Here we are. Moving toward 10/14/12. A date that must have been circled on a lot of 49er calendars. The NFC Championship rematch. The next test on a 49er schedule that is getting toward some tough games, including their first 2 division games after the Giants roll through town. The last time these 2 teams played, we had the tragedy of Kyle Williams and the 2 muffed punts altering what very well could have been the 49ers Super Bowl run and ring #6 for this storied franchise.
Knowing how hard it is to REACH the Super Bowl, and how close this team was last year, makes this season even more important. There are perennial tough teams, like, say the Falcons and Iggles in recent memory, who have been at the doorstep numerous times, only to be jilted and denied. The Niners as they are comprised right now, have a solid nucleus of starters, backups, and coaches who are all on the mission. The window is wide open, for at least the next couple of years, before they have to make some big decisions regarding how to keep the core of coaches and players relatively intact.
So, as of now, this team has as good a chance as any other to with the whole thing. Validating this thought would mean a victory over Eli Manning and the New York Giants. The 49ers are coming off 2 resounding victories over the other New York teams to the tune of 79-3. Granted, these games were merely tune-ups for the real thing this weekend, but you had to like the deep passing game that emerged from the Bills game. This has been a priority for Harbaugh to develop this aspect of the offense, and is a welcome sight. The run game is clicking on all cylinders.
The Giants? Well, they appear to be coasting already. They’ve lost a couple awful games to the Cowboys and Eagles, and struggled to beat the Bucs. Even Cleveland posed a bit of a struggle for them. Manning is doing pretty well (10 TDs, and 5 INTs and a 96 QBR), and their offense is going pretty well. Not surprisingly, they get their yards through the air. Which has led to turnovers. That being said, their defense isn’t what it used to be. They are 14th in points allowed, and 23rd in yards allowed (22nd vs pass; 16th vs run).
But (there’s always a big but), this means nothing for the game this weekend. The Giants also have this game circled on their calendar as a way to get back to respectability. The Niners are considered a top team, but seeing as they are geographically challenged, they get little to no national press. The Niners are the first team in history to gain 300 yards in the air and on the ground, yet all you hear about from ESPN is how the 2-3 jets should be involving Timmy Tebow in the offense more.
As usual, it takes games like this to gain national recognition (and you know that Jim Harbaugh uses this kind of back-handed dissing as fodder during the meetings) for a team like the 49ers. If they win, it’s the fact that they beat the vaunted Giants that gets them some national press. Lose, and they are the cute back story about the team the used-to-be relevant. I mean, look at all the angst that swirled around ESPN and the sports world in general when the Niners flattened the Jets, and how Carlos Rogers comments of the Jets quitting was a call to arms of sorts for the Jets. Every hour had at least 15 minutes of hand-wriniging over what the Jets should do going forward, and how they can address the mean comments of Rogers.
Steve Young had a great line after last night’s game where the Jets played a pretty good game vs Houston but lost. All the commentators talked strictly about was the Jets. Hou goes 5-0, and it was all about how ‘respectably’ the Jets lost. Young’s comment was “2-3 gets you all this?”
Forty Niners Forever 
I haven’t seen it from put out from 49er land yet but, Alex may have a sprained finger on his throwing hand. That could be trouble if true.
It’s true but not sure how it affects him Sunday. Harbs said ‘it’s a concern’. Good point. Where’s the Kapinator?
Alex practised and apparently will start.
Harbaugh said it was a concern. Smith said it wasn’t a problem. I guess we can hope it gets better soon. But get Cappy Capperson a few more reps.
I would like to so Alex and Kap on the field together for a few snaps too, very confusing to the D.
If Harbaugh is talking about it, it’s nothing.
If it was something, Harbaugh would glare at the reporter like he was a dumbshit for asking about it.
Hahah funny true Grump. Nice decoding.
Concerning yer hopes for the Niners O improving this year- 3rd down, RZ, QB rating, etc. Look at Sando’s comments @ October 9, 2012 at 4:03 pm above. I’d say we’re doing what needed to do to keep improving
see
Manning is a great QB. He is clutch. But I think the Niners are due for a smack down of a GOOD team. At home. On a roll. Against the team that knocked them out at home last year. The reason I think that the spread will be so high is that JH and company are showing something that has been noticeably absent in the past — petal to the metal, step on their throat, run up the score, beat them to a pulp. I think they mess with Manning, sack him, hit him, pick him off, AND have a far superior TOP ball control, keeping him from scoring.
Of course my predictions run hot and cold. But right now, the Niners are hot. I’m sticking to it.
Barley currently the Niners are 4 1/2 fav with 43 being the O/U. So at least to attract betting, Vegas expects a similar game to last year. Since the home team get’s 3 it means Vegas see’s Niners as slightly better than the Giants.
I like the idea of a statement game beat down of a recognized team and it’s very possible given everything in recent history and the way the team has played the last 2 games. Giants are tough and will also be ready to play, Eli is as you say clutch but overall the Niners are a better team than last year and I haven’t seen the same with the Giants so IMO Niners win, the only thing is by how much.
I also am a huge fan of Harbs running up the score, an in your face attitude they have not had maybe since Steve Youngs days. I remember Mooch turning down the gas and we lost the game (forget the team) and Owens calling Mooch out on it for holding back so as not to embarrass his friend.
I would be overjoyed if they get stomp the Giants and keep it up to the end, fingers crossed your intuition is hot this week.
Yep well said Man
R.I.P. Mongo. AKA Alex Karras.
Saw him a couple times near the end of his career, and he was non-stop all the time, every play. No matter how bad the Lions were at any particluar time.
I realized after watching those clips my kids haven’t seen the movie, gonna fix that tonight.
R.I.P. Mongo
That and Young Frankenstein are 2 of my all-time Mel Brooks favorites.
+1
I can’t count how many times I’ve watched YF and still laugh. At the same parts. Every time. Also — since we’re on the Mel Brooks subject, here’s a shout out for The Producers. I steadfastly refuse to watch the remake. Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder. Money.
Yeah, I’ve been trying to find that movie anywhere. That and the 12 Chairs. Zero Mostel is incredible in those.
Coach Coughlin on PFT thinks his team doesn’t get enough respect. That’s ok, it makes up for it in media coverage:
Indeed we will see coach.
He’s grasping at straws. His defense is hurting, and I think we take advantage of their weak secondary.
I hope K. Williams has the biggest day of his career this week. He has ;proven to be a very strong willed football player and a tru gamer. Best of luck to him. I would like nothing better than to see NY get burned bad this week, If we have anything up our sleeves we should lay it all out on Sunday. Big fucking game.
Ditto
Go Giants!
Uh, SF Giants, that is . . .
3-1!!!
Where’s Dennis?
He’s usually not online first part of da week but I’m sure he’s lovin’ this
+1
I think Harbaugh inputs a little something into the offense every game. The Giants have a lot to contend with, when they are watching film of the Niners/jets, Niners/bills. If Harbaugh is getting the killer instinct that Bill had, well then 49ers 31 – NY 13
Check!
5-2 ! ! !
8-3 ! ! !
Looks like the Giants may get Hakeem Nicks back for Sunday
Cool. Gives us a chance to lay his ass out. I hope Jacobs is ready. Although they might be waiting until after the bye to bring him back.
New thread is up.
New thread is up.
New thread is up.