Here we are, poised on the biggest game around these parts in 9+ years, and the comparisons to the 1981 team are a bit eerie. Beyond the fact the Niners are playing in the same dump of a stadium while some other teams have gone through 2 stadiums (hello Detroit) in that time frame is only the beginning. Starting with the owner, you have in Jed York a similar figure to you Eddie DeBartolo. Both are young upstarts who didn’t bring a hell of a lot of experience other than being the son of a very wealthy dad. Eddie got the Niners because his father was not allowed to own a hockey team and a football team at the same time. Jed got the Niners from his dad because Dr. John was an inept buffoon who charged the team for every bottle of water they drank, dismantled one of the greatest dynasties in sports, and let the stadium bond that Eddie fought so hard to get die on the vine.
The 1980 Niners posted a 6-10 record amidst guarded hope that the team was at least heading in the right direction under Bill Walsh. The 2010 Niners posted a 6-10 record amidst the crumbling regime of one Aluminum Mike Singletary. Walsh came in as an offensive wizard who made his bobnes under legendary Paul Brown. Harbaugh came in as an overachieving quarterback who willed his teams to improbable victories, and as a coach is being heralded as an offensive visionary who has done well in developing quarterbacks like Josh Johnson, Andrew Luck, and now Alex Smith. The 1981 season, very much like the 2011 season, started with a lot of questions, and a bit of hope. The 1981 draft provided the 49ers with a brand-new defensive backfield (minus Dwight Hicks). The 2011 draft provided the 49ers with a bunch of depth at important positions (RB, CB, O line), a starting FB, and a pre-eminent pass rusher. A huge key to the success of both teams.
Both teams started their seasons tentatively. The 1981 Niners lost to Detroit and Atlanta to post a 1-2 record out of the gate. At that point in the season, it was like, well, they could go 8-8. Wait til next year. This year’s Niners won a fairly pedestrian game against Seattle, and lost a close one at home to Dallas. At the time, I thought, well, we’ll be 8-8, but it might win the division. Let’s just keep seeing incrememtal improvement, and wait til next year.
The 1981 Niners then reeled off 7 straight wins. Along the way, beating powerhouses like Washington, Dallas, and Pittsburgh. The 2011 Niners did them one better and won 8 straight, beating playoff teams like Cincy, Detroit, and the NYFGs. Both teams finished strong to end the year at 13-3 and vastly exceeded the expectations of a hungry fan base. This team is playing with a highly rated defense and an underrated offense. The 1981 Niners were a highly rated offense with an underrated defense.
In 1981, the 49ers were the surprise #1 seed. This year, the surprise #2 seed. Forget Tim Tebow, tomorrow will be the next step to see if this truly is a magical season (and yes, even with a loss tomorrow, the season was an unmitigated success) for the 49ers that leads them and their fans to Super Bowl XLVI.
Forty Niners Forever 
The NFC Championship Game will be the late game Sunday; 3:30 PM PST
Regardless of where it’s played.
Cool. So that means it will air here at 7:30 AM Monday morning. The broadband coconut network should be pretty good then. Yesterday was frustrating with audio and video dying. Got to see the highlights later on nfl.com. Yeah still basking…
3rd and inches and Jo. Harbaugh gives it to the FB Leach?
Must have went to the Mike Smith School of Short Yardage.
If last night’s Miss America Pageant was any indication, it’s going to be a repeat for the Pack. Miss Wisconsin won. Miss NY and California were the 2nd and 4th runners-up respectively. That cheesehead bitch even mentioned Rodgers in her intro. I hope they find a sex tape of her and an ex-Belmont Stakes winner.
Huh?
Denny is superstitious, very, shaman. But no don’t think there is any correlation between Miz America and the NFL. Funny comment tho
Okay, if the 49ers can pull off a win in Lambeau against the epic Packers then even I might become one of the 49er “Faithful”. Yesterday’s game was by far the best game of the season and one of the best games I ever watched. Even though I was the only guy at the bar rooting for the Saints and had to eat shit….it was still worth it. Now I’m pulling for a Harbowl re-match in the Super Bowl…Ravens/Niners part 2…..
Yep that could be. Well got the NFC title game next. All the home teams are winning so it prolly be the Pack. Man the Harbaugh parents would be trippin’ if it’s 9ers v Ravens
I hope you noticed that I didn’t rub your face in it, Denny. It’s time to retire the Smith shtick. He’s served you well.And if your goal was to goad him into the GREATEST PLAYOFF PERFORMANCE IN 49ER HISTORY, you’ve done well..
