Is it me? Why am I not very worried about Detroit? Suh is a beast, and Mergatroid is outstanding. After that? Ehhhh . . . Frankly, I think the Niners can win this game. Not easy, by any means, but something in the area of 28-17. Some shit like that. Stafford, among all his slow starts and comebacks, is fairly inconsistent. Detroit’s running game doesn’t worry me that much, and they haven’t exactly played a boatload of stellar opponents, either. Chicago was their toughest foe, and among all that ineptitude on the Bears’ part, Chicago was in it most of the way. Lost in Detroit’s win were a shitload of penalties called on them, a lot of missed passes, and the home run to Mergs.
Detroit may get another big play out of him, but the key is to take advantage of all the other opportunities they seem to offer up. They are going to pass a lot, so I’m thinking the Niners will play a lot of nickel and also have Aldon Smith in while they primarily run a 4-3 defense. This puts the onus on the linebackers to watch for screens and delays. That being said, Bowman and Willis are both in the top 7 in tackles, and they are doing a great job of staying at home and not overpursuing plays. A vast difference from last year. How they rotate these guys around as they go from 3-4 to 4-3 will be something to watch. The secondary has made geat strides, even from the start of the year. As many yards as the Eagles gained in the air, the DBs were making plays downfield. And they were tackling guys after catches. The TB game was a study in tight coverage.
The Niners defense is gaining a reputation as a tough, hard-hitting unit. Laying the bricks on Mergatroid may slow him down a hair. I thnk they should jam CJ early and often. Culliver has good size to match up with him on the line. Jam him with help over the top, and they can minimize his impact. I have the same feeling about this game as I did about the Tampa Bay game. They are both good, but I think we out-play and out-coach them. God, what a weird feeling. It has been too long.
Forty Niners Forever 
Chuck, I think we got em too if we play mistake free ball. I believe we have the confidence to play with these guys and maybe we’ll need a ball to roll our way but whatever the case if we play like we did last week we should be fine.
As long as everyone keeps it in perspective, this is not a make or break game for the season. And it does not spell doom and gloom for Alex. It would be a nice feather in the cap to hand Detroit their first loss but if the Niners do lose i am not going to cry over it. The Niners do have the ability and talent to win this game.
You guys need to put down the Kool-Aid. “Cart in front of the horse.” “Not very worried.” ” (Detroit) hasn’t exactly played a boatload of stellar opponents, either.”
First off, neither have we. Detroit’s opponents have a combined record of 10-14 thus far. The Niners’ are 11-13. Not exactly the Monsters of the Midday for either. And least us not forget, the Lions beat the Cowboys in Dallas. We lost to the Boys at home.
Our offense is still ranked 27th overall, 28th in the pass. We’ve given up the 6th most sacks, and we just lost our most productive WR for the year. Our saving grace has been the turnover ratio. At +10 we lead the league. Do you think we’ll lead the league at the end of the year? That shit tends to even out over time.
I think our luck runs out Sunday. The clock strikes midnight for Cinderella. More specifically, 10:00 AM Pacific for the Niners in Detroit. *poof!* We’re a pumpkin again.
“Midway” Midday is the favorite for the Fillies & Mares Turf for the Breeders’ Cup.
When did they start putting worms in Kool-aid? I’m drinkin the real stuff man. Your right about losing Morgan though, he’s been a big play, blocking maniac for us this year and he will be missed greatly.
I have the opposite feeling Chuck. I have the worry that Alex and our offense will take a step back and our D won’t be able to hold them down enough. Close, but we lose. However I also acknowledge that when it comes to predictions, I can’t even accurately predict the direction the sun will rise, so there’s that. Shit, I predicted 5-11 this season.
I’m lovin’ me some Harbaugh, but Singletary scarred me. If he gets them to win, on the road, again, at 10am, against a 5-0 team, then I’ll take a swig of that koolaid shit.
5-11? That would make you the anti-skeeb as he called for 11-5 Talk about kool-aid.
I’ve been screwed by this team so many times, I know how Dennis’ dog feels.
But, hey, I think they are for real now. They had their stupid loss vs Dallas. I think they roll for a little bit.
You were picking 1-4, Dennis. I’d change my tune a little if I were you . . .
Naw Dennis doesn’t change his tune. But that’s okay, he’s working for Harbaugh and the Niners front office as Chief Shin Kicker AKA the anti-Kool Aid agent. Just doing his job, looking for the next raise and a promotion, that’s all.
Plus if my diagnosis is correct they’re giving him a fat bonus based on the weekly total of disses he can dump on old noodle arm Smith. Front office is shrewdly employing Del’s services to try drive down their labor costs before giving Alex his new 5 year contract. Hey this worked for years people. I’m not bullshitting you…
You got that right, Phil. No changing my tune here. The only guy allowed to change his tune was Sinatra. And that’s was when he got back on top in June. That’s Life!
