This is the 3rd straight division game for the Niners in the semi-interrupted path to the playoffs. This on paper looks like a game that should be a good old fashioned stomping. The Rams are a fairly non-descript team with what was thought to be a up-and-coming QB, Rookie of the year, SAm Bradford, and all-world RB Steven Jackson. Well, things ain’t going well. After firing Mike Martz in 2006, they’ve gone through Joe Vitt, Scott Linehan, Jim Hanslett, Steve Spagnulo (10-38!), and now Jeff Fisher.
After his rookie success, Bradford has struggled with injuries and inconsistency. The defense has been a continual work in progress, and the Rams promising 3-2 start has devolved into a 3 game losing streak.
Trap game? Looking forward to the 7-1 Bears next Monday night? Well, I don’t think so. I think we see a good dose of running down their throat, and play action. A methodical dismantling similar to the AZ game.
San Francisco 49ers Forever 
3-0 in the division games after this one.
So, who do you root for in the Iggles Cowboys game? Both teams are 3-5 and both are perennially picked as great yet suck hard year after year. Strangely, they haven’t run their respective coaches out of town, but both will be gone after this season. The good news is the loser is pretty much eliminated from the playoffs.
So I guess I want Philly to win since they are toast anyway. Not seeing either the overrated Cowboys or the gutless Iggles will be a welcome relief. That being said, I don;t see Philly even coming close to a win. They are hopeless heartless, and flat awful.
We root, of course, for a major earthquake, asteroid strike, or other such disaster.
Otherwise, you have to choose between Puppy Killer and Tony Blowsmo. Just can’t do it.
There have been studies on the trap game notion. It’s a myth. Of course, a trap game has to have some parameters- Football Prospectus, in their study, defined a trap game as any game against a sub-.500 opponent slotted between two games against opponents who, on the season, posted records above .500. The proposed “trapee” would be a “good” team- one above .500.From 1983-2006 the good team won the “trap game” 82 percent of the time vs. 81.5 percent of non-trap games against sub-500 teams.
Football writers persist with the myth because it’s a good hook for a story, but in fact there is no such thing, Of course, since the crapola team does win 18 percent of those “trap games”, the myth will be perpetuated.
A trap game is when the other team shoots the gaps and we pull the guards to pick them off for big gains. I like that kind of party!
My 1st year in football as an 11 year old I was playing DT and had no idea what I was doing. At practice our offense ran a trap. I did not come through the line of scrimmage like I was supposed to do. The pulling guard ran by me, then the RB came through the hole and flattened my ass. He ran straight over me and must have tripped because I did tackle him. The coach yelled at the pulling guard, told me great play and walked away. I had a hard time getting up because I had the wind knocked out of me. Nobody noticed because they were too busy still yelling at the guard. I left practice that day not knowing what I did so well on that play. I just knew it hurt a lot.
Didn’t something like that happen to John Choma in SB 16? He was filling in on the goal line defense because we needed more bodies. He was usually an offesnive line player, a guard. I remember dimly reading somewhere that the Bengals ran some sort of trap or sucker play and Choma, not knowing WTF was going on, just stayed at home and pretty much made the tackle by accident.
Cool…
Place yer bets men. Dragged to the front = Scoring Challenged? Hard to score when ya never play a game. Lets try Niners vs Rams:
Chuck: 31-10 Niners. Well, we saw how they did after their mini-break. They dismantled AZ pretty easily. I foresee much the same this weekend. Gone were the drive-killing Cappy Capperson plays. The Niners ran at will, and thus were able to throw all night off play-action, and chew up big chunks of yards. AZ has a terrible line, and Red Skelton was pressured all night. Again, I see the same thing happening this weekend.
Phil: 27-7 Niners. Careful I might make a call like 27-7 Niners vs the Rams. Yeah the focus on Alex I don’t go there…
Grumpy Guy: 31-3 Niners. Yeah, we should beat the Lambs pretty comfortably. Their defense is not *that bad* statistically – but this is a case where i think stats are biased. How many yards and points does it take to beat a team with a lousy offense? Enough to get a comfortable lead, and then you run out the clock. I think we get 240 yards passing, 210 rushing, and win 31-3.
