Kyle Shanahan, 49ers Players Speak to Media Following NFC Championship Game | 49ers
Summary
TLDRThe transcript covers post-game press conferences with the San Francisco 49ers players and coaches after their dramatic comeback victory over the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Championship game. It focuses on quarterback Brock Purdy and how he engineered the second half comeback, the key late defensive stops, George Kittle's thoughts on returning to the Super Bowl, and Brandon Aiyuk's incredible bouncing catch. The team shows its resilience and discusses maintaining belief down 17-0 at halftime to pull off the win in a game that exemplifies the 49ers' toughness and talent.
Takeaways
- 😊 The 49ers came back from a 17-point deficit to beat the Cowboys in the playoffs.
- 👏 George Kittle talked about the team's resilience and refusal to give up.
- ⚽️ Brandon Aiyuk made a clutch diving catch that ignited the 49ers' comeback.
- 🏈 Brock Purdy's scrambling and playmaking energized the 49ers in the second half.
- 👍 Nick Bosa said the defense locked in during halftime to fix mistakes.
- 🔒 The 49ers defense got key fourth down stops to shift momentum.
- 🙌 Kyle Shanahan praised the team's character and "love for each other".
- 🏆 The 49ers are excited for a Super Bowl rematch against the Chiefs.
- 🧠 Fred Warner's high football IQ helped the 49ers dominate on defense.
- 🏟 George Kittle said the home crowd gave the 49ers a major boost.
Q & A
What was the mood of the 49ers players at halftime when they were down 17 points?
-The players were extremely pissed off and focused. Kyle Shanahan said they had too much respect for themselves and the team to go out that way in the first half.
How important was the fourth down stop by the 49ers defense in the third quarter?
-The fourth down stop was huge in shifting momentum. It prevented the Lions from extending their lead and gave the 49ers offense an opportunity to cut into the deficit.
What sparked the 49ers comeback in the second half?
-A few key plays ignited the comeback - Brandon Aiyuk's clutch 25-yard catch, the turnover forced by Gipson, and Brock Purdy's scrambling for big gains. This shifted momentum fully in the 49ers' favor.
How did Brock Purdy perform in bringing the team back from a 17-point deficit?
-Purdy made big plays with his legs, converting key first downs. He kept drives going and competed fiercely. His scrambling was a major factor in the comeback.
What makes the 49ers so resilient in playoff games?
-The 49ers have strong team chemistry and care deeply about each other. They have a core group used to adversity, which allows them to bounce back when faced with challenges.
How did the 49ers feel about matching up with the Chiefs in the Super Bowl?
-They have great respect for the Chiefs as a team and organization. But after falling just short the past few years, the 49ers are extremely excited and determined to seize this opportunity.
What did Brandon Aiyuk say about the 49ers starting slow the past two playoff games?
-He credited their opponents for having good game plans early on. But he emphasized the 49ers' ability to figure things out at halftime and dominate in the second half.
What has George Kittle learned from losing in the last two NFC title games?
-He is focusing on what he can control - working harder in the offseason physically and mentally to put himself in a position to succeed.
How did Nick Bosa try to rally the defense at halftime?
-He was screaming random things to fire up his teammates, telling them to just do their jobs, take away the QB's first read, and the defense would start getting pressure and stops.
Why does George Kittle think overcoming 17-point deficits in the playoffs will help them?
-It creates an urgent sense that they have things to tighten up and prepares them better mentally for the challenges they'll face against a great Chiefs team in the Super Bowl.
Outlines
🏈 Halftime Reflections and Turning the Tide
The speaker discusses the team's mindset during halftime, facing a 17-point deficit with a sense of hope given they were to start with the ball in the third quarter. Despite the discouraging first half, the narrow margin of the deficit was seen as an opportunity for a comeback. The team's determination in the third quarter, marked by a field goal, a crucial fourth-down stop, and a touchdown, quickly shifted the game's momentum. Key plays, including a long catch and a defensive turnover, played pivotal roles in evening the score by the end of the third quarter, setting a renewed tone for the final quarter.
🔥 Post-Game Reflections and Super Bowl Aspirations
Reflecting on the post-game atmosphere, the speaker highlighted the exhaustion and difficulty in delivering a speech due to the presence of families and the limitation on language. Despite the challenges, the message was one of pride in the team's character, grit, and mutual support observed over the past two weeks. The importance of the team's resilience and the anticipation of facing a formidable opponent in the Super Bowl were underscored, acknowledging both the talent and the historical context of their upcoming adversaries.
🌟 Player Perspectives on Performance and Team Dynamics
The speaker offered insights into individual and team performances, emphasizing the importance of scrambling plays by the quarterback in the second half and the critical role of such plays in the game's outcome. The narrative also touched upon the team's ability to rally from behind, dispelling myths about the team's resilience. The discussion included reflections on the interception, the collective mindset during the game, and the significance of a specific explosive play that shifted momentum.
🏆 Celebrating Victory and Anticipating the Super Bowl
The narrative captures the euphoria and relief post-victory, emphasizing the contrast between the game's challenging moments and the ultimate triumph. The speaker reflects on the journey from injury to playing a pivotal role in a championship game, underscoring personal growth and the significance of team effort in overcoming adversity. The anticipation of facing a renowned opponent in the Super Bowl is discussed, highlighting the respect for the opposing team's capabilities and the excitement for the rematch.
🛡️ Defensive Strategies and Halftime Adjustments
The focus shifts to the defensive strategy and the adjustments made during halftime to counter the opponent's offensive plays. The discussion includes the team's approach to stopping the run, the importance of gap discipline, and the specific challenges faced in the first half. The narrative also covers the defensive team's halftime review and the strategic changes implemented to improve performance in the second half.
💥 Key Plays and Momentum Shifts
This section delves into the critical moments that changed the game's momentum, including significant catches, defensive stops, and strategic decisions. The narrative highlights the importance of explosive plays, the impact of successful fourth-down stops, and the emotional lift provided by these pivotal moments. The speaker also reflects on the broader strategy and team dynamics that contributed to the comeback.