Guy’s a master of reverse psychology : )
Now my equally insightful analysis of Sunday’s game: It will turn on turn overs. There will be a fumble or a pick that will swing this baby. I didn’t watch or hear Monday’s game against Chicago but Detroit is vulnerable if they let the Niners get on a roll, watch out. Martz is no Roman. His slow developing plays are tailor made for the Lions pass rush… Us not so much and our attack is much more varied. With Chilo’s butt warming the bench our OL is playing much more effectively, fewer penalties and more cohesion. This will limit the home/crowd noise advantage. As the game progresses our run game will take advantage of a tiring Detroit D following the familiar (new) script of get a lead and make ’em play catch up.
I see no danger of Harbaugh reverting to the old grind ’em out run game first type offense now that he knows what they have in their players. We’re gonna run the West Coast Offense and wear the Lions down in the second half. 28-21.
That sounds about right. Chicago/Martz plays right into the strength of Detroit with their 7 step drops and slow delevoping plays. Still and all, Chicago almost beat Detroit. Despite all the pressure, all the false starts, and all the general ineptitude of da Bears. The Niners showed last week that they can strike quick. I’d use screens and slants at the outset to slow down their rush. ALL quick hitters. Throw in a couple delayed draws. Getting past the first level should really open up the run game. They CAN get on top early and take the crowd out of it.
Interesting to say the least. God knows it’s nice to have on offensive strategist on our side for a change.
Wish I had seen the Bears game, that would make this clearer. I’ll be paying as close attention to this one as a man can at 1 AM. Still don’t see coaches backing down to a vanilla offense or a passive D. This is going to be a punching match and I think we wear ’em down in the later rounds, uh, 4th quarter.
Our talent level on O and D are getting there. Rest of the season barring injuries it’s gonna be about coaching where we rule seems to me. The best strategist would have to be an offensive one, har har Harbaugh. Sorry couldn’t resist…
I predicted that we’d mow through Tampa so it pains me to say this but I think we lose this game. Not because I think Detroit and certainly not better than us. But we do not match up well with them. I’m not on board yet with our offensive line but I have appreciated their improvement. They haven’t gone up against a D-line like this though. I think Detroit takes away our running game and then forces Alex into making some mistakes since he’s going to have no time to throw and in that dome you’re dead without time.
Hey, a loss is hardly the worse thing in the world. This team is still getting better and by the end of the year maybe they can handle a D-line like Detroit’s. Who knows, maybe we beat them, what the fuck do I know?
I’ll say Detroit by 10 or so………..
Supposed to be the best D line we’re gonna face all year so you could well be right. WE’re all just guessing on what seems likely cause hell, we hardly know our team’s potential at this point. I’m sure our coaches have some neutralizing tactics for these guys but can we execute them effectively? Dunno. If not yet then yeah the cart is in front of the horse for the moment.
Our edge is coaching and I figure that’s good for 10 points extra. Will it be enough on the road. East Coast start time? Stay tuned…
Fuck. As usual Dennis has us getting destroyed. Dennis is always wrong about this team. Hmmm, and yet I can’t shake this angle, our OL is going to get dominated by their DL. Oh well, Dennis, looks like for this week you and me are in the same sad boat. Who’s bailing water this week, you or me?
Remember Del Mar is drawing fat bank as the Niners FO Chief Shin Kicker. Or is that ‘shit kicker’? Either way his job is to try to keep the fans and team humble. Guy’s gonna get that raise swear to god.
Chuck, I’m surprised you’re not “worrying about Detroit this week.” THey have the best WR in the game and a QB who could be the best one day. And where the game is actually fought, on the line, we could get destroyed by their DL. I am not at all on board with our OL’s development right now. Changing out Chilo for Snyder (or whatever it was) should have fixed those offensive *line wide* missed blocks. Every play, most of those guys were on their heels.
But, I am also prone to admit when I am wrong (Dennis this is a post tutorial for you). Maybe they have jelled the way it looks like they have. After careful consideration, I have decided that this week I will not be issuing any death threats for anyone on the OL.
Go team.
Good Flav!
still making iPhone mistakes. For those taking notes:
Dennis: I meant to say “who is bailing PRETEND water this week.”
Chuck, I meant to say, “”changing out Chilo for Snyder SHOULDN’T have been enough to fix those offensive line-wide missed blocks that seemed to be their patented move.”
Well, I’ve seen a little of Detroit, and the game Monday night, Detroit looked very beatable. They hit the one big play, and had one more dcent drive. The rest was penalties, missed passes, and not much running minus one blown play. Our D line is worlds better than Chicago’s. We’ll get more pressure. Plus our secondary is coming into its own.
On offense, I think the Niners will go quick passes and screens to beat their aggressiveness. Fairley was a non-factor. Suh is Suh. They HAVE to account for him, and I think they will. CJ will get some passes, but they can minimize his impact by getting pressure.
You’re discounting their D-Line to just say “Suh is Suh”. That’s way too simplistic, they’re fucking good. They are rock solid all the way across with vets and 1-picks making that line up.. And since I consider our weakest link to be our OL, I think we are fucked. We’ll see how it plays out.
And our weakest link is not our WR core. Morgan’s skill was in blocking down field. His catches can be made up by Crabs or someone else. VD and Walker are our 2 main threats (with Gore as the…….wait for it……checkdown!). If that’s the case, don’t expect to see to many *slants* to VD and Walker, though I love the play and have harangued about it at least as long as you have…….
