The s are 5-0 earlier than taking part in a prime-time recreation towards a one-win opponent.
Head coach n has been right here earlier than. It ended awfully.
In 2015, when Shanahan was the Falcons offensive coordinator, Atlanta was 5-0 earlier than visiting the Saints (1-4) in a Thursday night time recreation. The Falcons misplaced. And saved dropping. They completed 8-8, missed the playoffs and Shanahan was satisfied he could be despatched packing after one season.
"I used to be getting fired," Shanahan stated. "… I believe there was strain on (then Falcons head coach) Dan (Quinn) to let me go and I'm very glad that he caught with me."
Greater than a decade later, these scars assist clarify Shanahan's perspective within the midst of the 49ers' scorching begin earlier than assembly the struggling Commanders (1-3-1) on Monday night time at Levi's Stadium.
The 49ers have develop into the primary workforce in NFL historical past to start out 5-0 whereas beating three groups (Rams, Broncos, Seahawks) that gained at 12 video games the earlier season. They personal the league's finest level differential (plus-61), have a 2½-game lead over second-place Seattle within the NFC West and have entered the best-team-in-the-league dialog.
Such chatter reminds Shanahan of discuss he heard from the Falcons in 2015. In October, they had been already discussing January.
"I bear in mind listening to a participant in the future speak about how essential Week 7 was as a result of he didn't need to go to chilly climate within the playoffs, which suggests you're considering homefield benefit," Shanahan stated. "… You hear issues like that and then you definitely don't even make the playoffs."
Shanahan's historical past is why he leans significantly onerous into the stay-in-the-moment mantra preached by numerous coaches. Not that lots of Shanahan's veteran leaders must be advised in regards to the 2015 Falcons. The 2023 49ers began 5-0 earlier than happening a three-game dropping streak in a season that resulted in a Tremendous Bowl loss.
Left deal with s, 38, is aware of a shock stumble towards the Commanders possible means the 49ers will probably be changed because the league's early season darlings. Williams famous the sky is immediately falling in Seattle after the 2 losses in a five-day span dropped the Seahawks to 3-3.
"The tide can flip in only a week," Williams stated. "You have a look at all of the scrutiny the Seahawks are beneath they usually're the defending Tremendous Bowl champs."
Buddy discuss: As Shanahan talked about, Quinn fought for him to maintain his job in 2015.
Eleven years later, Quinn, the Commanders head coach, is on the recent seat after Washington's horrendous clock administration on the finish of its 27-27 tie towards the Giants final week. As a substitute of trying a game-winning, 42-yard subject aim, the Commanders ran one other play with no timeouts left, QB Jayden Daniels was tackled for no acquire with eight seconds remaining and the clock ran out.
Quinn stated the play was purported to be a throw to the sideline to tight finish Ben Sinnott. He acknowledged it was an pointless danger.
"We don't want to achieve extra yards," he stated.
Shanahan spoke fondly about his embattled pal. As a coordinator beneath Quinn, Shanahan stated he typically grew to become annoyed when Quinn minimize into his offensive assembly time by speaking to the workforce in regards to the significance of defenders attacking the ball, depth or brotherhood.
"We're simply doing random issues that don't have a lot to do with Xs and Os," Shanahan stated. "And (I bear in mind) how annoyed I'd be at first, like, ‘Holy crap, I'm operating out of time. I’ve loads of essential stuff to cowl.' Actually wired."
As a head coach, nevertheless, Shanahan has adopted a lot of what exasperated him when he started working for Quinn.
"That's one thing that I've actually realized from him," Shanahan stated. "The extra you speak about it, the extra you present it, the extra you will get your guys to play to a sure type. He made me a significantly better coach that approach."
Historical past for Purdy: Since turning into Mr. Irrelevant because the final choose within the 2022 draft, quarterback y has collected some cool accolades in his NFL profession. He completed top-five in MVP voting in 2023. Made the Professional Bowl. Broke the 49ers' single-season passing yards report.
Getting into Week 6 of Yr 5, there's one other stat Purdy is about to overcome, and it's an enormous one: He's 5 passes away from qualifying for, and topping, the NFL's all-time passer ranking record.
What does that quantity imply to Purdy? How does he interpret it as a quarterback?
"To be trustworthy, I don't actually know," he stated. "I assume it's factor?"
Purdy then went on to clarify that, since he’s environment friendly with the soccer, throws loads of landing passes, limits turnovers and "issues like that," his ranking, "in fact, goes to be good."
"On the identical time," he continued, "I'm not getting accomplished with video games and going: ‘All proper, was my ranking at the least 100-something?' I may actually care much less about that. It's extra so, did I do my job nicely for my teammates? Did I compete and do every part I may to assist this workforce win? I do know it sounds tacky, however that's the truth. That's what I'm fascinated by and it's what issues."
Clearly, Purdy is itching to interrupt this report. Anticipate him to pop a bottle of Champagne or two Monday night time within the 49ers' locker room.
His head coach struck an analogous observe Friday. In basic Shanahan style, he stated passer ranking is "slightly bit overrated," then proceeded to reward Purdy for not caring in regards to the stat.
Shanahan stated he has seen some quarterbacks take sacks as a substitute of throwing the ball away, or keep away from throwing late-game Hail Marys to guard their passer ranking. However by no means Purdy.
"I believe it reveals how constant Brock is," Shanahan stated.
McCaffreys unite: A cool second is on faucet for operating again y and his brother, Commanders broad receiver Luke McCaffrey. They may share a soccer subject for the primary time Monday.
Christian, 30, has performed with or towards his different two brothers sooner or later. However by no means the 25-year-old Luke.
"I believe this completes the cycle," McCaffrey stated Thursday. "I do know it's completely different uniforms, however happy with him and every part he's accomplished. Excited to see him."
After all, McCaffrey was raised in an athletic household. His father, Ed, spent 13 seasons within the NFL, together with one as a part of the 49ers' Tremendous Bowl XXXII workforce in 1994. His mom, Lisa, performed soccer, tennis and monitor at Stanford. His grandfather, Dave Sime, was an Olympic silver-medalist sprinter.
After attending Nebraska and Rice, Luke met with San Francisco in the course of the 2024 pre-draft course of. However Shanahan and basic supervisor John Lynch opted for one more receiver, Ricky Pearsall, within the first spherical, then took cornerback Renardo Inexperienced and guard Dominick Puni earlier than Washington chosen McCaffrey at choose No. 100.
Luke has struggled to interrupt by means of with the Commanders. He recorded 29 receptions for 371 yards over his first two seasons. He has solely been energetic for 2 video games so far in 2026, primarily taking part in particular groups.
Even so, the McCaffrey dad and mom have a predicament for Monday night time's recreation: How are they going to deal with apparel? Break up their fandom? Decide one facet?
"I don't know what they're gonna do," Christian stated. "They may simply go all black, impartial."
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