🔙 Reflecting on Comebacks and Team Resilience
The narrative explores the team's mindset and resilience, particularly when faced with a significant halftime deficit. The emphasis is on the collective determination to not succumb to the pressure and to rally back into the game. The discussion includes reflections on past experiences, the importance of maintaining focus and aggression, and the psychological aspects of staging a successful comeback.
🌪️ Defensive Turnaround and Post-Game Thoughts
This section examines the defensive improvements in the second half, contributing to the team's comeback. It includes player reflections on the game's emotional rollercoaster, the strategic adjustments made, and the significance of specific defensive plays. The narrative also touches on the personal and team growth experienced throughout the season, leading up to this pivotal moment.
🎉 Victory Celebrations and Looking Ahead
The closing paragraphs capture the joy and celebration following the victory, alongside preparations for the Super Bowl. The speaker reflects on the team's journey, the emotional significance of the win, and the anticipation of facing a familiar foe in the championship game. The narrative conveys a sense of accomplishment, unity, and forward-looking optimism as the team prepares for the final challenge of the season.
🏁 Final Reflections and Super Bowl Expectations
The narrative concludes with player reflections on the victory's significance.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡comeback
💡momentum
💡resiliency
💡leadership
💡playoffs
💡defense
💡super bowl
💡scoring
💡mindset
💡brotherhood
Highlights
The team's determination to overcome a 17-point deficit at halftime, showing resilience and hope for a comeback.
A critical field goal early in the third quarter provided a glimmer of hope despite not being sufficient.
Defensive efforts led to a pivotal stop on fourth down, followed by a touchdown that significantly shifted momentum.
An impactful turnover by the defense further narrowed the score gap, demonstrating the team's ability to capitalize on opportunities.
By the end of the third quarter, the game was tied, showcasing a remarkable comeback effort.
A long catch that changed the game's dynamics, emphasizing the importance of seizing key moments.
The halftime focus on offensive and defensive adjustments to counter the opponent's strategies.
Quarterback's mobility and scrambling ability played a crucial role in the second half, leading to key first downs and maintaining drive momentum.
The team's ability to come back from a significant deficit challenged the narrative around their previous performances in similar situations.
Preparation for the Super Bowl against a team that had previously defeated them, highlighting the significance of redemption and strategic planning.
An exhausted but proud team celebration, underscoring the collective effort and emotional investment in the victory.
The significant role of a key catch in maintaining the team's momentum, illustrating the importance of individual contributions to the team's success.
Adjustments made during halftime to address weaknesses in stopping the run, showcasing the team's ability to adapt and improve.
The emotional and strategic response to being down by 17 points, highlighting the team's resilience and determination.
The quarterback's perspective on making crucial plays under pressure, reflecting on the fine line between risk and reward in game-changing moments.
The team's character and brotherhood were pivotal in the comeback, emphasizing the role of team dynamics in overcoming challenges.
Transcripts
or was it just to maintain focus at
halftime when nothing was going right
for you guys um I mean you no you had no
other choice I mean it was nice that we
were starting out with the ball in the
third so it gave us some hope in that
way um and also it being a 17-point game
was encouraging because it looked like
it should have been worse uh that's
definitely how it felt that's how the
numbers looked um but we were only down
17 which that's not too much but you got
to start playing a lot better in order
for that not to be too much and came out
in the third quarter and
um we finished with a field goal
definitely thought that wasn't uh enough
but then I think our D stopped him on a
fourth down the next time then we got a
touchdown then I want to say the next
Drive was the turnover and then just
like that it was just three three drives
and I think by the end of the third it
was a tie game and then I was like all
right it's first quarter again but it's
the fourth let's
start's C auk's long catch and and how
did that sort of just change change
things for you guys uh I mean they had
that safety sit in the middle of the
field Brock did an awesome job
recognizing it we had Debo on a Crossing
route and that safety cut it and Brock
made the right read and just launched it
but the corner did an awesome job
staying on top I mean the safety cuts
and that means there's no one in the
middle but the corner was aware of it so
he stayed on top um I was worried that
um for it to be a pick when it's like
that Brock makes the right read but then
he launches it and ba just did a hell of
a job going up for it um so it wasn't
going to be a pick and then he came down
with a catch which was huge I was never
able to see whether he was down or not
they said was so um it's great we
punched it in later what did that play
do for you guys you know just toite
things um I mean anytime you get a big
explosive one like that it makes it a
lot easier we we felt we could go on
drives we we just had to get it going we
I think we had four in the first half I
want to say we scored on two of them had
a pick on one and um and then punted on
the other and I mean credit to their
defense I mean they mix things up they
play really hard um we thought if we
could get it going and make it a game on
both sides it would be a matter of time
before we could score some points but
the way their offense was going their
defense doing a couple things to get us
off the field um but once ba made that
play it kind of unlocked it with such an
explosive and and kind of unlocked the
whole team because right after getting
that turnover that I believe Gip forced
um that was huge and right after that
you could feel the whole momentum with
our players on our sideline in the
stadium kind of flip and um you felt it
was on after that why did you took so
hard in the first half to stop the run
what what did you see from um I mean we
knew they were a good running team going
in
um but it only takes a couple guys I
mean we had a couple eight man fronts
and um there's definitely two that I saw
that we got one guy out of a gap and
when that happens you get right to that
middle third player and I mean that's 15
at the best and then they they had a
good real good call on that reverse that
was probably their best look that they
got us in um but we had a couple missed
tackles a couple guys out of gaps and it
was um it's hard to win like that um but
the guys tightened it up there in the
second half and got it done did you talk
about it halftime what adjustments did
you want to make heading into the second
half
um we just go over or we come up with
eight plays to go over with the offense
and how we're going to start it out and
go with them and the defense goes and
they all meet and they break up and they
talk about all their stuff from
positions and um then we just pulled
them up before and so guys it's it's
only 17 points been a lot of football
games where you're down 17 points or
