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 
TD might help right about here
That was the biggest throw in Alex Smith’s career.
Explain? Oh TD yeah Del’s having nervous break down??
HOLY SHIT, ALEX SMITH IS A FUCKEN GOD
Wow
flavor – you’re the MAN
Now that was.his greatest run of his career!!!!!!!! Fuck Yeah!!!!!
Thanks guys yer really fucking helping me out here, pricks
Smith ran the ball down the sidelines for a TD. 2 point coversion try failed
Thanks, the regulars prolly drunk by now
Saints ball on thier own 22 with 2 minutes to go
I believe Alex audibled that 2 pt conversion into a run. He should know better, only one GREAT run (himself) per drive.
I was wondering where you were on that play DelMar. It may have been my imagination, but I thought when he called that I heard the NO defense echo the play call and adjust as if they knew something.
Some one needs to knock Sproules dick in the dirt.
Phil, your coconut went kaput? Your’re better off. I can’t stomach what’s going to happen these final 2 mins…
That 2 point play had no chance.Have to roll out for more options.
Denny may be on the floor close to passing out but he still got shit for Alex
These fucking announcers calling for Brees to do a Montana impression! F them
Are you fucking kidding me?
ahh, piss
Fucking Whitner again with the missed tackle.
See just throw it up there and let your receiver do the rest!!
Shoot out at the end. Low scoring?
Del Mar the coconut died. We’re down to tin cans and string
we just loss our feed. Thanks Phil
hahaha
Hell yeah we’re ripping off yer bandwidth over here
in honour of FH
WOO!! HOO!!
Holy shit im on life support right now,need paddles.Holy shit THE CATCH 3!!!!!
PLS describe we’re blind over here
Alex pass to VD over the middle, VD catches, gets creamed, holds on and falls over the goal line …. TD!!!
Sweet, thanks. Can’t wait to watch it tomorrow
HOOHOO! TD Smythe yeah!!!
THat was awesome. Smith to Davis is money today
What do you think of Alex now Death?.
Best game of Al\ex Smiths career
I DON’T BELIEVE WHAT I JUST SAW!!!
phil: smith threw a pass on the GL center of the field and Davis held on while being mauled by the defender for a TD. Davis was the happiest man on the field and the niners beat the spread.
One of the great playoff games in SF history. Wow!
How rank this one?
Phil, my dear friend, when you do see the replay of this final winning 49er TD drive, well, if you’re impressed with the efforts of this team and Alex Smith and Vernon Davis in particular more than I am, well, just bow your head and start Tebowing.
LOL, good stuff Denny. Yeah I’ll catch it tommorow when the circuits are clear.
I know yer heart is in the right place but it’s just so much fun ragging ya. YAHOOOOO!
Alex is not too shabby yeah most of us know that.
Final 36-32 real low scoring. Like Nipper n I said shoot out at the end
I called 38-31 so Phil with the busted internet wins the big prize. Uh what’s the big prize Chuck??
I’ll take a case a Tanduay given me druthers! Bring on the Giants
I had 33-31…
Ok I’ll give you a bottle of the good stuff snarkk soon as Chuck kicks down