SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 3: The San Francisco 49ers Trent Williams (71) doubles over in ache throughout the second half of the Seattle Seahawks recreation, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Space Information Group)
Kyle Shanahan isn’t shocked he’ll be teaching for a Tremendous Bowl berth towards the Los Angeles Rams.
He additionally isn’t boasting how his 49ers have received their six conferences since 2019, a run that coincided with Shanahan guiding a Tremendous Bowl run that season.
Simply two weeks faraway from beating the Rams in extra time at SoFi Stadium, the 49ers return Sunday for yet one more rematch, and, this time, the NFC Championship is on the road.
“We’ve been by way of this a lot over the previous couple of years, so there’s not a lot new,” Shanahan mentioned Monday in a media convention name. “I don’t assume there are a lot of secrets and techniques.
“There are usually not many issues we are able to shock them with, and the identical with them with us. Which I believe is form of probably the most enjoyable approach. Two actually good groups, a extremely good soccer recreation the place you possibly can’t actually trick one another. Obtained to exit and beat any person.”
Each the No. 6-seed 49ers and No. 4-seed Rams superior on walk-off discipline objectives in divisional-road upsets on the street, San Francisco successful 13-10 at Inexperienced Bay on Saturday night time earlier than Los Angeles dethroned Tampa Bay 30-27 on Sunday.
There received’t be numerous thriller in relation to making ready for the Rams and coach Sean McVay. That mentioned, Shanahan was shocked to be taught that Monday was McVay’s thirty sixth birthday.
“We’re not massive birthday guys,” Shanahan mentioned. “He by no means communicated with me so I maintain a grudge over it. Simply joking. We don’t do birthday issues. I didn’t learn about that. I don’t know even know what date it's, to inform you the reality. Hopefully he’s celebrating.”
NO WILLIAMS FRACTURE
Left deal with Trent Williams’ ankle damage required him to stroll with crutches to the postgame X-ray room, the place no fracture was revealed. He’ll be monitored all week as he rehabilitates not solely that ankle but in addition an elbow sprain that saved him out of the 49ers’ 27-24, extra time win on the Rams on Jan. 9.
Shanahan mentioned the damage was much like defensive deal with Jordan Willis, who was initially believed to have a high-ankle sprain however additional exams revealed a low-ankle sprain. “Just a few outdated stuff in there, too,” Shanahan mentioned. “Not precisely positive on him. We’ll must handle him, see the way it goes all through the week.”
Williams performed all however one snap Saturday night time, even lining up twice in a receiver-eligible position at fullback — as soon as on a third-and-1 conversion after which later he was deployed in the identical style on fourth-and-1 however the 49ers didn’t convert.
DEEBO’S PAINFUL EXIT
Deebo Samuel, the 49ers’ All-Professional extensive receiver and part-time working again, declared himself alright after Saturday night time’s recreation regardless of twice leaving the sector with accidents. The primary was a shoulder subject after a tough hit from a Packers linebacker, and the second was an ankle damage he sustained on a 9-yard, third-and-7 conversion run that arrange Robbie Gould’s 45-yard successful discipline aim.
“Deebo took a helmet to the aspect of his knee/leg on the final play so he’s sore in the present day,” Shanahan mentioned. “We count on to see him on the follow discipline this week.”
OTHER HEALTH UPDATES
Cornerback Ambry Thomas’ knee is bettering from a bone bruise that saved him from suiting up Saturday night time. “He has a a lot better likelihood of enjoying this week,” mentioned Shanahan, who's hopeful Thomas can take part on this week’s first follow on Wednesday.
Operating again Jeff Wilson “has an opportunity” to return this week from a low-ankle sprain that compelled him out on the opening kickoff.
ANALYZING GAROPPOLO’S THROWS
Shanahan didn't have any setbacks to report on Jimmy Garoppolo’s sprained shoulder and thumb, however the coach did defend his quarterback’s lackluster passing line (11-of-19, 131 yards, one interception). One apparent issue: the 14-degree temperature that felt like zero with the wind chill at kickoff.
Garoppolo opened 0-for-5, and that included drops by Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle and Jauan Jennings. So 11-of-14 passes have been accomplished the remainder of the way in which, even when a pair incompletions seemed like potential interceptions.
“He was below duress, he was getting hit as he goes, was in zero diploma temperatures the place most individuals can’t really feel their fingers,” Shanahan mentioned. “He virtually did full them there to the flat, however once they do journey there, it will probably make you nervous”
REFEREE ANNOUNCED
Carl Cheffers, who three weeks in the past refereed the 49ers’ win over the Houston Texans, has been assigned Sunday’s recreation. His crews have referred to as extra penalties than some other this season. He was the referee in final season’s Tremendous Bowl between the Bucs and Kansas Metropolis Chiefs.
That 49ers-Texans recreation Jan. 2 got here with a controversial name that went the 49ers’ approach: a Marcell Harris’ interception stood when officers dominated that Harris’ ahead progress was stopped earlier than he fumbled, within the third quarter earlier than the 49ers’ go-ahead landing drive.
Sunday’s crew will embrace Paul King, Jerod Phillips, Mark Perlman, Tom Hill, Eugene Corridor, Greg Steed, Brian Matoren and Randy Campbell.
“SEAT LA! SEAT LA!”
This week’s early theme as been 49ers followers’ pursuit of a seat on the recreation, and Shanahan was amused to listen to that ticket gross sales have been initially restricted to Southern California residents. That’s as a result of 49ers followers’ confirmed up so plentiful and loud on the Jan. 9 recreation that the Rams offense resorted to a silent snap depend.
“It fires us up. We love our followers for it. It’s cool to see,” mentioned Shanahan, noting that he was the Atlanta Falcons’ offensive coordinator when, in a pair house video games, in addition they had communication points within the crimson zone due to opposing followers’ noise.