OT Coin Toss = 49'ers Demise?
Again, we don't know what happens the other way around either. It's easy to second guess with hindsight.
According to Cam Newton "Hindsight is 50-50". That's the blurred vision Shanahan had. Where's the foresight? This same thread could have been debated prior to the Superbowl and the same consensus would have resulted. The problem for most people is that prior to this game the no brainer decision was to take the ball first in overtime. Most people were unaware of the new rule change and therefore had not given any thought to the pros and cons of taking first or second possession. The 49ers had an opportunity by winning the coin toss to have the upper hand advantage of seeing the game before them play out. By making the wrong decision they gave that advantage away to the Chiefs and it cost them the game.
It's clear that the correct decision is to defer and take 2nd possession. You can call it hindsight if you want but it should have been foresight. What's crazy is that after seeing the result and weighing the pros and cons many still can't see the light.
I posted on page 7 of this thread 3 pros of taking the first possession and 9 pros of taking 2nd possession. That's a 3 to 1 advantage of taking 2nd possession. A part of that post follows:
Several of us who are emphatic that the correct decision is to defer and take 2nd possession have stated over and over numerous reasons why there is an overwhelming advantage to do so. Let's summarize the pros and cons of each.
1st possession:
1. You take first possession and go down and score either a FG or a TD. The 2nd possession team now must at least match in order for game to continue.
2. You take first possession and allow your defense a chance to gets a breather while you are in possession of the ball.
3. If both teams are tied after possessions 1 and 2 you now have possession 3 with only a FG needed to win the game.
2nd possession
1. You play defense and get a turnover that puts you in field position to win and eliminates a 3rd possession by the team who had first possession.
2. You play defense and make the team with first possession punt. You then only need a FG to win the game and everyone knows it.
3. You limit the team with first possession to a FG. You now know that's all you need to continue the game, however a TD wins the game.
4. The team with first possession scores a TD. You now know scoring a FG won't keep you in the game so you play 4 down football to stay in the game.
5. The team with first possession scores a FG. You now know all you need is a FG to stay in the game but you could go for it on 4th to score a TD and win,
6. If the team with first possession didn't score at all the 2nd possession team has the choice to play 4 down football or punt the ball away and play defense.
7. If the team with first possession scores a TD they most likely kick the PAT. 2nd possession team knows it must score a TD but could also go for 2 for the win.
8. If a 3rd possession comes about your defense just got rested while you last had possession that ended in a score to tie the game to continue playing on.
9. If 2 overtime periods come to an end with the score tied the team who at first was 2nd possession now gets the ball to start the "2nd half" or 7th quarter regardless of who was in possession of the ball when "quarter #6" ended, and now only needs to score a FG to win the game.
I don't see more than the 3 reasons above to take 1st possession. If there are, what are they?
There are probably more than the 9 reasons I listed to take 2nd possession. 2nd possession advocates feel free to add to my list.
I have yet to see anyone add any other valid reason to take first possession nor debunk any of the reasons to take 2nd possession. If you can, do so. I'll wait.
Now, if I'm coach and I have Mahomes, I'm hoping we get the ball last because Mahomes is one of the best ever under pressure. He knows how to win games late.
By this statement you are now validating the argument in favor of why you would want 2nd possession. Shanahan should have realized this as well.
Furthermore, the Chief players have already said that was their plan had they won the coin toss, to defer, and they were shocked and elated when the 49ers chose to take the ball first possession. As far as the emotional lift goes, the KC players were jubilant after the coin toss and the SF players were indifferent. That's called being prepared with a plan and being stunned that your opponent was playing checkers while you were playing chess.
Check out this article from the New York Post yesterday by Christian Arnold
https://nypost.com/2024/02/13/sport...eone-fired-for-super-bowl-ot-call-jay-cutler/
“Inside the NFL” captured the moments before and after that fateful coin toss before overtime started and the surprise on the Chiefs’ faces spoke volumes after San Francisco elected to receive to start the extra period.
“They want it. They want the ball,” Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes repeated over and over in shock as he ran off the field after the coin toss.
“They wanted it, baby,” he exclaimed as he meandered around the sideline.