Shell-shocked 49ers left wounded after 4th-quarter collapse
In the long run, San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa said, he’ll remember his journey to the Super Bowl journey fondly. “A lot of fun,” even, the NFL’s rookie defensive player of the year said Sunday night.
But in the aftermath of a 31-20 loss to the Chiefs, the season of growth faded to back of mind for Bosa and teammates who had relinquished a 10-point fourth-quarter lead.
What were Bosa’s thoughts right then and there after letting their grasp on the Lombardi Trophy slip?
“Pissed,” Bosa said, hunched over the ice pack strapped around his right shoulder. His teammates agreed.
“It is a terrible feeling, you know?” defensive tackle DeForest Buckner said.
The Chiefs and 49ers traded leads three times, neither club’s advantage too secure for the overwhelming majority of the game.
But until 6:13 remained in Super Bowl LIV, San Francisco hadn’t trailed in two quarters. And in the third quarter, the 49ers defense wreaked havoc on Kansas City.
How did the 49ers, despite two interceptions and four sacks, let KC’s Patrick Mahomes bring the Chiefs back?
A typically eloquent Richard Sherman was left with little to say.
“I’d still describe the feeling as confident. It’s just unfortunate.”
San Francisco’s offensive counterparts agreed. “Pretty brutal,” tight end George Kittle described the loss, longing for another half of football to alter the outcome.
But the 49ers know these chances come few and far between. Their Lombardi drought wasn’t as drastic as the Chiefs’ of 50 years but still dates back to 1994.
Who knows what awaits in 2020 for a team that in one season improved from 4-12 to 13-3?
“Put yourself in my shoes for a second – it is tough,” said 35-year-old left tackle Joe Staley, whose 13 seasons with the franchise now encompass two Super Bowl losses and a fiveyear playoff drought. “I’m sorry. This is super disappointing. This is very hard being in this moment right now.
“You get toward the end of your career, and you realize how rare these opportunities are. The emotions are still raw and real for me right now.” (USA Today/TNS)