With the 2025 NFL Playoffs underway, it’s now or never for the 14 teams in the postseason. Win, and you move on; lose, and you are headed home. With three incredible games to start Wild Card Weekend, the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles engaged in a defensive battle as both offenses struggled to score points for most of the game.
However, the 49ers would face a massive loss in the first half with All-Pro tight end George Kittle going down with an Achilles injury. Without his top-notch tight end, San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan pulled some tricks out of his playbook, dialing up quite the touchdown throw, and the NFL world was left awestruck by the 49ers’ offensive brilliance.
NFL World Wowed by San Francisco 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan’s Creativity
After bringing the game within three points at the end of the first half, the 49ers struggled to get much going in the third quarter. Thankfully for them, Philadelphia also struggled, scoring the only points of the third quarter with a 41-yard field goal. With the score back to 16-10, Shanahan and the offense had to think of something to spark some momentum.
A Kyle Juszczyk 27-yard completion would help flip the field for San Francisco, going from their own 33-yard line to Philadelphia 40. A couple of runs gained 11 yards and took them to the end of the third quarter. However, on the first play of the fourth, a double reverse to wide receiver Juaun Jennings ended in a gorgeous over-the-shoulder 29-yard touchdown strike to running back Christian McCaffrey.
Things getting wild‼️
JJ TD PASS TO CMC 🤯
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/UAxFPuAS8f
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 12, 2026
The touchdown not only provided a spark for the 49ers’ offense but also gave them a 17-16 lead, their first of the Wild Card matchup. After San Francisco’s offense struggled for most of the night, the NFL world couldn’t believe their eyes, with 49ers’ reporter Grant Cohn posting on X, “That was one of the best calls of Kyle Shanahan’s career. Might have saved the season.”
That was one of the best calls of Kyle Shanahan’s career. Might have saved the season.
— Grant Cohn (@grantcohn) January 12, 2026
With quite a few franchises in the midst of coaching searches and even some playoff contenders pondering if they need to make a change after their Wild Card Weekend performance, many applauded Shanahan’s play-calling. ESPN’s Ryan Clark said matter-of-factly, “Coaching matters! Kyle Shanahan with an all-time play call in a huge moment!”
Coaching matters! Kyle Shanahan with an all time play call in a huge moment!
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) January 12, 2026
Former NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho echoed Clark’s point about Shanahan’s top-notch coaching, but pushed it even further amid the 49ers’ offensive struggles against Philadelphia, posting, “And that’s why Kyle Shanahan is Kyle Shanahan…. That’s why you better have a solid offensive mind who can rescue you if need be!”
And that’s why Kyle Shanahan is Kyle Shanahan…. Thats why you better have a solid offensive mind who can rescue you if need be! #Eagles #49ers
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) January 12, 2026
While many pointed to the brilliance of Shanahan, some used the trick play as a chance to take a shot at the Eagles, with Skip Bayless explaining, “What an over-the-head catch on the trick play pass from Jennings. And…the defending champs trail at home in the 4th quarter of a Wild Card game.”
What an over-the-head catch on the trick play pass from Jennings. And … the defending champs trail at home in the 4th quarter of a wild-card game.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) January 12, 2026
Philadelphia would respond with a field goal a few drives later to regain the lead, but another masterful drive by Shanahan and San Francisco’s offense saw McCaffrey haul in his second 20-yard touchdown catch of the game to give the 49ers a 23-19 lead.
San Francisco was able to hold on to its lead, and the trick play was a deciding moment in the crazy Wild Card matchup.
