the 49er next season, but with a franchise quarterback the 49ers don’t have to worry at that position. Now, I am witnessing the Chiefs become the next New England Patriots. All I can say is, the Chiefs will be the team to beat next year and the 49ers have a lot of ground to make up and could be the last time they can win a Super Bowl.
beniciapaw.com 