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 
Wet Brain has come a long way from “worst QB in football” to “not as good as Peyton Manning.”.
So TF thinks the Manning to SF thing “isn’t happening.” Fine. That’s your opinion. But let me ask you this. If you’re Trent Baalke and Peyton is cleared medically. Is available and showed interest in coming to the Niners. Would you keep Alex Smith rather than signing Peyton Manning?
No…
Last week I had to have a seizure to avoid your constant trolling. I don’t think I want to go quite that far 😉 so I I’ll leave you to you those who appreciate you.. maybe I’ll check in after the game. Enjoy
Sorry, I didn’t know about your latest setback. I’ll all too familiar myself with minor strokes. I hope you’re recouping nicely. I’m pretty sure it wasn’t my “trolling” that caused it. I use a 1 oz Chrome Chartreuse Kastmaster lure on the end of my 10 lb test Berkely Trilene fishing line. Works every time. 😀
A trolling troll takes his toll?
They’re interviewing Braylon on ESPN right now and the motherfucker was just listed as INACTIVE for tonight’s game. If you read between the line from Barrows and Maiocco, it’s not because of injury.
He should go clubbing with Plaxico Burriss.
Prolly that’s what happened- he relapsed to moron mode…
If you believe Tim Kawakami, there’s likely to be 25,000+ Steeler fans in the stadium tonight.
Great. What in the wide wide world of sports is going on around here?
Sorry, I had my post in the comment box but Rob called and I talked to him for a half hr. and just now hit “enter.” But you’re right, Taggart. “What in the wide, wide, world of sports is a going on here?”
Great little story on Aldon Smith.
Bandwidth issues at this time of day (9:20 AM) so just going to listen and chat today. Kick off in couple minutes?
Kawakami is already making a conservative estimate that there’s 20,000+ Terrible Towels in the stands tonight. That’s disgraceful. Back in the late ’70’s and 80’s when I had season tickets, you’d only see a handful of opposing fans.
agreed
Power outage? Heard that on KNBR. What’s up?
thanks john york ! the lights just went out ! nice stadium ! just another chance embarass our franchise one more time you DICK !
hey PHILL
saw it
i say pissburgh 20 9ers 17
but i hope it’s the other way around ! after all , we do have akers !
Yeah Come On 9ers pull this one out!
So I take it the game is delayed if no LIGHTS?!
Wow we rally need a new venue…
game on !
Again we win the coin toss and defer.
Something tells me we wouldn’t defer if we had Peyton Manning at quarterback…
Hit somebody!
I think a big part of winning the physical battle in football is to instill fear into your opponent…
Fear is pain arising from the anticipation of evil. -Aristotle
fuck you worthlessberger !
go rogers !
The OL has been excellent on this drive, esp. i pass pro. Alex is sharp…
GREAT 3rd comp. by Alex to Crabs. Need to punch it in…
And as I say that, Alex sucks again in the RZ. another fucking FG.
He had Williams wide open in the end zone. Then missed Gore on 3rd down.
Paging Peyton Manning. Peyton Manning white courtesy phone…