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 
Groan…are you going to do your act even as we look forward to our first playoff game in nearly a decade. Would it really be too much to let it go for a day?
You are only encouraging him with that groan!
Gimme a fucking break, he has never needed encouragement.
Enjoy whatever your game is, DTD. The stage is yours.
My kitchen counter has an international theme, Jameson, Jose, Stoli, and J Walker.
Kev, you’re the Boutros Boutros-Ghali of booze.
Me? I’ve been sicker than Alex’s 40% completion rate inside the RZ all week. This Clydesdale can only handle Budweiser today.
Hey man there you are. Sick? Bummer. Feel better and see ya soon on here.
Prediction for us Del?
Donald trump is an ass. He goes out on a limb and picks 3 favorites to win today. Dumbass.
yeah, that “Dumbass” with a net worth of $2.9 billion is a boob.
He could buy and sell you and me like Tupperware at a Flea Market.
No one here has yet to pick the Saints to win? You left that honor just for me. That was mighty white of you. This game is going to make me feel ever more sick than I already am. They should start the IV now; 0.9% saline, 99.1% Budweiser. Lactated Ringers.
31-20 Saints.
41-20 The Golden Boy, Tom Brady. I like him more than Tebow and Romo combined. He’s gonna be President of the United States some day. Be nice to him now…
27-13 The *other* Harbaugh. The NFL might as well put this game on QVC. Nobody is gonna buy that shit.
34-27 Pack. I had originally pick the G-Men, but they’ve become the “wiseguy’s” pick of the week. I’ve been down the path of the wiseguy pick too many times before to realize — you’ll just end up looking like a wise ass who just lost money.
Fini.
It’s rob and you 4 Saints rob=21-17
Get well Doomin, unfortunately you are picking the wrong team. Come on Dennis go all in on the Niners, eating crow at the end of the day is only going to make you more sick!!! Go Niners!!!
WTF do we always defer when we win the coin toss?
Ah, yes. Faith in the defense, not so much in our QB.
We better start TACKLING that little shit Sproles, or it’s gonna be a looooong day.
If the Saints lose Graham, that would be huge.
Yeah no shit Chuck he is the one Saint reciever who scared me the most.
Defense!!!
That’s the way we do it. Fumble
Hell Yeah¡!! What a Hit by Whitner!!!!!!
First turn over excellent, I wonder if they would have gone for it on 4th down??
large, NASTY men have shown up to represent San Francisco today…….
That sucks
I don’t fault Alex for getting sacked there but there were nine fucking guys on the line. He has to recognize that and get rid of the ball or audible that play………..
and Dennis, you’ve got no idea how happy I am that all four of your picks contradict directly with my four picks. Thank you!
LOL that’s good
Lucky not to lose that Smith fumble. I guess God had just got off the phone with Tebow, and had the time to shine some light our way…
ALDON!!!
I got just ONE word De-goddamnfuckin-fense
This just in: Aldon Smith ain’t too shabby.