SHOCKING BRUTAL: See how Chiefs is back in Super Bowl LVIII….

In the end, there were numerous causes. And now for ten plays and talking points from the 49ers’ heartbreaking season-ending loss, listed in order of significance:

1, 4 and 1 in overtime
Why is this the top play?
It’s that easy: The game would have ended in overtime if the 49ers had stopped Kansas City on downs.
On fourth down, quarterback Patrick Mahomes was expected to hold onto the ball, so the 49ers should have made it harder for him to gain those eight yards by putting his legs around the right tackle. It would have been preferable to appoint someone to be a spy on him, even if it meant giving up some coverage.

It would have, at the very least, forced Kansas City to execute a high-pressure pass. The 49ers ought to have forced the Chiefs to make a play instead of not even attempting to challenge Mahomes when he had the ball in his hands, as they had more interceptions this season than any other NFL club.
The 49ers defense grew sluggish as the drive went on and provided no opposition the remainder of the way, allowing the Chiefs to score the game-winning touchdown.

2, 3 and 5 in the fourth quarter
Perhaps there were hints before the snap that Trent McDuffie, the cornerback, was about to go on a blitz. Perhaps tight end George Kittle, who was positioned in the backfield, saw it and slid to his left to protect a pass. Perhaps Brandon Aiyuk might have received a quicker pass from Brock Purdy.

The 49ers may have been able to run out the majority of the clock in regulation to set up Jake Moody for what may have been a walk-off field goal try and a potential 22-19 victory if they had converted the first down.
However, Moody’s 53-yard field goal with 1:53 left after McDuffie broke up the pass gave Mahomes and company plenty of time to drive .

3. Swollen punt
over regular, Kansas City managed just one touchdown, which occurred over a single 16-yard “drive.”
Tommy Townsend hit 49ers blocker Darrell Luter’s leg with a short punt, which resulted in a turnover for the team. Luter was reportedly unaware of return man Ray-Ray McCloud’s warning to move away from the ball.
Then, instead of falling on the ball and trying to get possession by any means necessary, McCloud attempted to pick it up and remain upright as it became live.

The 49ers were penalized by Mahomes for a 16-yard touchdown pass to Marquez Valdes-Scantling after the Chiefs recovered at the 16-yard line. With two minutes left in the third quarter, that score gave Kansas City its first lead of the game, 13-10.

4. Inadequate PAT
With 11:22 left in regulation, Purdy and resolute wide receiver Jauan Jennings connected on a 10-yard scoring throw to give the 49ers the lead again.
But Leo Chenal raised a hand to thwart Moody’s seeming low effort at an extra point. Consequently, the 49ers’ lead was just three points rather than four. Naturally, we have no idea how things would have worked out. On the following drive, Kansas City might not have accepted a field goal, and with :03 left in the fourth quarter, they very definitely would not have kicked a field goal late in regulation to cut the deficit to one point.
The game proceeded as it did throughout and concluded in overtime because of the blocked extra point.