San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan recently shared a humorous anecdote about his experience cheering for the Seattle Seahawks against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 15. With the 49ers having already secured a victory against the Arizona Cardinals, clinching the NFC West the previous day, Shanahan was able to enjoy the second half of the Monday Night Football game with his family at home.
In an interview with KNBR on Friday, Shanahan revealed that he was actively rooting for the Seahawks to defeat the Eagles, a team from the NFC East. The unusual alliance stemmed from the fact that a Seattle win would make the 49ers’ path to the NFC’s No. 1 seed more straightforward. Despite the rivalry between the 49ers and the Seahawks, Shanahan found himself invested in the game’s outcome due to its implications for his team.
The coach described the experience as unique, as he had the rare opportunity to watch a game as a spectator without work obligations. Shanahan expressed his frustration during the match when it seemed unlikely that Seattle would emerge victorious. However, in a surprising turn of events during the last drive, the Seahawks secured a last-minute win that left Shanahan and his family ecstatic.
Shanahan humorously recounted how he had to ask his wife to calm down after the Seahawks’ unexpected triumph. Despite the positive impact on the 49ers’ playoff aspirations, the coach emphasized the need to remain focused, considering the team still had three regular-season games ahead and much to accomplish.
The victory of the Seahawks proved beneficial for the 49ers, positioning them to potentially clinch the NFC’s top seed in Week 16. The scenario involves the Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, and Philadelphia Eagles losing their respective games, coupled with a San Francisco win against the Baltimore Ravens on Christmas Day.
Acknowledging the rarity of rooting for a divisional rival, Shanahan expressed his happiness for a brief moment, especially after receiving calls from some of his players who were similarly pleased with the unexpected turn of events in the Seahawks-Eagles game. Despite the transient camaraderie, Shanahan remains focused on the 49ers’ goals for the remainder of the season.
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