Originally posted by real9erfan:
Originally posted by bpg4980:
Not a chance. I don't mean to be a downer, but doesn't everyone understand what losing a SB does to a team mentally? It's motivating to lose any other game, as long as it's not the one you dreamed about winning since you were a child. Coming up a few yards short in the biggest moment of your life is not something you just "come back stronger from". Dying inside is not a good thing! Ask any player who's lost a SB and they'll tell you it's not fuel for anything other than depression and regret. The players hearts were broken in the NFCCG last year, but they were stomped on this year.
It's been over 40 years since a team that has lost the SB has come back and won it the next year. Realistically, when we are faced with adversity next year (and we will be) the seeds of doubt are more likely to crawl into our players minds than this year. It's undeniable human nature and that's why it's been so long since a SB loser has overcome the albatross of losing the big one. This isn't basketball or baseball where there are far less injuries and best of 7 series with breaks to heal emotional wounds. Football is different. Even as talented as we are, mindset is very important, and it will be a historical anomaly if our guys are mentally tough enough to block all of this out. Like all of you, I'm hoping I'm wrong.
I think there are a lot of other factors that have resulted in teams not winning a Super Bowl after winning one. It's not because players are not motivated the next year. You look at the Buffalo Bills in the 1990's and they went to the Super Bowl 4 years in a row. True they didn't win it, but that's more due to the fact that for some reason the NFC teams going to the Super Bowl had superior talent year in year out. Obviously they were motivated enough to return not once, not twice, but three times. This year the Patriots were one game away from returning to the Super Bowl after losing last year. I don't think they failed to make it because the players had doubts creep in their heads. It's more due to the fact that they simply did not play well against Baltimore and were missing a key player due to injury. I don't see why the 49ers wouldn't have the motivation to return to the Super Bowl. I think they definitely will be determined to go back to the big game and win it. They will still have a major chip on their shoulders for failing to close the deal the year before.
they're going to be motivated no question, but that doesnt put you in the sb. all the other nfc playoff teams who lost before us are going to be motivated too. we failed to cash the lottery ticket we were holding. can we get back? sure, but i dont put us as having better odds that the other 4 or 5 nfc teams who can legitly challenge for it.
