Why Gipson’s ‘alley-oop’ interception was tough vs. Raiders initially appeared on NBC Sports activities Bayarea
SANTA CLARA — It regarded really easy, however 49ers security Tashaun Gipson will inform you these ones are essentially the most tough.
When teammate Nick Bosa knocked Las Vegas Raiders left sort out Kolton Miller into quarterback Jarrett Stidham as he was throwing, the ball hung within the air for a very long time.
Gipson camped underneath it — an enormous play in time beyond regulation ready to be accomplished with an interception.
“Guys who’ve been in these conditions will inform you that these are the toughest ones to catch,” Gipson mentioned. “When the ball sits up there that lengthy, you have got 100 ideas occurring in your thoughts.
“That’s whenever you drop these sort of performs. It’s all about securing it.”
Bosa made one other play towards a potential NFL Defensive Participant of the Yr award, and all Gipson needed to do was catch it.
“You get an alley-oop like that, it’s Christmas time,” Gipson mentioned. “You bought to gather that reward.”
He did extra than simply seize it. He grabbed it and ran with it. Gipson’s 56-yard return arrange kicker Robbie Gould for the successful area aim within the 49ers’ 37-34 victory in Week 17.
The 49ers’ ninth consecutive win put them into the No. 2 seed within the NFC playoffs with the highest seed remaining a chance heading into Sunday’s regular-season finale in opposition to the Arizona Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium.
Gipson ran a complete of 78 yards on the play, based on Zebra Applied sciences. That yardage takes under consideration how far he backpedaled earlier than the ball was thrown and the bottom he coated whereas ranging over from the center of the sector.
How drained was he on the finish of the play?
“Oh, past drained,” Gipson answered. “These 32-year-old legs solely have a stable 40-yard burst in them.”
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It was Gipson’s third interception of the season and the thirtieth of his 11-year profession.
“I might’ve preferred to have gotten ultimately zone, however the adrenaline in all probability saved me going,” he mentioned. “It was electrical. After I caught it, I felt the group. It was one thing I’ll always remember.”
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