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5 reasons why 49ers lost Super Bowl 54 vs Chiefs

By Nathan Bannerman

MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: Deebo Samuel #19 of the San Francisco 49ers runs the ball in the first quarter of Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: Deebo Samuel #19 of the San Francisco 49ers runs the ball in the first quarter of Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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No. 5: The NFL’s best defense just couldn’t find a way to close the game.

For much of this season, I was a firm believer of this defense. I still am. When they lost linebacker Kwon Alexander, I kept the faith. I did the year-end awards. Rather than just awarding Defensive Player of the Year to someone with the biggest stats, I looked at who improved from last season to this one.

I gave Defensive Player of the Year to linebacker Fred Warner, who had a tremendous stretch run in the final eight games of the regular season. When times got tough, Warner stepped up.

Unfortunately, when the time was right for them to prove they are one of the best defense’s in the NFL, they faltered. On tight end Travis Kelce‘s touchdown drive with just over six minutes remaining, the 49ers defense was on the field for 10 straight plays.

One of the plays was a costly defensive pass interference call on defensive back Tarvarius Moore.

When head coach Kyle Shanahan challenged the ruling of a completed catch by Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill, it gave the defense another chance to stop the Chiefs. The very next play, a pass from quarterback Patrick Mahomes was completed to Hill for 44 yards.

Four plays later this touchdown basically sealed the fate of the 49ers:

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1224159634321297410

Despite still having a 20-17 lead, I had that gut feeling the Chiefs were going to pull it off.

The defense held Kansas City to just 10 points in three quarters, including shutting them out in the third frame. However, like every other Chiefs opponent learned in the postseason, you can’t let up on their offense.

The 49ers will still have defensive coordinator Robert Saleh next season, and a few core players, as well. The future is still bright for this defense.

Don’t give up on them.