In a game that started pretty badly for the Niners, they managed to get it in gear and trounce the hornless Rams 35-11. Encouraging was the fact that the offense opened up once Frank Gore got some touches and the passing game started having some success for a few drives. The bad news? Well, it was the Rams. A team that seemed to be on the rise due to their 4-1-1 record vs the NFC West last year. These days, after ditching Danny Amendola and Stephen Jackson, thay are as toothless as a baby lamb. The defense is getting regularly shredded up the middle, and the Niners were happy to oblige. To the tune of 216 on the ground. 158 courtesy of Mr. Gore.
The passing game clicked for a little while as Gore loosened up the Ram defense. Kappy had some big throws to Boldin, and VD made a couple plays. Baldwin even got into the act. McDonald has been providing some nice catches, and the Niners were able to get Kappy going early by adding in some rollouts and quicker passes to get him in rhythm. It ended up working out.
The defense was shakey early, giving up a few too many 3rd downs, but settled down nicely as NaVorro Bowman had a game for the ages. Tremaine Brock had a nice breakup that Donte Whitner picked off. Whitner though handed an interception right to Tavon Austin for a big mistake. In the end though, the offense struggled in the 2nd half with a Gore fumble and a bunch of 3-and-outs. Still and all, a road in on a short week will be gladly taken by this team. Rest up and scheme up for the upcoming Houston game in 10 days. At least for this weekend, I’m a Texan fan.
Forty Niners Forever 
Man, the Redskins are coughing up the ball and still losing to the Raiders. I guess Washington decided to get a head start on our government and shut down before they do early Tuesday morning.
Only in America!
Party in the black hole.
Hard to beat QB statline: 28/34 327 4 0
Not too shabby QB statline: 24/41 288 3 2
Happy for Alex Smith. He really spread the ball around, too.
Nofear – I’m really happy for him too not just because we might get a high rd pick, but because even though I was glad to see him go he proved to be a pretty good guy and a very tough football player.
Hey Winder,
I’m kinda happy to see the 2 INTs. I didn’t see those plays but maybe an indication that he’s loosening up a bit and having some fun.
I saw em both and I gotta say they were textbook Alex. lol
nice to see you two. winder- give the man a break, he has a 3-1 td to int ratio since 2011.
btw, i’m having another contest for the major league postseason. nice prize as always. join in, you don’t have to accept the prize, you just can play for bragging rights. the contest details are at the link below and craig will repost them this evening. the invitation is for all who post on chuck’s blog. he’s in. snarkk and flavor are in and several more. maybe i’ll do a comment here again next week. i’m trying to stay away other than a comment or two a week. and ‘vanilla’ is the word .
anyone who remembers the ‘steel curtain’ will remember the great l.c. greenwood who has passed away at age 67 in pittsburgh, pa. he never made the hof but deserved to be there, imo.
r.i,p.
Totally agree. RIP.
Joe Greene got all the attention on that line, but Greenwood was special and Dwight White was no slouch. Sad to hear of L.C.’s passing.
Having watched the Texans up close for the last seven years, I have never seen a QB drop so quickly under pressure as Matt Schaub…He literally will fold into the fetal position, seconds before a defender lays a hand on him…I don’t think defenders should be credited with a sack, considering how quickly he takes to the turf….His decision making late in the game, is on par with a pop warner QB…If the Niners get any semblance of pressure on Schaub, this one is over early.
Btw, I met Matt Millen in the security line at Birmingham airport last weekend….Couldn’t have been a nicer guy…He was quite talkative for a quarter to six in the morning.
joe, you should get in the contest.
I think I will. Been busy as hell, but that is no excuse.
flavor will have a thread later this evening with updated details. if anything needs to be filled in, i’ll take care of it.
Pretty obvious, in the Houston game that, once Cushing went down, they couldn’t stop the run.
Same issues they had last year when Cushing was out.
Let’s plan on bringing pressure and another solid ground attack next weekend at the ‘Stick.
We have to keep pace with Seattle, and common opponents, as well as overall records.
Hope the OT session and back-to-back travel weeks slow them down for Indy too.
We’d better have some CBs show up for this one too.
Seattle’s Secondary had their hands full covering TEs, though they did do a decent job on Andre and the WRs in general.
Like our chances on our field with the extra rest, while they played an extra OT frame and have to travel.
new thread is up.