GOOD NEWS: Super Bowl: A number of 49ers players acknowledged…..

The NFL’s new playoff overtime rules were put to the test on Sunday when San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan decided to take the ball first in overtime, which cost the team the opportunity to win the 2024 Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs. Following a field goal on San Francisco’s first (and only) overtime drive, the Chiefs scored the game-winning touchdown.

It was the first overtime playoff game after the NFL’s 2022 rule changes, which allow both teams to have a possession of the ball, were implemented. Before then, the game was won by the first side to score a touchdown in overtime.

Some 49ers players were still alive in 2021, despite the new regulations having been in place for two seasons. Several of them admitted to Lindsay Jones of The Ringer that they were unaware of the new overtime regulations that were exclusive to the playoffs after their 25-22 loss.

Following the game, a number of San Francisco players stated that they were unaware that the overtime regulations during the playoffs varied from those during the regular season and that the team did not have any strategy meetings to decide how to manage the overtime period. Arik Armstead, a defensive lineman, stated that he became aware of the postseason rule’s specifics during a TV timeout following regulation at Allegiant Stadium. Kyle Juszczyk, a fullback, stated he believed the 49ers inquired.

Although Shanahan was aware of the concept, not every player had been informed of it. Conversely, the Chiefs had been practicing overtime for the Super Bowl since training camp and have dedicated a considerable amount of time in recent weeks to talking about the plan.