Ugly-ass game in Phoenix on Sunday. The offense moved the ball great, until the red zone, and the defense did great on 51 out of 54 plays. Special teams were great, until the red-flag/no-challenge/fake FG-touchdown/missed FG fiasco (the whistle blew about 1.5 seconds after the snap, thus killing the play). The pressure was there, but Soap was nowhere to be found, and thus, Skelton was able to step up and buy time. Getting shredded by Skelton, the guy who threw 3 picks against us 3 weeks ago, is pretty galling.

On offense, the blocking was flat awful. Staley went down early with a concussion, and newly signed Alex Boone took his spot, but pressure came from everywhere. 5 sacks given up. Most in the 1st half, when the Niners spent a lot of time in AZ’s red zone. It confounds me why they even have Ted Ginn playing down in the red zone. Whatever early mojo these guys had has completely worn off, and everyone seems to be able to defend our red zone offense pretty damn easily. VD was pissed at the half, but where is he on goal line plays? Walker? Crabs? Can’t any of these guys get open? We tried the fly sweep, but the snap didn’t come in time, thus, a busted play. Maybe Harbaugh’s trying too hard. Too much trickery? I mean, a fade to Edwards shouldn’t be that hard. It is much easier to hit than the back shoulder out route. Plus he has the size.

Defensively, the Niners were good until the red flag deal. A let-down on the next play, and the Niners were instantly behind. Very reminiscent of a Singletary game where we dominate everywhere but the scoreboard. The defense continually allowed Skelton to step up in the pocket to buy time and find open guys. Goldson was right there for those passes to Fitzgerald, but it’s hard to fault him. Fitz is a big strong guy, and he breads his butter that way. The tackling was bad after the catch, but the initial coverage was good. The guy is just too much for most defenders.

So, it’s back to the drawing board. The bye race looks like it’ll come to the team that wins out. News out of the league office is that Pittsburgh LBJames Harrison has been suspended one game for his hit on Colt McCoy. Worthlessberger’s status is in doubt, but still and all, this will be a tough game. Our last HG until the playoffs. With or without the bye.