There are a million things the San Francisco 49ers could have done differently in Super Bowl 58, but there’s one specific decision that fans and analysts are especially critiquing.

That would be the decision from 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan to start with the ball in overtime after winning the coin toss. Rather than give Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs the ball first, Shanahan wanted his offense out there to begin the extra frame.

 

A new video from “Inside the NFL” shows the Chiefs’ surprised reactions from the 49ers’ decision to take the ball first:

The benefit of hindsight allows fans to criticize Shanahan’s decision. If the 49ers wound up winning in overtime, then Shanahan would be praised as a tactical genius. Pure and simple.

Shanahan’s logic for wanting the ball first is simple: If the game was tied after the first two possessions, it becomes sudden death. And the 49ers would have gotten first dibs on the chance to win it.
But the Kansas City defense rose to the occasion in the red zone by forcing a 49ers field goal. Mahomes then put on the Superman cape and orchestrated a signature drive that culminated with a game-winning touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman.

It’s easy to only blame Shanahan and his decision. But the 49ers defense can also be blamed for mostly no-showing the second half and overtime. And the offense can take criticism for having to settle on field goals despite moving the ball consistently throughout the game.