Well, no, but hey, lots of people think this could decide the seeding for the playoffs. As in who gets home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. I don’t think it is this dire this early, and a LOT of things can happen between now and January. As it is, though, the Niners aren’t getting any love from the national media regarding this game. No one expects then to win. Except for Chris Berman. He’s saying 24-23 Niners, but he is a big Bay Area sports fan. I had the pleasure of meeting Berman at the 1998 Pro Bowl in Hawaii (you know, the one where Steve Grogan and Derrick Thomas got thrown out for fighting). Me and a couple friends made the trip and stayed in the Hilton Hawaiian Village. We threw our shit in the room, and went down to the outdoor bar. 5 minutes after we sat down, Chris Berman and his wife sit down at the table next to us. Of course we start talking football, and within 5 minutes we are all sitting at his table talking baseball. Funny thing is, he says he’s a huge SF Giants fan and really isn’t into football all that much. But he did say one of his biggest thrills was being on the field for the Catch game, when ESPN was barely off the ground. The guy was incredibly nice, and we sat there for about an hour and a half drinking beer and shooting the breeze about the pro bowl, football, and mainly the Giants and how he really wanted them to win the World Series.
Uh, anyhow, back to the game. This would not be a season-killer to lose in Lambeau. Winning in Lambeau is a tough not to crack in the worst of times. Nowadays, with Aaron Rodgers and his high-flying offense, the task is even that much more daunting. The question for me is how does OUR offense look? The preseasonw was a mix of running, vanilla passing, and little imagination in the red zone. You know, a lot like last year’s offense. This year, however, we have much better WRs (the M&Ms), a better short-yardage guy in Brandon Jacobs (boy, did the NY GIants miss him the other night?), and some speed burners in AJ Jenkins and LaMichael James. Problem is, Jacobs, and LMJ are dinged up and may not play, and AJ may not suit up. Although Ginn is nursing an ankle, So I’d think AJ is in the lineup.
So, my key to this game is to get on top of GB early by being aggressive. Green Bay’s corners last year were sieve-like in their coverage. Tramon Williams and Charles Woodson are returning as the starting CBs. The ones who gave up nearly 300 passing yards per game. Worst in the NFL. The flip side of that is Woodson’s 7 picks, and Williams 5. They took a lot of risks, and were VERY-hit-or-miss with their coverage. Still and all, for all the yards given up, their DBs picked off 25 passes. I would hope to see Randy Moss get some substantial playing time, because he’s big and tall, and we need to see if he still has something to offer besides mentoring and teaching. Manningham is another big target, and I want to see this offense move the ball and score TDs.
Defensively? Well. If the Niners can get on top of GB, they can bring the house against Rodgers. NY did it fairly easily last year in the playoffs IN Lambeau. Pressure him, flush him from the pocket, and keep hitting theitr WRs.
Like I said 28-20 Niners.
Forty Niners Forever 
Dennis is busy with numbers instead cleaning the stable.
I never clean the stable the day before a Niner game. It’s gonna look like a cyclone hit it tomorrow. Why bother? I’ll try and p/u the shovel on Monday if I’m not too hungover. Who am I kidding? Make it Tuesday.
Definitely Tuesday…
Mucken stalls, some has to do it.
It will be a cheerful task when the Niners pound old Rodgers and GB into the dirt.
someone. Jeeze I gotta watch what I type
Peyton won his only Super Bowl when Tony Dungy was in charge and brought the Tampa 2 with him.
John Elway is in charge now. He sucked as a car dealerhip owner, but I do believe he QB’d 4 Super Bowl teams and coulld outrace another athlete-turned exec Dwight Clark Former General Manager of the Niners. in a game of “How Do Spell Cat”.
Undead Dead’s team is gonna get smoked this year.
I’m not sure if My Guy Nate could beat Dwight, though. I’ll have to see him playing for the Venom!
