<b>UPDATE: Brandon Jacobs and Joe Staley are active, Marion Manningham is out with a shoulder injury.</b>
Well, it is officially crunch time in Ninerland. We are at a crossroads of sorts as the team tries to regain the form that led to such an impressive start. The Niers were clicking along, with one minor blip, when they ran into the New York Giants. They were buzzsawed into oblivion and were bad in every phase of the game. Problem is, as this is a ‘what have you done lately’ kind of deal, the Niners are on shakey ground. Gone is the euphoria of beating Green Bay and Deetroit. Here now is the unshakeable feeling that Alex Smith may be reverting to old bad habits. the defense was pourous in these 2 losses, and the pass rush, which was so good last year, has mysteriously vanished like so many 3rd down stops.
Enter the Seahawks. A mystery unto themselves. They’ve beaten good teams and lost to iffy ones. However, they come to town to renew rivalry between head coaches Jim Harbaugh and Pete Carroll, and between Seattle GM Scotty (Happy Hour) McLoughan and his former team. These games always make for interesting fodder as Scotty has been picking up our scraps ever since he got there. Michael Robinson is still on the ‘Hawks, while erstwhile jersey-winner-for-me Kentwan Balmer has moved on to other endeavors (would you like to super size that?).
I have no idea how this plays out. But I do know that this is a game the 49er should win. If they lose, the entire program will fall under the kind of scrutiny that drove the 2 previous coaches mad. Losing at home to the Hawks would be, while not a fatal blow, it will definitely put a crimp in the search for back-to-back division titles. If Alex Smith falters in a big, or even not-so-big, way, the murmurs will start getting louder for Cappy to get more reps. I think they tone down the Cappy switch-outs, but I do hope they still use him down by the goal line.
Plus, we have the SF Giants quest to tie up the NLCS at 2 or run the risk of being shut down in 5 games. All they need is one win to take the series back to the Bay. GO GIANTS ! ! ! ! Depending on the outcome of these 2 games, I may not survive the night. Be still my heart.
Forty Niners Forever 
That was a fumble – but did we clearly recover?
Moss was wide open for an eternity! Another Smith fuck up
Another Seahawk drop.
For all the talk about defenses, the offenses have shot themselves in the feet tonight.
Seriously. Let’s all get on the same page here. Taking out Alex Smith at the goal line says it all.
We sure in the hell wouldn’t be taking out Peyton Manning in those same situations. That I know for goddamn sure.
That must have hurt, Marshawn. I know the ball in the numbers hurts. Ask Golden.
Gore is at 11 rushing, 51 receiving tonight.
111 rushing that is.
Gore is out-pounding Marshawn tonight.
Lets see if they let Smith throw down here again
No.
Come on, Alex, don’t fuck it up here.
Same 1 back sweep, this one to the right. Almost worked, and the corner got nailed.
Well. That might have been better than letting him throw tonight.
Shit. 3rd and 7 and Jimbo calls for a QB call. That’s all about don’t let Alex fuck it up again and take the for sure 3.
QB “draw” It was pussy all the way.
Given the way he has played, JH was probably correct.
Another red zone failure. Really it’s pathetic.
What’s really pathetic are the Giants being down to the Cards 7-1 in the B7. No problem. The season is on the brink tomorrow and Bochy has Barry Zito on the mound. All Fats and I can say is…
If Gore and Hunter run like tonight, you make the playoffs and maybe win one. But you never, ever win the Super Bowl with Alex smith as the qb
No question Alex Smith has regressed. He’s looking like the guy Singletary wanted to slap.
Who is in front the 4th qtr IH?
If Wilson’s WRs could hold on to a ball, we would not be, though.
Niners by 7. Can you count to 7? Should be 14. Smith fucked that up by not seeing a wide open Moss in the back of the end zone.
Even if you miss the positive play, at least don’t turn it over down there – at least get the 3. Now it’s still a one score game.
Woulda, coulda, shoulda IH. Woulda coulda shoulda.
WTF happened to Phil? Did he lose his coconut internet connection again?
Sure as fuck did. Posting this the next day….jeeez
Culliver almost had that one.