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 
fans have to keep the energy and noise UP. Saints are gonna get their points, we are playing great defense. Keep it up.
Ok cannot go 3 and out with 4 minutes left. The niners need some first downs here
Nice pass Smith to Davis
Have to put a drive together here. Are we might trail at half.
WTF Crabtree, catch the damn ball
Not good
Great timing for Crabtree to forget how to catch a football.
2minutes too much time!! D needles to step up
Drive killer.
why wasn’t that intentional grounding? because he didn’t mean to throw it?
definition of obvious: huge third down play coming
Yes!!!
Huge momentum killer
Awesome catch by Tarell.Get some points out.of this Dammit
Shit, the offense is not capitalizing on the turn overs!!!
Pretty fuckin conservative play calling there.
Again too much time!!!
This is what I was afraid of, Harbaugh getting conservative. Go back to passing the ball down the field!! The receivers need to know where the 1st down marker is
Good first half, no way was new orleans gonna lay down. Niner ball to start the third.
I don’t think Brees has been harassed like this ever!
play calling needs to improve. blitz hot routes need to be there. they’re saying on tv that when gore sets up to block, they send another guy as well. well someone better be open then. harper is killing them.
Some how some way Alex needs to read the blitz quicker, and do a screen to gore or hunter
Alex needs to start stepping through this pass rush and running on a few plays. That and roll out on a play or two. The offense is sitting there playing right into these blitzes………
That was BS, the clock read 00
You guys are harping on Alex? Funny, I thought he’s played very well so far.
Brees just got dropped like a bad habit
That Gore to Smith pass was the epitome of “getting too cute.”
WTF was that play call?
Come on, supposedly the Saint are not good at defending the pass!! Those third and long passes for short yardage Is not cutting it
I am telling you, Alex needs to start running the ball a little. They need to vary and mix up these plays. Designed runs, step through the rush and run, what-fucking-ever. The Niners offense has no answer for the Saints pressure.
i like your thinking on that
Most of the pre-game reports I saw said the NO defense was practicing for one thing: stop the run.