placeholder image

Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports


Crowd noise nearly caused a disaster on 4th-and-2 play during 49ers-Saints, says Kyle Shanahan

Dec 9, 2019 at 3:11 PM--


Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
The Mercedes-Benz Superdome, even with a strong contingent of the Niner Faithful in the stadium, was a troublesome environment for the San Francisco 49ers. That was evident during the 4th-and-2 play that eventually saw quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo hit George Kittle, followed by the tight end fighting and pulling defenders (one from his face mask) for a 39-yard gain. It was capped off by a 15-yard penalty.

The drive concluded with Robbie Gould kicking a game-winning field goal as time expired to lift the 49ers to a 48-46 victory and an 11-2 record.

That fourth-down play almost looked very different, though, and may not have had such a positive result if not for a quick timeout called by head coach Kyle Shanahan before the ball was snapped. The play call that Garoppolo heard and the one that Shanahan sent into the huddle didn't match, and that was because of the crowd noise.

"The thing that impressed me the most was how [Garoppolo] handled the noise," Shanahan told reporters on Monday as he started to explain what happened on that play. "I've been in that stadium a lot, but it was louder than usual to me. You never can hear at the line, but it was very hard for him to hear in the huddle. That's why we had to call a timeout on that 4th-and-2.

"I called a play that had '14' in it, but it sounded a heck of a lot like '15.' ... You just couldn't hear it. So that stuff was happening a lot, and for him to just still keep his poise, and try to fix things a lot in the game, he kept our guys pretty cool the whole time."

Shanahan confirmed that the difference between '14' and '15' in the play call could have led to an offensive disaster.

"Wrist band No. 15 is a lot different than wrist band No. 14," Shanahan explained. "And you don't really know until they line up there, and it's a pretty big time in the game, and you're also trying to save your timeouts, too. ... I didn't know exactly what [Garoppolo] missed because I didn't know what '15' looked like at the time, but I knew it didn't look like '14' when they lined up.

"Fortunately, we had a timeout, and we [used] it. And then, fortunately, the next play was a good play."

The 49ers may not have to worry about the Superdome noise again this year. With the win, San Francisco will most likely host any 49ers-Saints playoff rematch, should the two teams meet again, at Levi's Stadium.



Facebook Comments



More San Francisco 49ers News


placeholder image

49ers forfeit 2025 5th-round draft pick and have 2024 4th-round pick moved

By David Bonilla
Mar 18

The NFL has reportedly penalized the San Francisco 49ers for payroll accounting errors. The team is losing a fifth-round draft pick in 2025 and having its fourth-round pick in 2024 moved to the end of the round as punishment. Just in: The #49ers are losing a 2025 5th-round pick and will have their 2024 4th-round pick (#131) move to the end of the fourth round because of payroll accounting errors. pic.twitter.com/X8D33mY94A— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate)


placeholder image

49ers assistant coach also suffered torn Achilles during Super Bowl

By David Bonilla
Mar 26

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw is currently rehabilitating after undergoing surgery for the torn Achilles he sustained last month during Super Bowl 58. He'll have a partner in his recovery, as he wasn't the only member of the team to suffer that specific injury. Head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke to reporters on Tuesday morning at the NFL owners meetings and revealed that defensive backs coach Daniel Bullocks also sustained a torn Achilles during the game. "[It occurred] about five minutes after Dre's," Shanahan told reporters. "I think it was when [S] Ji'Ayir [Brown] got the interception, he just jumped up and cheered, very similar to Dre's, and his Achilles went too." Bullocks remained on the sideline and continued coaching throughout the


placeholder image

Saints signing ex-49ers DE Chase Young to a 1-year deal

By David Bonilla
Mar 18

Bleacher Report's Jordan Schultz reports that the New Orleans Saints are signing former Washington Commanders and San Francisco 49ers defensive end Chase Young. He became an unrestricted free agent last week. BREAKING: Free agent pass rusher Chase Young is expected to get a deal with the #Saints, sources tell @BleacherReport.A big time talent finds a new home.


placeholder image

Andy Reid praises 49ers' Brock Purdy, has advice for Kyle Shanahan

By David Bonilla
Mar 25

Super Bowl-winning head coach Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs witnessed all he needed from Brock Purdy last season to assure him that the San Francisco 49ers are in capable hands at the quarterback position. Purdy was an MVP nominee in 2023 and had his 49ers just a play or two away from clinching a Super Bowl victory away from the Chiefs. Unfortunately, for Purdy and the 49ers, Reid and his own quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, widely regarded as the best in the game today, dashed their Super Bowl dreams in overtime last month. According to NBC Sports Bay Area, speaking at the NFL owners meetings on Monday, Reid stated, "Yeah, I


Latest

Trending News

Share 49ersWebzone