With three seconds remaining in overtime, Mahomes and the Chiefs were able to score a touchdown, but the 49ers had taken the lead.
On Sunday at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, the 49ers suffered a heartbreaking overtime loss in Super Bowl LVIII against the Chiefs, 25-22.
With three seconds remaining in the extra period, Patrick Mahomes found Mecole Hardman for the game-winning three-yard touchdown pass. In overtime, the 49ers took the lead and moved the ball to the five-yard line, where Jake Moody converted his third game-winning field goal.
Jauan Jennings, a receiver, contributed to both 49ers touchdowns. In the second quarter, he trick-played and found Christian McCaffrey for a 21-yard score. In the fourth quarter, he caught a 10-yard pass to give the 49ers the lead.
Purdy finished with 255 yards and one touchdown on 23 of 38 passes attempted. Christian McCaffrey caught one touchdown and ran 22 times for 80 yards.
In the third quarter, Patrick Mahomes assisted in giving the Chiefs the lead with a touchdown pass to Marquez Valdez-Scantling, after the defense had kept the Chiefs offense in check throughout the first half.
With 1:53 remaining in the game, 49ers kicker Jake Moody connected on a 53-yard field goal to take a 19-16 lead. Mahomes and Travis Kelce then guided the Chiefs on a drive downfield to tie the game and send it into overtime.
In the third quarter, Patrick Mahomes assisted in giving the Chiefs the lead with a touchdown pass to Marquez Valdez-Scantling, after the defense had kept the Chiefs offense in check throughout the first half.
With 1:53 remaining in the game, 49ers kicker Jake Moody connected on a 53-yard field goal to take a 19-16 lead. Mahomes and Travis Kelce then guided the Chiefs on a drive downfield to tie the game and send it into overtime.
Following the game, the 49ers said the following.
Kyle Shanahan at the podium for media
Overall response:
The entire game was back and forth between those two excellent squads. Both teams gave it their all, and in the end, they prevailed.
How do you feel now that the game is over?
“Obviously, our team and I are hurting. No one knows how it feels, and we are all hurting. I don’t know how to put it. But when you put yourself out there, that’s the way it works. I have no regrets about my squad, and I’m really pleased of our guys. The boys played extremely hard today, in my opinion. While nothing was flawless, I would rather lose with those guys over any other group of guys at any given time. We’ll overcome this; it will just take time, and we’ll be ready to go when we return the following year.
It’s evident that you desired a touchdown after the way your offensive drive in overtime played out. What happened wrong that you guys were unable to access that area?
“At the third attempt to score? There appeared to be a protective bust in the center. We were heading to Jauan, and by the looks of things, Jauan had murdered them very well. However, Chris Jones lost control in the middle. I believe there was an error, but I’m not positive. However, it’s difficult to block him.
Had you considered going for it on fourth down in overtime rather than attempting a field goal, or did you not hesitate at all?
“At fourth and four, we never gave it any attention. We could score there, but they could still come back and equalize. Therefore, no, there was not a thought there.
What factors are taken into consideration when deciding who gets the ball first in overtime under the current regulations (both teams get the ball)?
We simply discussed it there, and none of us had much prior experience with it. However, after reviewing all the stats and speaking with those experts, we concluded that it would be preferable and that we wanted the ball in the third position. We wanted to be the team with the best chance of winning if both teams tied and scored. We believed that when we scored the field goal, the ball was in our hands, so we knew we had to restrict them to at least a field goal.
At that time in the game, your defense appeared to be quite exhausted. Did the fact that you wanted to give them a little respite influence your choice in any way?
Not at all. That was our previous decision.
How are things doing for Kittle, Dre Greenlaw, and the other individuals that had to leave the game?
“I’m not sure about George, and Greenlaw tore his Achilles. He was eventually off and on due to a shoulder issue that prevented him from going. He was in great discomfort, but he was still playing.
You tried to shake Andy’s hand outside but were unsuccessful. Is that what makes you think that it will take some time?
“No, we spoke on Monday. The last time we played each other, it took us twenty-five minutes to shake hands. We spoke on Monday, and even though Andy won—I still love and am close to him—we decided to keep talking since it was too difficult to connect after these Super Bowls.
In your opinion, how did Brock Purdy play? He was using his legs to move around. Was that a signal for him to come outside?
“Um, no. I mean we called a couple bootlegs and stuff, which you do that on that. But that’s what Brock does. He scrambles, he makes some plays, and we knew it would be like that. That’s the toughest defense we’ve been against this year, and we knew it going into the game. That’s a good group. The way they mix up the blitzes, and two-shell coverages against the run, and the man coverage they played was tough. That was why they haven’t given up more than 27 this year. We had our chances, and needed to score a couple of touchdowns and didn’t. But I was happy with Brock.”
Kyle, you’ve now had three consecutive double-digit leads in the Super Bowl—once with the 49ers and again with the Falcons. That will come up in conversation. Why, in your opinion, does this keep occurring?
“This is only my second game as head coach, but I believe you never feel comfortable with a lead when you play against players like Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady. Those two players are among the best to have ever played this game. That’s why those guys are in it all the time, whether you’re leading or trailing. You constantly witness them acting in that manner.
