49ers players admit not knowing overtime rules after Super Bowl loss to Chiefs, thought first TD wins game

For the first time under the postseason rules implemented in 2022, a Super Bowl went into overtime. The Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers were all tied up at 19 a piece at the end of regulation and needed extra time to decide who would win Super Bowl LVIII. Overtime rules have been debated, caused controversy and been changed over the years, so fans were given a refresher before the free football took place. 

As it turns out, some players were also in need of a rule explanation.

Multiple 49ers players admitted that they did not know the overtime protocol and assumed it was the same as the regular season, where a touchdown wins the game, even if the other team hasn’t had possession. 

In the playoffs and the Super Bowl, both offenses get a chance to have the ball and if the game is still tied after both teams have a possession, it then goes into sudden death, unless the first drive of the game is a safety, which ends the contest. The 49ers won the coin toss ahead of the second overtime in Super Bowl history and elected to receive the ball. 

Many have criticized head coach Kyle Shanahan’s decision, but he says he wanted to ensure the Niners would have the ball if things were tied up after each team had the ball. Some of his players thought the reasoning for taking the ball was because a touchdown wins the game, as it does in the regular season. They were surprised to find out that was not the case. 

“I didn’t even know about the new playoff overtime rule, so it was a surprise to me,” San Francisco defensive lineman Arik Armstead said after the loss. “I didn’t even really know what was going on in terms of that.”

Armstead said he learned the rules when they were put on the Jumbotron at Allegiant Stadium.

Niners fullback Kyle Juszczyk said the team had not rehearsed an overtime situation.

“You know what? I didn’t even realize the playoff rules were different in…

Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/49ers-players-admit-not-knowing-overtime-rules-after-super-bowl-loss-to-chiefs-thought-first-td-wins-game/

Author : Shanna McCarriston

Publish date : 2024-02-12 15:47:15

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