Ex-49ers QBs Young, Dilfer question Shanahan’s play-calling
The 49ers next head coach was critiqued by two former 49ers quarterbacks after his fourth-quarter play-calling was a story line in the Patriots’ 34-28 overtime win over the Falcons in Super Bowl LI on Sunday. ESPN analysts Steve Young and Trent Dilfer both questioned some of the decisions made by Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, who stayed aggressive as New England rallied from a 25-point deficit. [...] they had to play the game they were a little uncomfortable with because (the Patriots) started to come back. Leading 28-20 with about four minutes left, the Falcons had a 2nd-and-11 at the Patriots’ 23-yard line. Shanahan called a slow-developing pass play and quarterback Matt Ryan was sacked for a 12-yard loss. The Falcons had reached New England’s 22-yard line on highlight-reel catch by wideout Julio Jones. A 39-yard field goal … New England recovered the loose ball at the Falcons’ 25-yard line and scored two minutes later to cut the gap to 28-20.