SANTA CLARA -- The best play call in football is the one that works, a reminder George Kittle received in epic fashion during the over the New England Patriots on Sunday at Levi's Stadium. Kittle's spectacular leaping touchdown grab stole the show, but the All-Pro tight end left the huddle a bit weary of coach Kyle Shanahan's aggressive play call so close to the end zone. "Oh dear, it felt fantastic," Kittle said regarding his touchdown reception.
"Just wasn't really confident in the play call, because that was something we had originally called from way farther out. When he called it from the [10-yard line], I had to double check with Brock that it was the right play, and I was like, 'All right, man. Just throw it.
' And he just threw it. So it was pretty fun." "When he called it from the 10, I had to double check with Brock to make sure it was the right play.
" Kittle wasn't too confident before his touchdown grab, but he likes the decision now 🤣 — 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) That's our TE 📺 on FOX NFL+ // — San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) Kittle described how the out-and-up route he ran originally had been called much further from the goal line, which theoretically would allow more space to separate at the top of his stem. Instead, Shanahan opted to call it in the shadow of New England's goal post, with Kittle gleefully supporting the results over the process in this scenario. "It was like an out-and-up that we had originally called from the 40-yard line," Kittle expla.