starting with the ball um it's that's
that's plenty of time to come back
plenty of points to come back but
regardless of any of that stuff we're
not going out like this we got to be a
lot more aggressive here in the second
half and um in everything we do um
offensively defensively special teams um
I thought we switched up a little bit
more tightened up on some things um with
some pressure some man coverage and um
the guys didn't want today to be the
last day and we put oursel in a hole but
they played like it in the second half
and we're able to get the ball to bounce
the right way and we made up for what we
did in the first half Brock scrambling
what's that Brock scram bling in the
second half how big how big of impact
was that for you guys I me thought it
was the difference between winning and
losing um he made some big plays with
his legs um getting out of the pocket
moving the chains and some first downs
getting some explosives he competed his
ass off today and wasn't easy for any of
us but uh he kept grinding and was
unbelievable there in the second half
have heard people talk about colan teams
don't come back they have to play up
front Rock P can't come back does that
strike you in this moment and what you
you know like hey that's over now in
your mind um I mean that's up to you
guys to decide I never I never thought
it had started and and
I mean coached a long time guys play a
long time I get some of those
circumstances but I've never felt like
we didn't have a team who could come
back or win a game like that um just had
to do it today when it mattered the most
what are your add questions Kyle of
going to be going to the Super Bowl
playing the team that beat you there
four years ago um I haven't had a lot of
time to think about that you I didn't
watch any of their game um wasn't sure
who woned until someone told me right
before we went out but it's I mean
they're hell of a te team they got a
hell of a coach hell of a quarterback
hell of a defense uh haven't got to see
him much this year just cuz we haven't
had a lot of crossover tape but we
already have a pretty good idea how it's
going to look I mean they've been doing
it for a while and um since since we met
them in 19 it seems like they've been
there every year since and we've been
trying really hard to get back to that
moment we've been close a number of
times and this time we got it done and
going spend these two weeks to prepare
and make sure it's a hell of a game what
was your message in there after the game
to the team um not a very good one I was
exhaust Ed it took for everyone so long
to get in then it was really hard to
talk cuz everyone had their family and
kids in there and I struggled to talk
when I can't use all the words I want to
use um but it was my my message I was
just so proud of the guys I mean these
last two weeks I mean we've had some
talented teams um we have we do have a
talented team right now um but that just
the character and the GD of the guys
there I mean you could see it on their
faces at half time I've seen I could see
it on them all week our guys got a lot
of love for each other and um every year
when the season's over it's always a new
team the next year regardless of how
many times people return I mean how many
people return and our guys didn't want
this to be the last day and we had to
really fight for it to make that happen
but we pulled it off and couldn't be
more proud of the
group not usually obviously known for
his legs do you think there's any
element to surprise at how efficient and
productive he was with that no I think
Brock's been scrambling and making plays
ever since we got him in and all you got
to do is go back to the first game
versus Miami and Brock makes a lot of
plays with his legs did it in college
too um makes a lot of off schedules so
and thought it looked like how Brock
looks every time he plays was Christian
okay at the end of the game there is he
dealing something uh yeah I think he got
I mean he said he got like a little bit
of stinger when he went down there I
mean that's just what his words were he
had to come out for a play and I know
Elijah went in there and scored but I
know at the end Christian was good to go
back Dan Campbell's obviously know known
for taking risks and going forward on
fourth down how big was it a swig and
momentum when you were able to stop stop
him on that fourth and two oh it was
huge I mean both of them I mean to make
it a three-score game and us to be able
to hold it to two scores especially the
way the game was going I mean I felt
like we kind of blew it when we started
out with the ball and we didn't get a
touchdown and we got three points so um
for us to hold him there and them not to
get any points which you stop them on
fourth down really look at that almost
the same as a turnover so um that was
huge by us today and but I mean this you
liveing die with that stuff it would
have been it would have been really hard
to deal with it if they moved the chains
on that fourth and two also so um that's
why everything comes down to certain
plays and what happens in those plays
you got to live
with is that how you practiced it pretty
much uh I mean that that definitely is
the read when middle third safety cuts
um the high cross that's where the
ball's supposed to go uh last time he
did that I think was versus Arizona um
at home I think it was like week five or
something and he did it again they cut
they threw it to ba but the corner was
on top and ba went up and made a hell of
a catch and it's really almost exactly
what happened to day too I mean when
they cut usually The Middle's open but
the corner was disciplined and stayed on
top so you couldn't run by him and but
Brock read the defense gave ba a shot
and um ba made him right just going back
to the fourth shorts by d k you already
explained it but were you shocked just
given the situation that he decided to
go for it instead of opting for the
field goals uh not really I mean I think
that's pretty that's how they've done it
most of the year and I think that's one
of the reasons why they were here so
like I
mean
[Music]
you win a lot of games making some of
those decisions and then you make some
decisions and you lose them I mean I
don't think it always comes down to that
there's lots of plays that happen in the
game but I mean that's a decision that
we all have to make and um doesn't
surprise me because he's made a lot of
those decisions um throughout the year
that have won them a lot of games also
what sense did you get from your players
was it calm even when you're down 17 was
it a little virgy what what mood did you
get from those guys as this was starting
oh I think we were just pissed off I
think guys were extremely pissed I mean
that that first half wasn't just that we
were down by 17 it was the way we were
down um they were kind of having their
way in the Run game um we weren't
getting much in our Run game either and
we don't want to go out like that we
didn't know how we dug oursel in a big
hole but I wasn't just talking about how
to win this game I was talking about how
to start playing right U we got to we
got too much respect for our team and um
I just that would have that would have
been a real rough way to end it if if we
could have played better with with our
group and that's why I was so proud of
the guys they didn't they didn't really
care about anything except finding a way
to win and you could see it on their
faces you could see it at halftime and
you could see it in that third quarter
and you could see it all the way to the
end of the game
extraordin thoughts on a Super Bowl 54
