The San Francisco 49ers are taking on the Dallas Cowboys with a chance of a potential NFC Championship appearance on the line, and many around the NFL world were very critical of 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan for his clock management at the end of the first half.
San Francisco got the ball back at their own 28-yard-line with 1:25 remaining in the first half after an interception from Dak Prescott with three timeouts remaining.
Dak Prescott tosses a red-zone interception on 2nd-and-2. Yikes. 🏈 pic.twitter.com/sPCKDIc4hR
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) January 23, 2023
Most would think that this was plenty of time for San Francisco to move the ball down the field for a potential field goal or touchdown possibility on the drive.
However, Shanahan decided to open up the drive with two run plays. The second run play drew some heavy criticism, as he decided not to call a timeout and run the clock down to 30 seconds remaining in the half.
Luckily this blunder did not cost the 49ers all that much. They went on to convert a number of big completions from quarterback Brock Purdy to get into field goal range, leading to a field goal at the end of the first half by Robbie Gould.
Robbie Gould nails a 50-yard field goal to give the 49ers a 9-6 lead at halftime. 🏈 pic.twitter.com/ukPXz9VfcZ
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) January 23, 2023
It has been only field goals in the first half from San Francisco, and many around the NFL world believe that Kyle Shanahan should have been far more aggressive on that possession.
Kyle Shanahan losing it here. Has to manage these situations better. wasting all that time. Going uber conservative with the QB only to almost blow it there makes no sense
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) January 23, 2023
Jauan Jennings and Robbie Gould saved that 49ers drive from awful clock management by Kyle Shanahan.
— Christopher Gabriel (@CGProgram) January 23, 2023
What on Earth was Kyle Shanahan doing?
— Kyle Rowland (@KyleRowland) January 23, 2023
In addition to being a coward, Kyle Shanahan is also a moron, apparently
— Keith Schweigert (@K_Schweigert) January 23, 2023
It is certainly worth noting that the 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy is starting just his eighth NFL game on Sunday, which could be a factor for this decision by Shanahan.
Regardless, Shanahan is typically thought of as one of the most impressive coaches in the NFL, but this clock management issue could certainly come back to cost the 49ers should they continue to struggle offensively.
