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5 reasons the 49ers will regress in 2020

By Rucker Haringey

The 49ers are a prime candidate for regression in 2020. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
The 49ers are a prime candidate for regression in 2020. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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The 49ers are still hurting from their Super Bowl loss. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

1. The Super Bowl hangover is real

The 49ers shouldn’t feel shame in losing the Super Bowl to the buzz saw that was the 2019 Kansas City Chiefs. The challenge San Francisco now faces is trying to shake off the dreaded Super Bowl hangover.

The mental effects of losing such an important game are difficult to quantify. At the very least, it seems obvious that teams who come up just short of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy struggle to conjure up the same energy levels the next season. Any decrease in San Fransisco’s mental or physical effort in 2020 is going to hurt their win total.

The physical effects of losing a Super Bowl are even easier to understand. Getting to the final game of the season requires a team to play a ton of extra playoff games. The energy expended in those games is higher than anything that happens in the regular season. Playing all those extra games and failing to win a Super Bowl is draining for any team.

NFL Draft grades: Did the 49ers win the day?. dark. Next

Look for the 49ers to say all the right things about gearing up for another Super Bowl before the 2020 regular season begins. Their play on the field should be more instructive. Expect them to struggle with lethargy for weeks at a time next year. That may be the biggest reason why the 49ers are poised for regression.