Twinfan1: 34-10 Niners. Rams *should* be a relatively easy win but we all know how that is. As with the other teams in the division, we’re better on both sides of the ball. I’ll go with the “easy”- 34-10 Niners.
Chico: 27-10 Niners, though if Nate Silver had the Rams winning by 17, I’d go with the Rams. 😉
12th man: 28-21 Niners. Well not that you bothered asking me Phil, and it hurt my feelings BTW, but here it is: Niners 28 Rams 21, lambs get fleeced. ( lol, phil)
barleyfreak: 25-7, Niners. The Return of The Vernon, Big day for Davis — 2 TD’s
Akers is 3 for 3, Justin Smith gets his 1st sack of the year. In the end zone. Rams only score once, but with their defense.
NoFear49er: 32-17 49ers. I think the Rams getting Amendola back might be able to move the ball with Jackson being a threat on the ground we can’t ignore. I also think we should have been able to come up with some plays to get the ball to Vernon this week if that was the problem. My only worry is their pass rushing DEs. But I think we attack the Rams mostly on the ground since our o-line’s run blocking and Gore can’t be stopped. 3 TDs, 3 FGs and a safety just to make things interesting. 2 TDs and a FG for the Rams. 32-17 49ers.
Flavor: Niners 24 Lambs 16. I’ve been picking the Niners to win huge each week but I just don’t see it this week. I think we start a little slowish and just sort of sludge our way to a victory (hopefully). Niners 24 Lambs 16
41-0 49ers!
Why so pessimistic? But….the guard stays home right? I’ll laugh if ya win this week Bergs…
rtfirefly: 23-7 Niners because they rest Frank for the real games.
“So, who do you root for in the Iggles Cowboys game?”
Trick question?
Favorite team? 49ers
Second favorite? Whomever is playing Dallas
I’ve wondered how I’d feel if one day Dallas had to beat a team for us to get into the playoffs. Talk about conflicted. I think in the end, I’d have to miss the game, climb a mountain and meditate on top, wondering about the meaning of existence. Then, upon returning to civilization, check the playoff schedule.
” Then, upon returning to civilization, check the playoff schedule.”
Over a cold one right?
Yes. Possibly two.
Hey, Dallas can win every once in a while. As long as it helps us or sn’t aginst us, and they don’t reach the playoffs? Perfect.
When you have Romo, Witten and Dez Bryant on multiple fantasy teams, the answer is simple..How bout dem Cowboys!
No, the answer is you get 40 points tomorrow and still lose . . .
Phil, I’m still searching for a reason to pick the Rams tomorrow. It’s tough making a case for the St. Louis. I just might have to succumb to peer pressure and pick the Niners. I just might…
Tough choice Del…
The United States of America is a Constitutional Democracy. It is not a Republic. France has Republics. England taught us, with John Locke being one of premier idealists behind the Bill of Rights. 23-7 Niners because they rest Frank for the real games.
Ok Rt got it
Hey we’re almost back to abnormal around here, that’s good. So g’nite gotta catch my desperately needed beauty rest before the 5:25am kickoff.
You forgot some predictions, Phil:
*Dick Morris, FoxNews: Romney 325, Obama 213. ”It will be the biggest surprise in recent American political history,” Morris said. “It will rekindle the whole question on why the media played this race as a nailbiter where in fact Romney’s going to win by quite a bit.”
*George Will, The Washington Post: “Romney 321, Obama 217.”
*Karl Rove: “Romney 285, Obama 253. He’s got Romney winning Ohio, Iowa, Virginia, Colorado, and Florida. ”
*Newt: “Mitt Romney will win big tonight. . . . Despite intense efforts, Obama will lose both Ohio and Pennsylvania. . . . One of the big Wednesday morning stories will be why most of the polls didn’t have this right.”
*Rush Limbaugh: “All of my thinking says Romney big. All of my feeling is where my concern is. But my thoughts, my intellectual analysis of this — factoring everything I see plus the polling data — it’s not even close. Three hundred-plus electoral votes for Romney.”
