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Stephen A rips 49ers for not knowing new NFL playoff overtime rule originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
In the fallout from the 49ers’ crushing 25-22 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII, it has become clear San Francisco wasn’t prepared if the game went to overtime, which is inevitably did.
The NFL changed the playoff overtime rule last offseason to ensure both teams would have at least one possession, unless the first drive ended in a safety.
After the loss at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, veteran 49ers players Arik Armstead and Kyle Juszczyk admitted to reporters they were unaware of the overtime rule change, baffling national pundits Monday morning.
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith didn’t hold back on “First Take” when addressing the 49ers’ ignorance on the overtime rule change, directing his ire at coach Kyle Shanahan and 49ers players.
“This particular situation is a smear on the entire organization and let me tell you why,” Smith told co-host Shannon Sharpe. “No. 1, you’re the coach, Kyle Shanahan. It’s your job to make sure you articulate what the situation is, that your players know all the rules that they need to know. That’s No. 1.
“No. 2, hold the players accountable. Last time I checked, you can read. You’re playing the game. This is your profession. How in god’s name are you going to be postgame of the Super Bowl and talk about you aren’t even aware of the circumstances of an overtime game when there’s a Super Bowl championship on the line. It just goes to show that folks were asleep at the wheel, at least to some degree. They certainly didn’t play that way, especially defensively, because I give them a lot of credit where credit is due.
“But nevertheless, you cannot have a situation where you’re admitting post-Super Bowl that you didn’t even know the rules that pertain to overtime. Overtime is sudden death. Overtime is everything is on the line right now. And it’s the Super Bowl championship that’s on the line and you are literally saying…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/stephen-rips-49ers-not-knowing-202152912.html
Author : NBC Sports BayArea
Publish date : 2024-02-12 20:21:52
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