The San Francisco 49ers are heading to the playoffs again, with a new sense of optimism as they look to win their first Super Bowl since 1994.
They went ever so close during the 2019 season, so close that they were just 15 minutes away from success before Patrick Mahomes delivered one of the great Super Bowl endings. The 49ers led 20-10 against Kansas City Chiefs at Super Bowl LIV, but a stunning fourth quarter saw Mahomes inspire a 21-point haul, snatching away the ultimate prize in football.
Playing at offensive tackle that day for the 49ers was Joe Staley, a now franchise legend after spending his entire career in San Francisco. The 49ers had a good team under head coach Kyle Shanahan back then, but Staley told Mirror Sport that he feels they have now found their 'identity', and are now in much better shape to win the Super Bowl this time around.
The 49ers ended the regular season with an impressive 12-4 record, made even more notable when rookie quarterback Brock Purdy started five of them. The 49ers defence has been as solid as ever, but it's their offense that has stepped up this season, giving them a lot more threat going downfield.
Staley was left heartbroken after going so close to a Super Bowl ring back in the 2019 season, but is full of confidence that they can end the drought this time around. Staley thinks they have found their 'identity' at last, and think they have as good a chance as anyone in the NFL.
"Well I think they're as good as anybody, but what differentiates this team to the one in 2019 is that we were really dependent on our defence that year," Staley exclusively told Mirror Sport . "We had a really solid defence, a lot of the same pieces (to now).
"But for offense, it was kind of hit or miss all season long if we were going to get into our role, move the chains consistently, or if we were going to have to lean on our defence. I think they have more confidence and more of an identity, especially in the second half of this year.
"They know who they are, and how to stay ahead of the chains rather than getting to second and eight, second and nine, they're consistently getting into second and three, second and four situations. It takes so much pressure off the quarterback situation as it's a real team aspect this year as opposed to 2019.
"That year, especially in the fourth quarter, we weren't able to get anything moving offensively throughout the entire game. Even though we had 20 points, it was really because of two drives and a couple field goals, there was no real consistency.
"So when we got down, and had to make a play, we didn't have the confidence or ability to go downfield. I think this year they're much more certain of their identity and their role, and how to play in this offense.
"There's playmakers all over, and I think that's one of the key things in playoff football compared to the regular season. You have to be able to be a consistent offense, you have to be able to score points, and they have that this year."
Their playoff campaign starts against Seattle Seahawks, but face competition from a stacked NFC if they progress beyond Wildcard Weekend. But there's momentum with this 49ers side, and they're becoming increasingly difficult to face.