rematch um none I'm excited that we're
going there um H happy for the Chiefs
too um I'm going to have a lot of fun
tonight probably with my family and
everything and come in a little bit slow
motion tomorrow and um figure out all
the Super Bowl tickets all the traveling
and stuff that takes a lot of time for
the players and their families and uh
the coaches will start getting to go on
Kansas City while they do all that and
probably give the guys a couple days off
and then we'll get to our game plan and
practicing either by Wednesday or
Thursday Fred Warner's been good all
year but he had an extraordinary game
tonight uh what's your your thoughts of
of Fred tonight Fred um I mean Fred
played like to me like a NFL defensive
MVP I mean he's played at that level to
me I mean he does every year and there's
always a group of guys who can deserve
it but um Fred is always one of those
guys and you know um you you hope when
you have players like that they do it in
these type of games and U Fred did and
that's one of the reasons we're still
playing last one I just going to ask why
do you anticipate being in slow motion
tomorrow morning because you guys won't
let me get out of here I'm getting real
no it's um I know guys are gonna have
some fun tonight and you know you do
have two weeks and we're going to have
meeting with all the ticket guys and
stuff and so we'll put it off a little
bit longer uh lots of families in there
and stuff so let the guys sleep in a
little bit for treatment but uh we'll
still get our work in all right guys be
next all right guys
thanks
you made a number of plays scrambling
tonight the most we've seen you scramble
in some ways you that does that kind of
Define who you are as a
player um yeah I mean obviously my job
is to distribute the ball to guys that
are open um and then you know if
something's not there especially in this
kind of game it's like you know you got
to find a way so um I feel like
throughout my life I've scrambled and
stuff here and there but um you know
since I've been here I feel like I
haven't done a whole lot um but
obviously tonight something wasn't there
I was just trying to keep the chains
moving keep the ball moving forward um
and then obviously give our team some
momentum and some juice so um I had to
do it so I had I did it and yeah what
was your what was your view of the
Brandon catch and and how it all
unfolded and and what did that do for
you guys just in terms of jolt yeah I
mean obviously to have an explosive play
like that um was huge in that moment we
needed it to get down the field pretty
quick and you know we were still down I
think two touchdowns so um in that
moment it was it was like all right
here's a shot here's an opportunity for
BA um it was a single high safety you
know didn't get back or anything he sort
of stayed flat footed and you know in
our offense in that play it's like you
can you know expect your receiver to to
get on top and trust him and so Corner
did a good job with actually staying on
top and and then tipped it up ba did a
great job with
um just tracking the ball all the way
and and making a huge play for us man so
he's a baller um that was was clutch on
his part that was almost team when you
were down 17 when you down by so much at
happen I mean yeah no one was raah RA no
one was freaking out it was just it's
football I feel like there's a lot of
experienced guys on this team veterans
that have you know been in Crazy
situations and and so everyone was like
right we just got to do our job straight
up like the offense has to move the ball
we got to put up points convert on third
Downs um defense get some stops for for
us and that was really about it there
wasn't really much said Kyle said a
couple things Fred said a couple things
but we kept it simple and so went out we
all knew what we had to do season on the
line we're down 17 so um I think
everybody stepped up and when we played
really good complimentary team football
from there could have been obviously an
interception to VA um do you consider
the fine line of like dude pry through a
horrible pass and no pry through this
pass that changed the game yeah I mean
in that moment I'm looking at it like
you know we need a we need a play I'm
not going to be stupid and just throw
the ball up but you know ba is
one-on-one so I'm going to take I'm
going to take that op and especially in
this kind of game U we need that kind of
play um yeah so people can say what they
want but I was giving my guy a shot and
it worked out so much of the Year people
have said last week this week you guys
seem to do well with your backs against
the wall what does that say about the
resilien yeah I mean it's just the
character man the the love the
Brotherhood it's real you know it's the
NFL I guess you could say it's a
business but but you know guys care
about each other in this locker room and
and what we've been through and um we
got a core group of guys that have been
here for the last couple years and and
the standard and culture that they've
built um and then the guys that Kyle and
John brings in like everyone fits that
mold and um you know it showed tonight
in a huge Moment Like if you're down 17
you got to care about each other you got
to love each other to to get a comeback
going and so I think we showed that
tonight and I'm really proud of this
group what happened on the
interception yeah stepped up it wasn't
the look that you know we really thought
we were going to get get um I went to
try to rip one to to Debo over the
middle um from what I can remember
there's a hand that that hit my hand and
the ball got tipped and flirted up to
the linebacker what did it feel like in
that moment when you're out there you
know celebrating with your teammates
when the clock hit zero yeah it's huge
um obviously just the feeling of of you
know Redemption coming back um it's huge
man and and for all of us to what we
went through I guess last year this
whole year has been crazy you go through
highs you go through lows and even in
this game Seasons online you're down 17
and then to to see the the clock hit
zero and you're up it's special to all
of us and so obviously we have one more
job's not finished but um I'm just I
can't tell you guys how proud I am of
the team to fight do you feel the
momentum start to Shi when they went for
it on Fourth and two and didn't make it
and can you just talk about kind of feel
in the stadium yeah I mean you could
definitely feel it like everybody knew
we were all trying to get back into it
and so when the defense got a stop like
that obviously the stadium erupted and
then everyone on on offense when we're
jogging out there we were like all right
it's it's our time you know this is the
m momentum that we've been looking for
um our team created that as a whole and
so as an offense like we got to do our
part and and pick up the defense after
they just got that stopped so um we all
felt it the way your with the way your
season ended last year what's it like to
be able to come out and perform like you
did in in an N NFC Championship game
yeah I mean honestly this was just like
the next game up um you know you look
back a year ago got hurt which sucked
and then you go through the whole rehab
process all of it it's been a long year
but at the same time it's been pretty
quick and so uh for me I've just try to
enjoy every single day enjoy these guys
enjoy the wins enjoy honestly the lows
that come with it you got to learn from
that kind of stuff and um you know
obviously to pull a comeback like that
in the NFC championship and play um it
it was was special for me so like I said
