San Francisco led 23-7 heading into the fourth quarter, but miscues kept the home-team Cowboys in the game until the end. It took a bizarre final play, with the help of some poor play-calling from Dallas coach Mike McCarthy, to extend the 49ers' season.
After the game, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch went around the locker room, congratulating their players. Then the coach addressed his team.
"I'm at a loss for words," Shanahan said. "I'm exhausted, and I didn't even play. I appreciate you guys so much. All the guys that went down in that game, for you guys to keep going, to lose some of our best players, captains, [it was] big time, man. All the people who weren't here all year who busted their ass to get back for this game, there's no way we could have done that without you guys.
"Guys, we've got a special group, and to go through some of the adversity that we did and still pull it off again, shows you how special that is. But guys, I appreciate everyone here. Love you guys."
After Shanahan spoke, tight end George Kittle gathered his teammates to pump them up for the upcoming week of preparation.
"What a win," Kittle said. "Way to do it all together. Everybody [expletive] stepped up. We have another opportunity next week, and we [expletive] earned it. We [expletive] earned it. Recover. We've got another opportunity at Lambeau, boys."
The 49ers and Packers will kick off at Lambeau Field on Saturday at 5:15 p.m. PT (7:15 p.m. CT).
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
Kyle Shanahan hiring son of 49ers great to coaching staff
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan is adding a familiar name to his coaching staff. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, the 49ers are hiring Roman Sapolu, the son of franchise great Jesse Sapolu. The elder Sapolu was a four-time Super Bowl champion and two-time Pro... -
49ers, Kyle Shanahan lose another top assistant to Titans
As expected, the Tennessee Titans have made a move to hire San Francisco 49ers assistant head coach Gus Bradley, bringing him on as their new defensive coordinator. Titans are hiring 49ers assistant head coach Gus Bradley as their defensive coordinator, per source.... -
49ers' Kyle Shanahan, Fred Warner added to Super Bowl LX pregame show
San Francisco 49ers fans will see two familiar faces during Sunday's Super Bowl LX pregame show on NBC. The network announced that 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner will join the broadcast as guest analysts ahead of the game at Levi's Stadium in... -
Where 49ers' Kyle Shanahan finished in NFL Coach of the Year voting
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan fell short in the voting for the AP NFL Coach of the Year award for the 2025 season. The honor instead went to New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel. The announcement was made during NFL Honors at the Palace of Fine Arts in San...