The San Francisco 49ers pulled off a statement win last Sunday, knocking off the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles in a game that reminded everyone why Kyle Shanahan is one of the most creative minds in football. One play in particular-a beautifully executed trick play-flipped the momentum squarely in San Francisco’s favor. It was vintage Shanahan: bold, unexpected, and perfectly timed.
That play, a double reverse involving two wide receivers that ended with a pass to the running back, hadn’t been called in six years-not since a wild 48-46 win over the New Orleans Saints back in 2019. And just like it did then, the play worked to perfection, helping the 49ers seize control of a high-stakes game.
Shanahan’s not new to this. He’s built a reputation for dialing up trick plays at just the right moment.
We saw it in the Super Bowl against the Chiefs when wide receiver Jauan Jennings, a former quarterback, threw a pass to Christian McCaffrey. It’s not just flash for the sake of flash-it’s calculated risk, and when it works, it’s devastating.
Now, with a divisional matchup looming against the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, Shanahan might need to reach into that playbook again. Seattle’s defense held the Niners to just three points two weeks ago, stifling an offense that usually thrives on rhythm and misdirection. That game was a grind from start to finish, and the one promising drive San Francisco managed ended with a costly interception-Brock Purdy putting the ball just behind McCaffrey, sealing the loss.
It’s clear the 49ers need to be sharper this time around. They’ll be on the road again, facing a red-hot Seahawks team that’s riding high as the NFC’s No. 1 seed after a bye week. To make matters tougher, they’ll be without star tight end George Kittle, one of the offense’s most versatile and impactful weapons.
They did manage a road win against Seattle back in Week 1 without much help from Kittle, but that was a different Seahawks squad-one still finding its identity. This version is confident, rested, and ready.
So where can the 49ers find an edge? Trickery could be part of the answer.
If wide receiver Ricky Pearsall is able to return, it adds another layer of depth to a receiving corps that could use a spark. But even if he plays, it’s unclear how much of an impact he’ll be able to make.
That’s where players like Jennings and McCaffrey come into play. Jennings, thanks to his quarterbacking background, gives Shanahan a legitimate option for gadget plays. And McCaffrey, who threw a 34-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Aiyuk in one of his first games as a Niner, is more than capable of executing when the moment calls for it.
The formula for a 49ers win this weekend is going to require more than just solid execution. It’s going to take creativity, discipline, and maybe a little magic.
Shanahan has shown he’s willing to take chances when the stakes are high. And given the challenge ahead, don’t be surprised if he digs deep into his bag of tricks once again.
Because if the 49ers are going to take down another heavyweight, they’ll need every tool, every wrinkle, and every bit of boldness Shanahan can muster.