As the 49ers enter the NFL playoffs as favorites to win Super Bowl LVIII, the Vince Lombardi Trophy is up for coach Kyle Shanahan
But NBC Sports Bay Area analyst Donte Whitner believes the stars are perfectly aligned for San Francisco to win its sixth championship, as he participated in the tournament’s Hot Take”
“Head Coach Kyle Shanahan had his best coaching year this year...and I truly believe this is the year he brings home the Lombardi,” Whitner said Sunday after 49ers’ loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the regular season finale.
San Francisco (12-5) clinched the top seed in the NFC playoffs in Week 17 and now enjoys a first-round bye in Super Wild Card Weekend before welcoming a division-clinching opponent. circle signatory at the stadium of Leviand either January 20 or January. 21.
If Shanahan and the 49ers make it to Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas and win the Super Bowl, San Francisco and his father, Mike Shanahan, will become the NFL’s first father-son head coaching duo to win a championship. Mike won Super Bowl titles as coach of the Denver Broncos in 1997 and ‘98, while Shanahan lost as coach of the 49ers to end the 2019 season.
Whitner is optimistic about Shanahan’s chance to make history with a Super Bowl victory, he explained, because of quarterback Brock Purdy and the 49ers in the Assault Weapons Treasure Chest.
“I say that because this is the first year that Kyle actually suffered as much pain as he imagined” Whitner continued, noting the versatility of wide receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuki, the matchup problems created by quarterback Christian McCaffrey and the pass-blocking duality of tight end George Kittle.
At the heart of it all is Purdy, as 49ers’ offense now functions as a team and a catalyst after years of defensive dominance.
“The deciding factor is Brock Purdy” Whitner said. andquot;This is the first time in Kyle Shanahanand’s career as a head coach and offensive coordinator that he has been truly happy with his quarterback. Brock Purdy not only knows how to throw the football at the right time, make the right decisions and take care of the football, but he also has the gene to keep the game going.
“And it’s also the first year that Kyle Shanahan has made the playoffs completely dependent on his offense... When Brock Purdy and 49ers’ offense can continue its explosive ways, score, run the football and get the defense, I truly believe this is the year Kyle Shanahan cements himself among the great head coaches in NFL history”
Ahead of their fourth playoff appearance, the 49ers’ Over the past five seasons, Shanahan has certainly accomplished enough to establish himself as one of the best coaches in San Francisco”. A Super Bowl win would add to that legacy, and Whitner believes that’s in the cards..