Creative insults I can do, politics not so much
There was a recent election? I must have missed it…
Let’s hope our Niner calls are a lot better
First off, I’d just like to say Happy Veterans Day and thanks to all the men and women who are currently serving and/or have served our country to make it truly the land of the free and home of the brave. It’s an honor and privilege to live in our great nation. Thank you.
Now on to my pick…the only way I could see the Niners losing today would be if somehow the team bus got highjacked on its way from the hotel to the ‘Stick and it forced the Gold Rush girls to suit up and play. And since I did my bus highjacking for the week yesterday, I’m unavailable today. But I can’t pick us to win. That would just be un-American of me. I’ll say the wrong sport teams show up, and we play one more baseball game.
Carlos Beltran goes yard and St. Louis beats San Francisco 3-2.
Only one TD pass for Peyton Manning today? Maybe it was a good thing we didn’t sign him…
Looking sharp coming out of the bye on that first drive. Did we insert Scott Tolzien yet?
Flavor may be right- close game?
Let’s hope.
I didn’t have a good feeling about this game this morning after seein the Giants get spanked, and even more so now.
And this was before the Ram touchdown
Wow. Little resistance there.
Home run Beltran!
Jesus H. Christ. Do we look asleep at the wheel…
I am not going to let this shit go anymore!!! Running on third and long is just plain stupid!!! Nolan, Singletary, and now Harbaugh, very little has changed!! Unless he Niners get aggressive with the passing game it will be just like last year!! Win some playoff games but will not get to the SB!! Keep this post Chuck. Cause unless they develope a passing game…oh and how did the Rams just score????
They threw a screen, not a run.
A screen, a run no difference when it is third and 13
Crabtree makes ’em play for the blitz
pay
What in the fuck was that on 3rd down?
They are trying to establish the run. So far, ehhh.
Need thr d to step up. They are giving up 6 per riun
Team looks like shit in both sides right now.
Playing the nickel. They are killinhg us at the line. And playaction. No resistance.
Lot of penetration by the Rams D in our backfield
This game is looking like the Minn game right away.
That was fucking too easy. This is so bad, I don’t think even Peyton Manning could help us today.
Not unless he plays defense, too.
Wow. Not a good start. Run D is non-exsistent
Another lousy drive by the offense, and it could be a long day.
The Niners picked up receivers in the off season. When the hell are we going to see a 5 wide out play?? Never, depend on your defense to win games!! Not going to the SB this year.
Pretty fucking bad. Here comes a 3 pick day by Smith. We all know what happens when he has to throw too much
Of course it will be, down 14, the D knows the Niners have to pass, pin the ears back and let the Dogs go!!
He’s had one 3 pick day in 3 years.
Fucking Ginn has run 3 times toward the sideline right into massive coverage
If I see two runs on this first series I know they will lose this game!!
Shit.A few more hits like that and it’ll be Kappy time. Ugly.
Break out the Detroit Tigers excuse — they’re rusty…
Tim Ryan is an idiot. Put Alex in the spread. The defense is still on vacation; we need to score today.
Great run by Gore but didn’t it look like he and Alex almost didn’t make the handoff?
We’re just not in sync right now.
I’d like to be a fly in the wall in Fangio’s booth — but, I’d need tiny earplugs…
Patience, patience. Do not turn the ball over. Ground, pound and wear ’em down. The 4th qtr is ours.
PASS THE BALL GREATER THAN 10 YARDS!!!
First play they don’t do that.
Rams seem to know what’s coming.
2nd and 17 and we run the ball. Did we fire Harbaugh yet?
A run on 2nd and 17?…
Yep, going to lose, let’s just run on every fucking down!!!
Have to go for it
They will punt!!!
This is the kind of game where Niner’s D has to force a turnover or two like last year…
Yeah, your D is suppose to win games for you!!
Relax. Not even half through the second quarter…
A run and we lose yardage
Go for it huh Grump?
got it
Way early. This is a good test to see how tough this Niner squad really is…
If they have to measure, then that is on our offensive line!!