we still got one more to go but um to
have a performance like that like we did
as a team it was huge regard always
going to remember that early thoughts on
the Chiefs facing catrick Mahomes yeah I
mean what a challenge you know you got
um Mahomes and what he does and their
team they're special man um they're
winners you know they've proven that
over however many years he's been there
um so for us to be able to to go back
and play them it's going to be sweet
it's going to be special for all of us
and uh you know I wasn't here obviously
in 19 but from just like you can just
tell the guys that have been here like
if anybody that be it' be special for
them to play these guys so I'm excited
to be a part of it
on the thr I did you immediately there
was a flag there he made this diving
catch did you immediately know that's a
catch I'm sorry on what play the throw
to IU deep throw to IU there was a flag
and you know was like did he catch it I
mean did you immediately know that's a
catch or was there some confusion on
your part um yeah I saw the flag go up
for sure but um and then I heard the
whole stadium erupt and I see ba you
know curled up around the ball and I was
oh my gosh he caught that so after that
you know we're all jogging down down I'm
like dang and then we're all trying to
figure out if he scored or not and got
touched so but uh when I saw him catch
that I was like that that's insane so at
the end of the day I was like just try
like I said trying to give him an OP man
it's one-on-one huge game we need a big
play and explosive here's one of our our
best receiver to go down and and make a
a clutch play for us so yeah how did
your personal Journey over the last
couple years get you ready for not only
this game but the second half in
particular I mean you come from you know
Rel of nowhere uh to be now the third
youngest player quarterback to ever
started a Super Bowl game like how did
that Journey get you ready for yeah it's
uh like honestly I think it's just a
testament to God and where he's taken me
in life um I've never been the biggest
the fastest or strongest or any of that
um I feel like I've always sort of had
to fight for what I get and work for
what I get um but God's always given me
an opportunity whether that was in high
school college and then obviously in the
NFL getting dra drafted last people you
know Overlook you and all that kind of
stuff and then all you need is an
opportunity and when watch and see what
he does you know I put my faith and
trust in him and he's gotten me where
I'm at so um when I'm down 17 at half
honestly I'm just like thinking like all
right God you've taken me here and um
win or lose I'm going to glorify you and
and uh that's my peace that's the joy
that's the the steadfastness that's
where I get it from and that's the
honest truth so I I leaned into that and
sure enough we were able to come back
all right thank you guys thanks
guys
said that the kind of mood from you guys
was when you're down 17 half time is
kind of mad you're angry you got to that
point what would you say your mood was
at that moment I think everybody was
pretty focused um you know we knew we
didn't start the way we wanted to but
it's why football's for quarters and uh
we knew we had the guys that if we were
going to do it we got the guys that can
make it happen and um just so proud to
be a part of this group showed a lot of
resilience this week last week and uh
yeah just pumped
up what do you say about Brock birie and
the way he was able to just engineer
that comeback in the second half man I I
have I don't have you know enough good
things to say about Brock you know he's
all he's done since he's been here uh is
play at an elite level and everything
starts with him
um and I'm just really we're lucky he's
our quarterback you know I mean he takes
a lot of heat for absolutely no reason
you know all he's done has been a great
leader been a great player and um so
proud of him and um pumped up that I get
another one with him this year is there
a moment in your mind something happen
hey this really is going to happen is
there a specific moment you think you
you thought that you know it's so hard
when when it's live and and you're in it
because you know the only thing you're
really focused on is the next play and
so um you know you you don't really feel
a lot of the emotions that maybe people
in the stands do because you're just
locked into doing your assignment so um
and I think that's why uh we
orchestrated a pretty good comeback
because everybody was just focused on
doing right longer and that's something
we say all the time is just do right
longer and um I thought we showed that
tonight you start to feel that emotion
do you start to feel it when the clock
hits zero and you can hug your teammates
yeah I mean it's it's always tough
because you never know you know I've
seen enough games that you know a lot of
things can happen at the the end there
and when it hits zero that's when you
just you're just kind of flooded with
emotions and um you know I think a lot
comes in at you at once but there's
always that thing in the back of your
head that we got another one when
Brandon makes that catch in the second
half there one that bounc out in the air
did you get a good view of that was your
sense of how important that was to maybe
kind of give you guys a spark there yeah
I was I was one of the coolest catches
I've ever seen a huge spark um now
that's what ba does man he made a play
when it counted and and uh really set us
up for a lot of momentum feel like the
first half when you it must felt like
you running into a wall you and the team
yeah that's a really good defense really
good run defense so for us it was just
about um continuing to Chip Away uh you
know you never know which one can be the
one to break but um as long as we're
physical you know guys were blocking all
night and um you know sometimes those
two three yard runs can be pretty
beneficial to a drive so so um like I
said we just wanted to make it about
next play mentality and uh you know just
sticking to the script you scor the ti
touchdown in the third quarter course
did you sense that this thing was going
to go your guys way or did it take until
that 25 yard run down to the three I
think the same feeling that you have
when you're down 17 or whatever it was
is the same feeling you have when you
tie it you know you know there's a lot
of football left and obviously you're
excited and um I think our team does
really well when momentum's on our side
but it's just next play mentality still
even even then because uh it's playoff
football it's NFC Championship game um
Anything Could Happen what was going on
physically U and how difficult was it to
get out the lineup there and see uh
Elijah you know take the cross the go
line yeah I just uh I had my shoulder
felt a little weird and I just didn't
want to not be able to grip the ball
especially in a crucial time like that
um and Mitch is unbelievable so he goes
in there and gets a touchdown I mean I
was happy and proud of him and uh our
whole team but that's you know I didn't
care at all I mean as we scored that's
all I cared about this was the the
biggest comeback uh this team's come
back from since you've been on the team
why uh do you think you were able to do
that and and the game didn't get away
from you uh like it has in some other
scenarios where it played out like this
uh I just think we have a really
resilient group that's been through a
lot together and um with a lot of
experience and I think when you've gone
through uh hard times I look back a year
ago and and what happened in Philly um
