Evan and Tiki were at odds over Kyle Shanahan’s decision to receive the ball at the start of overtime on Sunday, and Evan’s argument against it included a daring alternative.
“If the Kansas City Chiefs take the opening possession of overtime and do what we all think they’re gonna do, which is march down the field and score a touchdown, then I get the ball, and I have a chance to end it by scoring a touchdown and going for two, and ending it,” Evan said. “Not giving Mahomes that third possession. That’s the mistake you’re all making…it’s the right decision. Any other decision you make gives Mahomes a better chance to beat you.”
Tiki isn’t sure being that daring and banking on going for two is the right play, and noted that all the 49ers defense needed to was hold Kansas City to a field goal after booting one of their own, and they would have the ball in sudden death format, with a shot to win the Super Bowl. They just weren’t able to execute.
“When Kyle Shanahan elects to take the ball, you’re making the worst-case assumption,” Tiki said. “The worst-case assumption is that you go score, and they go score…and then it’s sudden death. And you have the possession advantage.
“I didn’t mind Kyle Shanahan taking the football. They moved the ball right down the field. They just short-circuited when they got close…and then their defense couldn’t do what most defenses can’t do, which is stop Patrick Mahomes.”