1st down Kev
That is just awfull, I don’t care if it did get the Niners a first down!! They could not 1 yard so no measurement is needed!! Bulllllshiiiiitt
Wow, I’m seeing screen passes by the Niners. That’s something I haven’t seen much of in a long time…
The running game is going no where,
Screen?
I didn’t get that call by the Rams taking that penalty — they had the Niners at 4th and 1, and Harbaugh probably takes the FG. Now, a nice TD by Crabby — really doofus call by Fisher…
Thanks Jeff
Why didn’t Jeff Fisher decline that penalty? He just gave us a free 7 pts. I’d fucking fire his ass right fucking now. That was beyond being a fucking mook…
Not sure what Fisher was doing there, but big play for Crabs/Alex . ..
Niners got a break with Rams taking that penalty! Harbaugh would’ve kicked FG. TD!!!!!
How did they score??? Passing!!! And don’t give me that crap that the running game set that up!!! The running game has been going no where!!
Crabs has learned to evade would be tacklers these last 2 games and found a way to score.
That play was the same one that Crabs ran and crippled Peterson.
I’m serious. Fire Jeff Fisher now!
That’s what’s scary = you’re serious…
Gee, Kevin. I think the 4th and one conversion meant something.
That was not my point Chuck, they had to measure?? Really???
Hell of a sequence for Crabtree.
They need to get out of the nickel ans stop Jackson.
Ok. D got a nice rest. Time to clamp down
If Jeff Fisher still has a job next there should be a goddamn investigation into the Rams’ ownership. Fire his ass now!
Wait til halftime
get serious Dennis
9er Special teams returns and covers, without looking at stats, don’t appear near as good as last year. Anybody have any reasons?…
I hope Alex isnt seriously hurt
+1
And it”s Alex who gets injured before Peyton. Imagine that. Fuck you all.
You POS. Few QBs even get up from that hit let alone go on to throw a TD pass..
Kappy had BETTER learn to tuck that ball away when he runs, or he is going to lose it!
Wally Pipp?
Holding.
A member to the training staff just took Alex’s helmet away. Kaep doesn’t see the field worth a shit. It’s too bad Tolzien isn’t active…
Give the kid a few snaps Dennis, jeeze your hard on people.
doesn’t look like Alex is coming back, looks dazed.
If he *only* has a minor concussion from that hit, I’d count him lucky.
There is a reason Alex is the starter. Kap has potential, but Alex is still clearly the best QB on the roster. I was afraid as soon a she took that hit – that was brutal.
agreed, but here we are, they have to play so lets use what skills we have
‘Smith is done.That hit knocked him silly.
Kappy’s got his work cut out for him.
Frrakin Lambs are gonna pin back and go after him hard.
yeah but we can use that aggression against them if they do. It’s all about scheme now.
Doubtful Alex comes back today. Time for Kappy to show his stuff, whatever that is…
Now we will get to see just how good/bad Kappy is. Oh and now it will be a run heavy play calling. Wouldn’t want to disappoint the fans!!
wow, run, run and run again inc Kap.
That is the worst punt I,ve ever seen!
D is waking up. Shanked the Rams punt
Kap needs to settle down, he’s just looked a little anxious. The TD to Crabs was big. They can take their time now.
agreed.
The hot dog vendors had to dodge that punt.
lol RT
great punt from Lee.
Playing not to lose is not going to win games, short pass to get better FG position, are you kidding me!! Seriously!!
I think they are trying to give Kap a few easy completions to get him going Kevin, give him a little time to settle.
Might have to bring that same fan back in the commercial to chew out the Niners at Halftime.
Alex has concussion = twitter
big down here
QB who takes over if Kappy gets hurt — Kyle Williams…
good question
Not a question. That’s the answer…
Kap does bring some weapons that Alex doesn’t have. Hopefully coaches can adjust to the onslaught of blitzing, Kap will face in 2nd half
Backup QB = Kyle Williams?
Yep…
If we lose Kap the defacto QB is Frank Gore 3 downs at a time.
Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever seen that…
What a ballsy call by Fisher.Freakin amazing.From your own endzone?Wow.
it sure changes things for the second half.
If the Lambs blitz, they will find out how fast Cappy is.
Whatever Roman knows of “the pistol” offense, he better start firing