Leading up to last week, there were still jokes on podcasts and in the media saying, “If Kyle Shanahan gets up 28-3, then what?” Tired, worn out, and not even kind of funny now that we are a couple of years removed from the Atlanta Falcons loss to the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. I was fascinated to see Shanahan the head coach and what he’d have up his sleeve, and he did not disappoint. The San Francisco 49ers came out of the gates aggressive and scored on their first possession, then ran it down the throats of the Minnesota Vikings in the second half to win 27-10.
With that win, Shanahan not only got his first postseason win as a head coach, but that win made him and his dad Mike the second father-son duo in NFL history to win in the postseason as head coaches. The first to do that was the Phillips’ family. Bum Phillips won four playoff games in the 1970s with the Houston Oilers, then his son Wade won one game in 2009 with the Dallas Cowboys. Kyle has a leg up on Wade, who never made it past the divisional round of the playoffs. As a family, the Phillips has five victories in the playoffs as coaches, while the Shanahan’s have nine after the Niners victory Saturday.
Down the line, I can’t wait to see how many coaches come from the Shanahan coaching tree—Kyle’s, that is. We’ve already seen a good portion of coaches get a chance and be successful, but it feels as if it’s just the beginning.
The Pro Football Writers of America voted for their All-NFL team, as well as All-NFC. This comes ten days after the AP released its All-Pro teams for the NFL. George Kittle was voted first-team tight end. He was the only Niner to make the All-NFL team.
The 2019 PFWA All-NFL Team ... pic.twitter.com/Qe1Dn1eLbw
— Pro Football Writers (@PFWAwriters) January 13, 2020
I think it’s awesome that Jones made it at wide receiver because it seems like he’s a victim of voter fatigue. He’s that good, and we found out. Wagner, not so much. That should have gone to Eric Kendricks, in my opinion.
Richard Sherman joined Kittle on the All-NFC team:
The 2019 PFWA All-NFC Team ... pic.twitter.com/zcpj40wGhX
— Pro Football Writers (@PFWAwriters) January 13, 2020
Tough to argue outside of Wagner, but it’s another example of outside linebacker and edge rusher costing actual linebackers a spot on the team.