you know it kind of it hardens you and
it and it makes your team a lot closer
and so when you get in these moments and
you know how crucial every single play
is um it allows you guys to all focus on
what's most important and that's going
out and executing so I was just proud of
our
teames and the Chiefs Super Bowl yeah
that's obviously a great team um great
defense guys that fly around I haven't
watched you know obviously any yet um
but be big challenge uh on a big stage
and we're excited about
it was the shoulder did that turn out to
be a sort of a nerve Stinger thing um I
don't know I'm not a doctor but I feel
fine now yeah all right thanks thanks
guys hey Brandon are you
what was going through your head on that
catch and were you surprised at all that
you I was surprised
um I felt like the look before um pre-
snap I had a chance to get the ball but
they was just on
top I don't even
know did you have a sense of how big
that catch was in terms of maybe just a
spark or something that ignited kind of
your sideline after that play uh we
definitely felt moment with we came out
after
half uh got Debo going with like back to
back plays and the third play got the
momentum going just got the fire nighted
a little bit um got to move the ball we
felt the energy and then to finish off
with seven points we were just uh happy
with that cuz we knew what we could do
and where we could take it you're
probably aware of the talk that 49ers
always can't come back they don't you
know Kyle shanan teams don't record you
know when they're down what do you feel
about that right now that's back toback
weeks
uh with wins that we weren't supposed to
have apparently um but just two goody
wins two wins that just show you the
type of team that we have um the mindset
the will the heart that everybody
has I realize it's it's just a split
second thing but I was that was almost
an interception and then it's bouncing
to you I mean the emotion are there
emotions in the moment or you just
reacting to what's happening yeah it's
just bang bang like you don't really
realize until afterwards even still now
um I just finally got to my phone but uh
in a moment just playing football just
whistle to whistle so when you look at
it on on on your phone you're like wow
that's crazier than I thought it was
yeah that was
late as big as that play was it wouldn't
have meant anything if you didn't scor
that touchdown uh third and goal from a
six take us through that play just how
big was that to finish that off
that was big I felt like I scored I was
looking to the sideline uh after the
first catch feeling like like just like
that was a touchdown U but KY was like n
Hank was like Noah Debo trying to pull
me back into the Huddle cuz I was I was
like that was touchdown I was trying to
get a touchdown U but they came back to
me and we got a
touchdown Brandon it was uh you know
back to back weeks you guys did get
behind is is there um you know a reason
for that is that something you feel like
you guys got to solve you know for the
Chiefs in the Super Bowl and just your
thoughts on that for sure definitely is
for sure credit to those guys they came
out um I haven't watched the tape yet
but uh they they had a good they had a
good plan coming out um and credit to
our guys in the second half figuring out
um how to go get after those guys um we
felt in the first half that we had a
chance to get after him but we just
wasn't standing on the field a little
stuff here and there um and then the
defense pretty much a shut out in the
second half so team effort one more hey
Brandon after failing in the NFC Title
Games the past two years and then to get
over the hump this time how can you put
that in
perspective just a bunch of fun so much
fun uh our third time with the with
these group of guys some people's fourth
time um we were just working working
working praying hoping for a
breakthrough um and we got it today all
right thanks appreciate
it how hype are you when Brock scra was
for a b man it's just amazing cuz uh I
don't think too many people knows how
fast and Elusive Brock is until he get
the running uh I think I kind of messed
up one his touchdown trying to get a
lead block and he ran right into me and
bounced off but uh I feel like if I
would have made that block he probably
would have
scored your thought process after you
guys are down you know so big you're
down 247 to the half I'm sure you guys
didn't feel like you your season was
over but was there any concern at all at
that point um I don't think it was any
concern we just knew what we had to go
out here and do uh the second half and
that was the score points and defense
had to get off the field and and you
know starting the U third quarter off
with you know three points and then G
made a big play in the fumble we go down
and score and then just a CH of events
you know what made this that win so
emotional for
you uh I mean this my fifth year and uh
been the one Super Bowl and that was my
rookie year and these past couple years
you know we kind of fell short at you
know the NFC Championship what a
coincidence last year you know we lose
Brock but the year before that you know
we just lose the game and you know we
down 17 and a half and it's just like
whatever is it going to take for us to
get this win and we went out there and
did it you ever lose Faith oh no not at
all how different do you feel just as
your on your journey as an NFL player
now that you've been in the league for
so many years reaching the Super Bowl
again um I don't only just want to reach
it I want to win it um and that's the
goal and you know that's what we've been
set out to do uh since the beginning of
the year first fourth down stop did you
feel like that was the momentum changer
where you had a chance to win at that
point oh yeah um like I said our defense
in the second half have kind of really
was a out they came out and you
know coach wils came to halftime and Co
and Coach K came in halftime it's like
yo man it's time to man up trying to get
stops and it was time for the offense to
do what we do did you get a look at
Brandon's catch um either on replay on
the board no I seen it live uh cuz I
seen I seen the guy cut the high the
high cross that I was running and I just
look up and Brock cut it loose and I see
the DB dropped the ball and I'm just
like and then I see Brandon catch it I'm
like I'm thinking he scored and then we
getting in the huddle
Brandon looking at KY like he just said
and and hang like no touchdown and I'm
like bro get in the H we got to run
another play but it was a crazy play
that he made
couple when it hits zero on the clock
what goes through your head we going to
Super
Bowl
yeah a lot of um chatter between you and
CJ G Talk the whole week just seeing you
know the personal follow the game just
how does feel this hey man you got to
get me when I'm looking that's the only
way you going to get
me any else all right thanks
you
this no no can I hold it yeah
put I know I shouldn't say anything was
on your mind down 17 team played real
well I was just trying to Galvanize the
group and um there's so much football
left uh we could score really quick on
offense we just need to get off the
field so we could get our offense
rolling how do you try to Galvanize the
group in that moment just just trying
and tell everybody do your job that's
all we need to do is do your 111
and uh in that first half there was
breakdowns one guy each time obviously
it's hard for me to know exactly what's
going on but you just got to do your job
and this defense is as talented as it
gets so that was that was it know that
