The San Francisco 49ers know what it's like to hit a lull after a long road trip, and they are trying to avoid doing so this weekend against the Philadelphia Eagles. Head coach Kyle Shanahan joined KNBR on Thursday and shared that he felt it happen twice to his team last season.
San Francisco is coming off a two-game road trip that involved a weeklong stay on the East Coast for back-to-back games at MetLife Stadium. The 49ers won both those games and head into Sunday night's matchup as touchdown favorites over the visiting Eagles.
The goal of staying on the East Coast is to make sure the 49ers don't have to get used to a timezone change for back-to-back games. Shanahan explained that the Niners' first East Coast stay in Youngstown, Ohio, to start last season also produced two victories.
"What I did learn last year that was tough, when we went on the road two weeks to start, and we beat Tampa in a tough one, blew out Cincy, we came back, and the focus was tougher versus Pittsburgh," Shanahan explained on the Tolbert, Krueger & Brooks show. "Being on the road for two weeks and everything, the travel, a little bit, I don't know what it is, but you get a little more mentally tired. And when your mind gets a little tired, the body ends up following. I thought that's why we were a little sluggish in Week 3 last year."
Luckily, Shanahan's squad ended up winning that Week 3 matchup against the Steelers.
The 49ers had a second East Coast stay — this time in Florida — between their Week 13 and 14 games. San Francisco played the Baltimore Ravens and then the New Orleans Saints during those back-to-back road matchups, and went 1-1 during the trip.
Shanahan felt his team played well against the Ravens.
"We just lost a tough one at the end on that field goal," Shanahan said. "And then we went and had an unbelievable game with New Orleans. Just all the emotion of those two games, and being on the road together, and we traveled back — I thought we played hard and stuff, but we just looked tired versus Atlanta. We should have won that game but they ended up coming, and winning on the last play to Julio (Jones) there.
"I learned last year that when you put so much into those two road games and stuff, no matter what, there is a little bit of a lull the next time. It's not something that guys are doing consciously. It's just human nature."
That worries Shanahan about this weekend's game, and the coach is challenging his players to overcome a potential lull. That means getting the necessary rest, physically and mentally, and staying hydrated.
The 49ers third practice of the week, being held later today, won't be a full-speed session.
"I want to make sure our guys are really resting up because Philly is a very good team, and their backs are a little bit against the wall," Shanahan added. "And I know they're coming in here ready to go. We've got to understand that because this team can play with anyone. This team can probably be there at the end of the year, and we've got to make sure that we're ready when it comes Sunday night."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Shanahan below.
