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 
Unbelievable how difficult the Niners are finding it to score a GD TD!…
They keep having Nowin/Singleneuron flashbacks
No TD, as usual
Whaaaat? ok then
Excellent Td play. I’m sure Tebow woulda scored 2 tds on that play though
Hell yeah he woulda
Now THAT’s a freekin’ great play action call for the TD!…
Was that the best Niner drive of the year? Certainly in the running…
Nice fucking tackling on the D.
Tebow woulda nailed that Steeler
Speaking of the Second Coming…that Bronco/Pats game yesterday was the highest rated football game in the last 4 yrs. Ya think Jesus Christ had a little sumthin’ to do with that? Regardless of what you think of Tebow, he’s GREAT for the game. He’s making the NFL money hand over fist…
And a QB who is NOT making a dime for the NFL, just had a 3rd and 3 and his HC elected to run the ball That shows a shit load of confidence…Paging Peyton Manning… Peyton Manning, white courtesy phone…
This SHOW BUSINESS. My man TT is a terrific showman and very popular with da fans
Aldon for rookie of the year. He’s unstoppable..
yeesssssss
See, play action works on FIRST down. Christ. We successfully threw a screen!!!!
That was, without a doubt, then bexst drive of Smith’s career. In terms of importance.
ZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…………. Fucking Singletary was seen in the press box.
That was shit. Way to give the D a blow there. At least they got the quarter ending break…..
WTF are these 3rd downs play calls? They’re Oh for the night on 3rd downs!…
ok now i do love harbaugh , but do you really run gore there on 3rd and 3 ?
Niners 0-8 on 3rd and 7 or less in last 2 1/2 games.
That’s shit people
They better not go to just the run!! They are only up by 7
What a fucking epic Smith–Smith exacta
Sack and strip by A Smith
Nice run on 1st down , idiots
Oh okay, lacking Tebow we’re gonna go for a FG.
I get it
They called a penalty on the Steelers on that FG attempt?
Color ourselves fortunate. Really fortunate as Frank crosses the goal line…
TD Niners!
94 climbed on back of his guy to try to block our kick = unsportsmanlike conduct = 5 yards = 1st down