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What Is Kyle Shanahan’s Fourth Quarter Curse? Decoding 46–0 Heartbreak of San Francisco 49ers HC

Published 02/11/2024, 9:08 AM EST

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USA Today via Reuters

Under Kyle Shanahan, the San Francisco 49ers have unfurled the playbook of modern offensive mastery. Since 2019, they’ve consistently showcased a top-tier aerial assault, save for the turbulent trials of 2020. Across 2022 and 2023, the Niners dominated the gridiron, ranking among the elite in nearly every statistical realm. Crafting a symphony of success from seemingly discordant metrics.

Now, Shanahan, the wily 44-year-old strategist heralded as one of the gridiron’s foremost innovators, finds himself once more at the cusp of NFL glory. With ghosts of near-misses past looming, he leads his squad into battle against the formidable Kansas City Chiefs, seeking to etch his name in championship lore and rewrite the narrative of his Super Bowl setbacks.

Kyle Shanahan’s Super Bowl struggles

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Kyle Shanahan’s Super Bowl narrative, starkly recounted by MLFootball. Has ignited fervent debate among NFL aficionados. The damning stats speak volumes: “DAMN: In the two Super Bowls that Kyle Shanahan coached, his teams were outscored 46-0 in the 4th quarter.”

The tale of 2017 still echoes through football lore. A commanding lead evaporated into thin air as the Atlanta Falcons, under Shanahan’s offensive guidance. Succumbed to the relentless onslaught of Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. It stands as a haunting reminder of the fragility of victory in the NFL’s ultimate crucible.

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Yet, history repeated itself with eerie precision three years later. Shanahan, now in the San Francisco 49ers, found himself once again grappling with the specter of defeat. A double-digit lead evaporated into the desert night as Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs orchestrated a breathtaking fourth-quarter surge. Leaving Shanahan and his team to ponder the cruel whims of fate.

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The art of deception: Inside Shanahan’s playbook

Undeterred by the shadows of past disappointments, Shanahan marches into the neon-lit battleground of Las Vegas with determination etched on his face. With the San Francisco 49ers once again poised for championship glory. Shanahan seeks redemption, aiming to rewrite his Super Bowl legacy and exorcise the ghosts of agonizing near-misses. Come Sunday, as the Kansas City Chiefs await, Shanahan stands ready to seize his shot at football immortality, knowing that the third time might just be the charm.

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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – DECEMBER 23: Head Coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers walks off the field after a game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on December 23, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans defeated the 49ers 20-17. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)In Super Bowl LVIII, no one faces more pressure than Kyle Shanahan. His strategic prowess has been instrumental in propelling Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers to unprecedented heights. Culminating in an NFL record for yards per pass attempt in a season. It’s a record that Shanahan himself had a hand in setting with Matt Ryan back in 2016. A testament to his enduring brilliance as an offensive mastermind.

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Written by:

Jhelum Mehta

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Jhelum Mehta is an NFL content analyst at EssentiallySports. Having started her journey as a writer, she harbors immense knowledge when it comes to the game of touchdowns and tackles. Her current position at ES allows Jhelum to formulate a gripping analysis of live matches that 'pocket' her perspective pieces and help assemble engaging articles.
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Edited by:

Garima Yadav