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49ers blow it by not challenging DeVonta Smith’s fourth-down catch

An early mistake by San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan put his team behind by a touchdown early in Sunday’s 2023 NFC Championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Eagles decided to go for it on fourth-and-3 at the 49ers’ 35-yard line less than five minutes into the game, and after quarterback Jalen Hurts scrambled to his left, he connected with wide receiver DeVonta Smith, who made what appeared to be an impressive one-handed catch for 29 yards to get Philadelphia down to the 6-yard line.

However, replays showed that the ball was bobbled and hit the ground. Smith and the Eagles hurried to the line of scrimmage to get the next play off, and Shanahan did not challenge.

Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith makes a one-handed grab against the 49ers on Jan. 29, 2023.
Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith makes a one-handed grab against the 49ers on Jan. 29, 2023.
AP
Replay showed that DeVonta Smith did not complete the catch.
Replay showed that DeVonta Smith did not complete the catch.
Fox

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Two plays later, Eagles running back Miles Sanders ran for a 6-yard touchdown to give Philadelphia a 7-0 lead.

Things only got worse for the 49ers as quarterback Brock Purdy left with an elbow injury, meaning San Francisco had to turn to their fourth-string quarterback, Josh Johnson.