For the 49ers having already clinched the division, this Monday night showdown has a ton of playoff implications. If the 49ers win, they stay ahead of NO as the #2 seed in the NFC, while a Pittsburgh win would give them a 1 game lead on Baltimore with 2 games to go. Neither are a certainty if they occur, but either team winning would be a boost for that elusive 1st round bye. The 49ers, by losing would still get 1st round home game, byut would lose the bye week. They would drop from the #2 to the #3 seed. Pittsburgh has even more to lose. If they lose tonight, they’d fall from the #2 seed (bye week + a home game) to the #5 seed (no bye + 2 roadies).
With that in mind, Pittsburgh is now saying Ben Worthlessberger will start tonight’s game at the Stick. Little Ben showed ‘enough mobility’ in Saturday’s practice to start tonight. Which means to me, the 49ers need to show some fairly different looks early in this game. They NEED to get pressure up the middle. Skelton had no problems stepping up last week as the pressure came in from the sides. Stepping up is about the only thing that Worthless can do with his bum ankle. If Soap can’t get in on the backup center (Pouncy is out), then Pittsburgh will more than likely throw quick passes and run delays up the middle to slow down our rush, and keep Worthless out of trouble. Sending Grant in on some blitzes up the middle early, and hitting little Ben, would set the tone for the game. Letting him dink and dunk to set up the big play will not work.
How this shakes out offensively is a question as well. These last 2 games (Balt and AZ) were against teams that run very similar defenses. Pittsburgh is the same deal. Zone blitzing, overloading areas, and disguising blitzes. The good news is we’ve seen it a lot. The bad news is we haven’t adjusted very well. Hopefully by now the Niners can pick up the schemes without getting Smith killed. 18 sacks in 3 games is a trend that HAS to stop. The 49ers need to open with slants and quick passes (for more than 4 yards) that give the team favorable 3rd down situations, and keep the chains moving. The red zone just needs to be re-thought completely. I hope the extra day helps them.
Last week’s game should have been a win. They can’t leave points on the field. And, looking at how the Bolts flattened the Balts, you CAN beat an aggressive defense by being aggressive yourself. The WRs HAVE to make plays tonight. Dropping shit cannot happen. I’d put Williams as the X receiver, and try to get single coverage. Hit him deep on go routes. It doesn’t have to be a slow-developing play. Just float it out there for him when the coverage dictates. I’d try it 3 or 4 times. Ginn proves over and over that he can get open, but he just has trouble catching the goddamn ball.
Forty Niners Forever 
Defense was nails, and without Willis. Grant grew some tonite. Secondary did well, those Steelers WRs can flat burn it. If they can go up and win in Seattle, that would be just huge. It will be a tough task up there, and a short week, too…
I think these guys just might finally believe they are on to something.
Alex missed shit early and often, but he came through when it really mattered.
As long as they don’t run on 1st down in the red zone, hey, they’ll be fine.
I think we win out.
Totally agree. Fuck the 1st down handoffs in the red zone, particularly on first and goal. This defense is just getting after it. Also second the kudos to Baalke for Aldon Smith. I had no clue who the dude was. Now, he could be defensive rookie of the year. The guy can bull rush, and leverage outside, too. Give him another year to learn and get stronger, he could be better than Haley…
Aldon = 13 sacks = 49er rookie record w/ 2 games to play. Haley never did that plus he was a crazy motherfucker
Chuck, note taken: We win out IF we don’t go too conservative on offense…
(To counteract that possibility I’ve officially adopted the Minister of Dis-Information’s strategy of second guessing and dissing every fucking thought Harbaugh ever had)
Could be? This game was the lock. Everyone watched this game, and he got after it. All game.
Fucking A. That was sweet.
OL rebounded. It had to. Huge.
11-3.
Al-Don.
Drunk. Must pass out.
Be my guest barley…lol
MNF, good team, going for the bye, best game of the year. ‘Night, guys.
Take care sir…
Just got back from the game….what a great fuckin day to be a 49er fan ! Beating Pittsburg was great…no one sat down the whole game! Loud noise fucked up their offense (line calls and QB audibles) and the defense IS the best in the NFL.
It was great to see all those towels being used to wipe all the Steeler fans tears!!!!
Great report NinerDog! Gotta love those 9ers playing their hearts out!
the analysts on espn are all saying they just watched the best defense in the league …
and patrick willis wasn’t even in the game !
Did anybody notice “AllDon All the Time”?
We have some great Smiths on this team!
Musta been a blast, ‘Dog. Glad someone here made it!!
You got any pics? I’ll post ’em . . .
Best news all night was ZERO sacks.
Okay Chuck since this was a great win, you need to post the score today, not late in the week!! Aldon Smith is is going to be someone special. I wonder if Pete Carroll took notice?? be interesting to see how long before he is double teamed??
Read it and weep, Kev . . .
Prepare to pound Seattle sensless. Niners have the resolve!
N E W P O S T
E
W
P
O
S
T