Dan Campbell does like to go for a lot
and fourth did you expect that fourth
down try and what did it mean to get it
I kind of saw him saying we're going
we're going so I was like here we
go big a turning point was that in huge
the first one yeah huge I think that was
the Turning Point um and just getting GF
off the spot kind of making them
uncomfortable back there we knew we
finally had a quarterback is going to be
be on that spot
often um so yeah how much do you PR of
game time that you scor 17 points to tie
the game did did it feel that quick and
once you get there how good do you feel
about your chances in that when it was
tied I honestly just block out
everything that's going on offensively
um and just try and keep everybody even
ke I think uh my guy Sherm taught me
that um you can't get too high when our
offense is doing great because you know
you got to go out there and do do your
job first that was that discouraging for
you guys embarrassing how'd you feel it
was embarrassing yeah it was
embarrassing kind of felt helpless um
and we we didn't want to go down as
failures and we know our defense is way
too good to play like that you talk to
more than your position group did you
talk to other guys linebackers secondary
yeah I kind of just I was on the ground
with a heat pack on my back just scream
scaming random things trying to get
people can you give us one example of
one of the random things you screamed
not that random but um I was just like
there's so much football left we made a
couple adjustments I said just take that
first read away and we're getting home
and uh and our guys did it Nick is there
a lot of pressure when you enter the
playoffs as a seed and you're playing at
home you feel that pressure that you
pretty much have to get through or like
you said I mean is an
embarrassment I wouldn't say it's an
embarrassment to lose it's just an
embarrassment as a defense of how they
were just going right down the field um
but yeah playoff football is there's not
one moment where I feel comfortable out
there even back in 19 Kyle showed some
of that a couple weeks ago and um we
were killing them and I knew Aaron
Rogers was on the other side so there
was no oh we got this it was four
quarters we got to end
it perspective how different than 2019
see it from an emotion perspective how
is this different than
2019 uh we just kind of rolled in 2019
and I was a rookie so I I didn't know
what was going on I just thought this is
how it goes um but the the way we did it
the past two weeks um I think there was
a stat with Kyle not coming back um
after being down and I think it's it's a
testament to our group that we're able
to battle back and you got to do stuff
like that to have a special season think
the match up ni knowing that you're GNA
be facing the Chiefs the team that beat
you guys four years ago on there it's
perfect it's perfect and there is great
as an organization coach quarterback as
there is and they were down not looking
great this year either and they're
playing their best ball now so it's
going to be a big challenge a couple
more Nick you talk about 2019 how you're
a rookie then so now you've developed as
a player you also mentioned that you
never let down like every minute every
second of the game you kind of were like
just waiting for that final minute can
you walk us through the difference
between then and now and how it felt
when that clock finally hit zero then
and now when was then as a person now
like how different it is it from back
then to now how you develop as a player
just uh just being a leader um and the
relationships that we've uh built
throughout the years um I just want to
do everything I can for the guys I
want the most for Kyle I want the most
for Chris I want the most for all of our
de line guys I want the most for
everybody so um I'm just trying to leave
it all out there as far as um getting
the number one seed as early as you guys
did Looking Back Now I mean do you do
you think that that disrupted your
momentum at all you had to sort of get
back after I think we weren't playing
our best ball towards the end there I
think we kind of got up for those big
games that we really wanted to make a
statement but um but there's aot lot of
holes in what we were doing and and we
weren't executing great down the
stretch um and I attributed it a lot to
just a long season stuff happens you're
not going to play your best ball through
the whole year but um I think these two
games we got through them and um and now
we kind of understand what needs to be
done on those big place in the second
half did you feel Levi Stadium Shake is
in the Press Box we could kind of fil
him in the earthquake yeah Levi Stadium
were they pumping noise in
there I mean before the game it was it
felt like uh New Orleans super is it
Super Dome like for an outdoor stadium
to be that loud and honestly I'm not
paying attention to anything like when
we score I'm grabbing my helmet like
taking some deep breaths hitting a
smelling salt and getting ready to go
all right thanks thank you
howdy how would you say this maybe the
biggest comeback win you guys have had
maybe since you've been the
ner
um what' you ask would you say it's like
the biggest comeback you guys have you
exper literally I think so yeah do you
want me to comment on that all right you
got to give me a better question dog
figure way to say it how how to pra it
because it's such a crazy comeback I'm a
little tired right now yeah uh it was I
mean that's a cool thing about football
you know if you just keep trying and
your team comes together make a couple
stops on defense hit field goals when
you need to hit field goals and then
your offense starts to execute your guys
make big plays I've been saying all year
we have a very talented football team
and you know there's been times where um
you know we weren't firing in all
cylinders and for us to be able to you
know kind of Bunker down hunker down and
start to fire in all cylinders I mean
that's what you see you know an
explosive offense a very talented
defense that flies around and hits
people causes turnovers and then our
special teams make plays when they need
to George with the history that you guys
have of losing twice in the NFC
Championship Game to be down in this
game what does it take to remain focused
and still believe that you can win I
mean we have a vet group we have a very
good foundation of players that Kyle and
John have brought in here since the
start and you have a lot of High
character guys and you know this team
doesn't really you know give up you turn
on the tape from last year's NFC
Championship game and we are without a
quarterback for a quarter and a half two
and a half quarters and you know didn't
give up it wasn't very pretty you know
hard to win that game but you know guys
are you know flying around hitting
people trying their best putting good
stuff on tape and you know that's what
you get all year round you know with
this team it's just you have a vet team
who we really want to win we're not
going to give up this our one
opportunity and you know the halftime
speech was there's not really a raw R
spee that's going to get it done for us
guys just figure out a way to get it
done that's what we did the Super Bowl
against the Chiefs the last time there's
the video of you vowing to get back
there what does it mean to you not only
to to get back there now but have
another shot at the Chiefs
also shot of the chief I mean nothing
really and that was 2019 that was a
while ago you know they were very
different football team a lot of the
same great football players obviously