This will be a tough game, in their yard, I could easily see a 10 point or more loss. Again, I don’t really give a shit about one game, especially in our division. We will win the NFC West easily. The development as the year progresses is what I focus on. Others focus on some stupid ass dispute that Sing and Smith had a year ago. If that’s how you handicap the races it’s clear to me why you lose money……..
I agree with the rest of your post, I just think the DL/OL bad match up dooms us………
Like your perspective: it’s the progression through the year that counts. So far so good but their D-line is serious. Coaching schemes and turnovers to be the difference. We make mistakes we’re dead, agree
Maybe I’m basing too much on the Chi game, but they fell behind by 20 to Minnesota AND Tampa. They are slow starters. Get on ’em and don;t let ’em back.
Like I said, Minnesota and TB figured them out, partially. The Niners can do a better job for 60 minutes.
Crabs does have to get his shit together regarding hot reads. He’s been slow as shit to pick up on that. VD barely gets it, and that was one thing Morgan did well. As well as the slants.
Suh gets doubled. He’ll do some damage. Like CJ will. Quick plays negate a lot of Suh’s impact. I think they’ll use their aggressiveness against them.
and that was my point, I don’t think they have anyone to make these “quick slants.” Their best chance is to somehow establish the run and have the D shut the Lions down, maybe score a TD or set up a few FG’s.
I’m assuming that Crabs is healthy enough right now. He could have a huge game if Disease and Walker get locked up and Gore gets checked-down.
But I don’t think Crabs is ready for a breakout game, another reason I think we get “Dennis’d” this week……….
Yeah, and those could be two clear har(baugh)bingers but I don’t think so…..I don’t like to handicap games by *who did what against which team*. That’s why I’d never play in a fantasy league like the one you guys are in. Week to week, anything could happen. You know who players are over the course of a season. Rotisserie rules. Sounds like something Dennis got you guys into…….
I look at a game and just that game, especially in football. Where is your greatest weakness? Where is your opponent’s greatest strength? To me, that’s how you break football games down, it’s a complicated mix and match. It’s not about breaking it down to a single death threat each game like some would try to make you believe……
But Dennis has his mathematical approach and it’s rock-dead-solid at least in his mind. As I understand it, here is the formula: Take Smith’s draft round number and the number of his previous head coaches. Then take his offensive coordinators and multiple them by 1. Seems easy enough. Take the number of his injuries, add 5 to that, and then divide that by pie and then subtract that number by the exact number of times Dennis made death threats to Alex Smith. Add the number of times he’s talked about being at “The Catch Game” and then subtract the number of times he’s rooted for the Cowboys this year. Huge, HUGE divide for the number of times he’s beaten off to Tony Romo for no know reason. And to finish this simple formula all you have to do is subtract and add the number of times he’s said “fucking mook” at this blog. Boom. You’ve got you’re self the 3rd highest QB rated quarterback in the league….
Dennis, you need a new formula, this one is making you look stupid……….
y2(x) + Ay(x)y((a − x)/(1 + bx)) + By(x) = He’s still a fucking mook.
Har har Harbaugh. That’s the diff…
Alex, to mook or not to mook? Not the point, that’s old history beaten to death. He’s okay, mook or not. Point now is COACHING, Staff, JH and their abilities to acquire good talent, develop same and build a cohesive TEAM, the big pixture, right?
Think back now. Remember coaching? Ok then. How ’bout Team bigger than individual? Feeling better? Yeah okay, good. Drafting? Teaching, developing talent? Kicking the shit out of opponents, standing on their necks until they cry uncle?? I thought so!
Well good, okay then…because you have seen it for the LAST THREE WEEKS.
Feeling better now, har har…you know? Yeah thought so. You’ll be okay, just watch
And the NFL passer rating is so passé. ESPN’s Total QBR tells the real story. There the mook ranks 16th at 53.2. Tony Romo? 6th. 72.8.
And Har har HArbaugh is 5-1, right?
ha, thanks, That’s about the exact post I’d expect from you. Try to determine a formula, in between the 12 pack, that rates your idiocy on a scale of 1-10. Feel free to use your betting slips as a frame of reference. Dennis, I’m going to try to not be mean right now since you are such a fucking easy target and I had about 5 zingers that were going to send that scale into minus territory. But I will continue to target you here since you are too clueless to ever admit failure. When I assess a man, it’s not whether they are right or wrong about shit, it’s whether they can admit failure. That is the sign of the strength of a man. I’ll await your response as you re-watch the Smith-Sing face-off for the millionth time and attempt to determine meaning (and not your 3rd grade version).
Dennis, this could be a big week for you. The Niners could lose (which would make you cum in your pants especially if they lose by the spread you bet) and it will give you a chance to fire off a fresh new set of death threats to Smith. If the Cowboy’s win that’s Nirvana, right dude?
Now, the response I am accepting to get? Something that says “It is what it is, I can’t change how anyone thinks….Smith is a pussy from some dumb ass interaction I am imaging happened, everyone is a fucking mook and now I have to go beat off to my Romo porn. Goodnight………”