The San Francisco 49ers blew a 10-point lead in Sunday night's Super Bowl game, and perhaps they have themselves to blame.
The Californian team scored the first 10 points of the game, which did not prevent the Kansas City Chiefs from closing the gap and escaping with a 25-22 overtime victory.
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Furthermore, the losing team's players – or at least some of them – appeared to be swimming in the complete unknown at the end of the 60 regulation minutes. Unlike duels in the regular season, a club has the right to react even if it concedes a touchdown on the first possession of the period.
In the finale, the 49ers got the ball early in overtime and settled for a field goal. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes' gang then responded with a middle finger to confirm his victory.
“I didn't even know there was a new rule, so it was a surprise to me,” defensive player Arik Armstead told Sports Illustrated magazine, adding that the information was broadcast to viewers on the giant screen at Allegiant Stadium were passed on, however, made it easier for some teammates to understand. I didn’t know what was going on in that regard.”
“You know what? “I didn't know the rules were different in overtime,” added fullback Kyle Juszczyk. I guess you just want to take possession of the ball, score a touchdown and win. I guess that was it “Not the case this time. I don't really know the strategy here. We haven't talked about it.”
The last Super Bowl to require overtime before Sunday was in February 2017, when the New England Patriots defeated the Atlanta Falcons 34-28.
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