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 
Why are we burning a.TO there?
I know I haven’t watched a lot of games this season, but those Fox guys are so bad I thought they had Brits announcing for the broadcast here. ?
They do have two guys @ the ‘stick and they were raving about the energy of the fans around town and at the game.
Carlos Rodgers has been a godsend this year. Tebow would concur.
Jesus Christ. The Niners run the pick and roll better than the Warriors.
Not good, they are running and passing on the D! Someone on the Niners side line needs to figure out what to do against this NO D
you’d think that at half time the coaches would have changed the run game to take advantage of the NO D. Loving the secondary play o’ da niners
Nice, but at least NO takes chance with the deep passes. Scares the shit out of me. All it takes is one time to connect
Harbaugh blows a sigh of relief like all of us not giving up the TD there.
Niners Offense better get on track! Like RIGHT now!!!
Not the short pass
Run goes no where
Niners offense is stale
Defense NOT stale 🙂
Terrible play calling! 3 and out!!!
Lucky that ball wasn’t intercepted. Shoulda been caught by Kyle in the first place…
Doesnt Daryl Johnston talk like Rick Barry? Waiting for him to talk about Dr.Rosanelli hair transplant procedure.
Niners front seven is working them over. Justin Smith is one fucken stud
Our DL is starting to really dominate now. First Brooks, now Justin Smith when we only rushed three.
Man l bet a Fuckin Bull is even scared of Justin Smith.
Perfect time for video and audio to fail- too many people online in PI for the available bandwidth over here.
Following along on NFL Game Center
Now the offense needs to step up. Like I said before the game, Harbaugh going conservative and letting the d do the work
Gore yeah run the mother fucker on ’em. Score willya
that play by Smith was one of the most dominate physical displays of strength I’ve ever seen. Watch what he is doing in slow motion and think about the force he’s working against…..
Outstanding run by Gore there…..
Glad to hear D is keeping ’em in check. FG coming up?
49er’s football: torture
Giants=Niners=edge of seat
Unless you like seeing NO held to 17 points w/ 6:11 to go. It’s all about our D
Oh oh, thats a problem.
No pressure on Brees? TD natch
Fine time for Whitner to “whiff” on Sproles.
Give me short version of play by play Del, no audio, no video here
lots of time. time for alex.
Everyone knew this was coming. Our offense sucking big donkey dick, may very well do us in.
Alex throw over the defenders
Harbaugh needs to grow a pair and try one time into the EZ
roll out alex here