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MIAMI – Here is how the 49ers (15-4) graded in their final exam, a 31-20 defeat in Super Bowl LIV to the Kansas City Chiefs:
PASS OFFENSE: D+
Jimmy Garoppolo’s efficient game went to heck in the closing minutes with the Lombardi Trophy at stake. He finished 20-of-31 for 219 yards but completed 2-of-9 passes for 24 yards over the final three drives, and none loomed larger than a third-down overthrow on a potential 49-yard, legacy-making touchdown pass to Emmanuel Sanders. George Kittle wasn’t spotted breaking open a couple times, finished with only four catches for 36 yards, and a debatable pass-interference penalty robbed him of a 42-yard catch and the 49ers of points before halftime. Pass protection, like so much else, also wore down toward the end. Kyle Juszczyk came through with the first Super Bowl touchdown catch by an Ivy Leaguer (15 yards) and Deebo Samuel had a team-high five catches, for just 39 yards.
RUN OFFENSE: C+
A 22-carry, 141-yard output in a Super Bowl seems acceptable, except for the fact the 49ers barely ran once they had a 20-10 lead. Their five runs afterward saw Raheem Mostert with gains of 6, 1, 5 and 17 yards, plus a Garoppolo 3-yard scramble. Deebo Samuel’s 53 rushing yards set a Super Bowl record for a wide receiver. Mostert finished a breakout season with 12 carries, 58 yards and the 49ers’ final touchdown on a 1-yard run in the third quarter. Tevin Coleman rebounded from a shoulder dislocation in the NFC Championship Game, and his night (five carries, 28 yards) was highlighted by a 17-yard run to set up the 49ers’ first touchdown. Hopefully this wasn’t the career finale for left tackle Joe Staley, and this remains a formidable offensive line going forward with all starters still under contract.
PASS DEFENSE: D-
Blowing a 20-10 lead is on this unit more than any other. Blame it on a 44-yard completion to a wide open Tyreek Hill (past Emmanuel Moseley) on third-and-15 to spark their fourth-quarter rally. Blame Richard Sherman or Jimmie Ward for letting Sammy Watkins slip by for 38 yards to set up their go-ahead points. Blame it on a pass rush for finally giving into Patrick Mahomes’ magic that also produced comeback wins in their preceding two playoffs games. Mahomes got sacked four times and the 49ers had him on the ropes, looking absolutely cooked after second-half nterceptions by Fred Warner and Tarvarius Moore. DeForest Buckner (1 1/2 sacks) and Nick Bosa (1 fumble-forcing sack) are franchise cornerstones who must key the 2020 recovery. Arik Armstead, whose pressure led to Warner’s interception, is a pending free agent, as is Jimmie Ward.
RUN DEFENSE: D
This unit didn’t seem itself, whether it was missed tackles or out-of-gap woes. Damien Williams (17 carries, 104 yards) took advantage with third-down pickups and eventually a 38-yard touchdown run as the final blow to the 49ers’ chances. Fred Warner (7 tackles, 1 interception) had his moments, and Ward made a touchdown-saving hard hit on Mahomes early in the game. Sheldon Day’s interior presence waned, Solomon Thomas wasn’t on the final stat sheet, and Kwon Alexander had just one tackle (after missing one). Hot Boyzz were not legendary in a good way.
SPECIAL TEAMS: C-
Richie James Jr. was awful, from a muffed punt return (and fortunate recovery) to his punitive kick returns (15.3-yard average) in his worst outing of the season. Robbie Gould was perfect on his two-field goal attempts (38 and 42 yards). Mitch Wishnowsky wasn’t summoned to punt until nine minutes left, and his second punt traveled just 40 yards as the Chiefs started at their 35 for their go-ahead drive.
COACHING: D
No “F” grade? You can, I’ll refrain, for Kyle Shanahan’s postgame defense of his players and his accountability was ideal. However, his coaching legacy now involves the two biggest collapses in Super Bowl history, as the 2016 Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator (28-3 blown lead) and as the 49ers’ third-year coach (20-10 blown lead). Those loses saw his teams outscored 46-0 in the fourth quarter and overtime of those defeats. Obviously this is not all on Shanahan, as much as you want to second-guess him (and his staff and players) for such issues as the final minutes of the first half (when Kittle’s catch would have nullified clock-management issues and triggered more points.)
Players have to make plays, and coaches have to get them ready to make them. Robert Saleh’s defenders disappeared in crunch time. But just look at ESPN’s SportsCenter, teasing to an upcoming segment with a picture of Shanahan and captioning it: “COMING UP: ANOTHER BLOWN SUPER BOWL LEAD”
Overall, Shanahan will handle this with aplomb. He may hate it, but he knows what comes with the job. And he’s indeed worthy of such employment. He’s done a fabulous job getting the 49ers here. And to where they are going, which will be his toughest job yet.