you know they got uh Chris Jones Travis
Kelce and you know Mahomes like and Andy
Reid like they still like really good
they got their core guys as well but not
really you know worry about you know
that game plan when the time comes um
I'm very happy for this team this
organization franchise to get back and
get this opportunity because yeah lose
an NFC Championship game two more times
it's not very fun um you know you put an
extra two weeks in and then you lose
it's like ah that stings and then you
move on to the next one and you just hey
well what am I going to do differently
this year how am I going to work harder
how am I going to train my body
differently what's my mindset going to
be you know there's a lot of questions
and you know for us to be able to you
know extend this out a little bit and
not have to think about those things at
this current time just think about okay
how we're going to get everybody healthy
as healthy as we possibly can be for
this next game and you know what is our
game plan going to be and just to be
able to be in that opportunity with this
group of guys is very fun for someone
who did not see that Brandon I catch how
would you describe what happened to I
didn't see it I was I was way in the
back back and I saw a flag I was like oh
thank goodness we got a flag all a
sudden everyone was celebrating he's in
the end zone like fake dunking on the
goal post I was like he caught it like
so I was like did he one hand catch it
like what did he do and I saw the replay
I was like just how we intended it to
look off the guy's face mask right to ba
dang Brock's good at football isn't he
how much did you feel that fourth down
stop on the offense oh for our defense
yeah that was that was cool cuz I think
what we came out got a field goal and
then that was the next one then we go
down and score and then they have a
turnover the following play that we go
down and score it's crazy uh the fourth
down stop was huge you know and I'm
assuming the defense got up here and
they're like yeah we didn't play our
best ball but we played better you know
in the second half when we need to make
plays that's what we did you know our
defense flies around we had a lot of
great players on that you know Gibson is
just you know playing with his hair on
fire what's whatever's left of it and
he's playing at an incredibly high level
I'm kidding guys I L call him young giip
every single day um but it's just it was
a huge stop huge momentum for us I I
have a question for you guys why does
analytics people say that momentum isn't
a real thing like what that is I had a
conversation with Pat McAfee and he was
like yeah all these people are telling
us that momentum is not real and that's
just the biggest load of horse crap I've
ever heard of in my entire life but we
can move on iess did you feel when did
you when did you feel that the momentum
really start to turn I mean I think our
Stadium did a fantastic job like when
Nick said yes like for some reason
playoffs and Levis it feels like there's
crow like crowd noise being pumped in
it's not our fan base is just phenomenal
um really know we had a good opening
drive out of the second half and that
fourth down stop you could just kind of
feel an energy we go down and score all
right this is huge turnover I was like a
man all bets are off now like bang
bang is real how come you guys didn't f
it in at halftime obviously had all you
know CU in every in every opportunity
that you have in every circumstance you
have a choice am I going to back down or
am I going to do something about it and
that's the really cool thing about
football the really cool thing about
life is I have a choice and I'm going to
do everything I can to be my best self
on every single play whether the ball's
going my way whether it's you know
whether matter how good the defense is
playing no matter how good the special
team is playing no matter how good the
quarterback's no matter what's going on
I have a choice to go out there and play
at my best and that's the decision that
our entire team made
today those couple scrambles get two 21
yard runs sick's what's your what's your
view of those what kind of spark does
that do it more what are we doing just
don't get hit like scramble you know
maybe tuck the ball a little bit faster
but like he he scampers I think that's
the best way to describe it he's he's
scampers like you ever seen one of those
little water dragons run across the
water like that's what I Envision every
time he's running with the football and
I just thought of that too that was not
pre-planned um pretty proud of myself
for that and then um but let's just like
he does a really good job of avoiding
contact he dives into areas he could
slide once in a while probably get a 15
yard penalty you know but um he's just
he's a tough kid a lot of grit to him
and he understands that like when when
when he's playing at a high level when
he needs to play at a high level
everyone around him is
better you mentioned that you guys
actually didn't play your best today
you've come from behind to win both
games without playing your best all four
quarters can you beat the Chiefs that
way or or uh do you yeah um well yeah I
mean nothing like the playoffs that try
to win from behind multiple times for
the first time in a season um can I beat
the Chiefs that way you know you never
want to give Patrick Mahomes the lead
he's a fantastic football player one of
the probably is going one of the best
ever do it him and Travis have what 18
19 touchdowns in the playoffs like they
know how to win big games they've won it
twice like so no would that be good for
us probably not I believe in the team to
be able to win in any circumstance
though we proved it again tonight that's
a you know fun thing to be able to say
along those lines along those lines you
last one back in were you just wearing a
Northwestern hat now you're in a
Virginia hat you have all three
OS
Fair strong thank you back in 19 okay
won those two playoff games pretty
handily that we did um we ran the ball
like 45 times a game so one of my
favorite games I've ever played in my
life this is a a totally different
scenario I mean any sense that the way
the playoffs have gone this year you
know sets you up prepares you better for
a Super Bowl I thought our team in 2019
did a fantastic job of handling those
games you know teams coming to the
stadium and just kind of whooping up on
them I think we did a really good job of
that and I think we handled that
whatever the pressure was I that we did
a good job of handling winning by a lot
we did a good job but when you have to
come back and win and you have to win
two very gritty games I think it kind of
sets a sense of urgency into the entire
building and all right hey guys look
there's I don't know if there's things
we have to fix but there's things we
have to lock down tighten up refocus on
and I think it just kind of throws some
gas on the fire of a sense of urgency
and like hey guys we're almost out of
this two different times and luckily
we're a good enough team with good
enough coaches that we're able to come
back can get those wins but um let's try
not to do that again that's what I would
say what cam you keep the ball from your
kick recover I toss it over to somebody
you know I was actually it was funny cuz
the last onside kick I had I didn't
recover versus the Lions in 2021 so yeah
fun and so no but I was like in my head
I was like watch me get a op at this and
I did look at me speaking things into
existence how fun goodness gracious see
you
guys
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