Winder, that’s a beautiful pic in your avatar. Is that near you in Oahu? I’m jealous. I’d like to be there myself. Almost as much as I wanted Peyton Manning to be here.
I wish it was. That is one of my all time favorite places. It’s a place called Pyramid Lake. It’s in Nevada off of 395 going toward Susanville from Reno. It is a Glacial lake with beautiful water and if you have a few beers it looks something like landscape from another planet. I watched too much Star Trek when I was a kid. lol
My brothers’s team, the San Diego Chargers, smacked Peyton dpwn hard in the prime of his career, the Chargers a nobody and Indy (what a useless town, have you ever been there)?) huge favorite.
Then they repeated the performance thie next year. Tony Dungy was sorely missed.
Peyton’s not the best ever, despite all the hype. Roger Staubach, Fran Takrenton. Better QB’s then Peyton.
But he sure is unbelievable when he is healthy.
“Tarkenton”. Better Scramble than Lose is a pretty decent little book.
Staubach and Tarkenton better than Manning? That’s preposterous. Capt. Spaulding wouldn’t even say something so outrageous. Best you go see Dr. Hackenbush and have a nice long session lying on the couch.
As to GB’s INTs in Chuck’s OP: I wonder how many were picks of desperation passes after teams were deep in the Rodgers Hole? It’s easy to get more picks when your QB is forcing the other team to throw 30 times just in the second half.
The trick is not to get stuck down in that hole to start with.
That’s for sure! DBs gotta shut down the pass attack so we can get some early pressure on AR
Zits vs. Kershaw
Alex vs. Rodgers
There’s a lot of money to be made tomorrow.
There sure is. If you’re betting blue and green. 49ers +180 on the ML, Zito and the Giants +155. I wouldn’t bet your money.
Dennis, I’m sincerely worried for you-I know that you really will end it all when Alex wins it all.
And I’ve warned you before of your insane wagering practices- never bet a lot to win a little. That’s why you’re in the state facility.
Here’s a prop bet Chuck will love…O/U on the total yds. of Crabtree’s first catch is 10 1/2. You know goddamn well it’s going to be a 3 or 4 yd square out. Bet the UNDER!
Broncos are all in with Manning, they released the back up Caleb Hannie, leaving only the rookie Brock Osweiler, that’s confidence for ya.
They must love Brock…
Hanie did not look very good when he replaced Manning against us. Who knows? Maybe they’ll pick up J.J., who is still floating around.
It says they made space for a lineman, didn’t sound like they are looking for a replacement but things can change.
Times have changed. If money wasn’t a problem, Elway would have kept Tim Tebow to watch and learn from The Master. 1987 all over again.
No one can possibly believe that they think Manning doesn’t still face a significant injury risk. If they’re really going with just the rookie, I think that’s a big mistake, IMO.
agreed
I know one guy who thinks it’s no problem…
I could dance with you until the cows come home. On second thought, I’d rather dance with the cows until you got home.
Did somone call?
Oh, Dennis. Can’t help yourself, can you? Yeah, every QB’s a hit away from the disabled list.
But to think your list means anything is ludicrous. IT’s retarded, even for you.
A chart that shows a QB’s starts and games missed due to injury is irrelevant? That’s almost as asinine as your Raider pick to win the AFC West. Next you’ll be telling me completion % and YPA don’t matter either. You just don’t like who’s #25 on the list. Tough titty.
It was a damn close thing last year for Denny…coupla punt returns from the big dance. He dodged one there but I don’t think it will be the end of the woild for him if we do go- and win. What would happen when that fixed belief collides with SB trophy VI? Love to find out.
And to answer your question, NO today is not a “Must Win” game. I’ve already put this one in the loss column. And although none of will admit it as well, I’m sure you’ve put this one down as one of the 5 or 6 L’s (depending on your prediction) for the season.
Next week vs Detroit will be a “Must Win.” Fall to 0-2 and the natives will not only be restless, but they’ll be throwing cabbage and tomatoes at the starting quarterback.