(Santa Clara) The pain of crushing playoff defeats will never completely disappear among the 49ers from San Francisco.
A 10-point lead blown in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl 54. Another 10-point lead blown in the fourth quarter of the National Association Championship game in 2022.
Then another duel for the National Championship during which the 49ers never really had a chance to win due to an elbow injury suffered by quarterback Brock Purdy on the first possession last winter.
These moments now serve as fuel for the 49ers, who will try their luck again this year. They will begin their playoff journey on Saturday against the Green Bay Packers in the second round.
“You always remember those moments,” linebacker Fred Warner said. It’s important in these moments like last year in Philadelphia where you see the confetti falling, you see [les Eagles] with their hats and sweaters on stage. They’re happy and you’re there watching it all.
“What sucks is you can’t just blink and go back and start again. »
The 49ers (12-5) began the season by affirming their desire to return to the Association Finals to finally overcome the obstacles and win their sixth Super Bowl title. It would be their first since the 1994 season.
With an excellent season from Purdy, a powerful offensive unit and their usual defense, the 49ers won first place in the National. They achieved this in large part with convincing victories against the Dallas Cowboys and the Eagles, two teams contending for top honors.
“You have to rebuild the team. It’s like it was yesterday, and you blink and there we are, Warner said. It’s the start of the playoffs with an opportunity to do something special. I think that’s what scars are for. You remember those moments. How can I not give it my all? »
The 49ers are healthy for this new challenge.
Safety guard Talanoa Hufanga and defensive end Clelin Ferrell are the only two starters from the first week of activities. Tackle Arik Armstead is expected to return and running back Christian McCaffrey is recovering from a calf injury.