Yep
Alex was fantastic. That was one helluva performance. He proved me and a shitload of other doubters wrong I’m happy to say. But to call that the greatest playoff performance in 49er history is a bit much. Joe and Steve had god-like performances that won this team a Super Bowl. Check back with me if and when he does that.
There’s just a little difference between shooting 64 on Sunday at your local muni and shooting 64 on Sunday to win the Masters.
As a single performance, it’s the greateast. I was going to going to give it to the “Catch” but frankly, Joe pretty much sucked in the that game, as did Steve in the GB game. And a performance advancing them in the playoffs is as important as a later one, Sorry. Like Jiggles to Tiger, you’ll always be second best to the Twinner..
But settle down, I was trying to rouse you. I think you’re better when you’re hating on Alex.
Yeah, that time when Steve threw SIX TDs to win SB XXIX wasn’t any good. A great performance in the Divisional round doesn’t equate to a great performance in either the Championship Game or SB. As the level of importance escalates so does the level of player evaluation.
Again, I’m not taking anything away from Alex. What he did yesterday was extraordinary and will remain unforgettable in the hearts of Niner fans everywhere. Especially this one. But it wasn’t the greatest all-time. Sorry. Nope.
But I know that’s just you talking your love for Alex. That’s OK. I bet if Alex rang the clown’s mouth at Miniature Golf World you’d call that a better putt than Lefty ever made.
As I said, just trying to you get back to the hateful DTD. Really, you’re going to fuck up any progress you’ve made.
Eli very erratic early on. Hit or miss big time. I think he’ll make Giants fans both exult and cringe with emotion today.
Let’s Go, GI-ANTS!!!!!!
That Packer safety wanted to make the ESPN highlights with a viscous hit but didn’t use him arms to rap up Nicks. God rightly punished him by allowing the Giants to score.
Lombardi (and others) used to say football is the game most like life. So fuck up, you will be swiftly punished. Not by God by life Dennis.
Giants got fucked on that call — twice! First when the official overruled the other and changed it to a down by contact and then again on the challenge. Looks like God is back on the Packers side now.
I bet if you asked God if he wanted French Toast or pancakes, he’d waffle.
Yeah God’s gotta root fer somebody and with Tebow & Co. meeting the Masters of the gridiron yesterday…
Dunno about God but do believe the 9ers are gonna hand somebody one heavy load to carry next Sunday
I’m as down with good D as anyone, but if I had to watch much more of that Ravens/Texans game, I was ready to gouge my eyes out. Brady and Co. will crush the Ravens….
Yeah just following along on nfl.com I slowly became suicidal but the only thing that stopped me was wanting to see how Denny responded to twin (pretty darn well). Thankfully the other game ended about then.
It was good if he can’t fucking read. I was pulling his chain, which is amazingly easy to do to a guy who is all schtick…
I notice when Rodgers receivers need 9 yards they run out 10 yards for the catch. Is this something we should do, maybe?
Good idea, can we skip their 6 drops though?
I’m looking retarded here but I can’t find this stat ANYWHERE: do you guys know where to find the team stat for rankings of red zone scoring? NOT TD %. I’m talking about total points scored when in the redzone. I can’t find that anywhere.
Tolbert (on KNBR) said something the other day that blew my mind. He said the Niners were 2nd in the league in red zone scoring (I know they’re last in td %). Either I heard him wrong or he was wrong or my mind is blown. That’s why I was looking for the stat. Any help would be greatly appreciated……
Call Tolbert’s producer and see what they got.
Chuck you need a new post, 300+ comments
What Chuck really needs is a new name and disguise for when he frequents the whorehouse. Maybe then he’d have a chance.
Hey, I’m down to 3x a week, Dennis. You?
Good one! Zing
Chuck’s been a writin’ fool what with all the playoff excitement. He’s prolly sipping bloody marys to fix what ails him
Maybe that wasn’t God, that sure in the hell was (Hail) Mary.
Well she’s the Mother of God some say so it’s gotta count. Eli heating up. Neither team has much of a running game huh?
Fine bring on the Giants and we can rock the Stick one more time. Fuck GB
Wow. Hell of a play there. Giants up by 10 at the half.
Packer D-backs went on vacation on that Hail Mary.
Holy crap that was bad D right there…
Packers need to wake up, or we’ve got an NFC Championship game at the Stick on Sunday…
We’re 30 mins away from hosting the NFC Championship Game. [no jinx]
Diggin that Giants,Rodgers under heavy pressure Fumble Rodgers.
Doubt that Rodgers has had much opportunity for 4th quarter comebacks.
He’ll need a helluva one now.
Niners are hosting the NFC Championship!!!
Fuck Yeah….49ers are gettin the championship game!!!!!!!