In a game that wasn’t nearly as close as the score indicated, the 49ers beat the stuffing out of the St Louis Rams yesterday in one of those beautiful fall days that make Niner games all that much more enjoyable than the good old days of Giants games at the venerable, and nearly defunct, Stick. A game that started with a pre-game shoving match picked that theme right up with a lot of chippiness on both sides of the ball. Pushing and shoving, late hits, and a really terrible violation of Vernon Davis’s giblets was the theme of the day.
The Rams were coming off 2 big wins against what were thought of as bona-fide contenders in Indy and Chicago, but the 49ers made Kellen Clemens look like, well, Kellen Clemens. The Niners kept breakout rookies Zac Stacy and Tevon Austin completely in check. Stacy had 72 yards, and Austin had 4 catches for 25 yards, and was a non-factor returning kicks. The starting defense pitched another shutout, giving up only 2 FGs in the game, and were hitting everything in sight. WRs started getting alligator arms, which led to drops, and a Carlos Rogers pick.
The only real black mark was the fumble by Gore as the Niners were driving to put the game away. However, Jeff Fisher did us a solid and inexplicably tried a 4th quarter fake punt deep in his own territory. The Niners stopped it easily and salted the game away on the next play with the TD to VD. This was after recovering from being tackled by his (ahem) leg. The rest of the game was backups and garbage time.
All in all a good win against a decent team. As they have shown this season, the Niners can beat fair to middling teams. AZ did us a solid as well by losing to Philly, but then again, Philly suddenly is a contender for that last playoff spot on the back of Nick Foles’ golden arm. Philly has Deetroit coming to town while we of course have our big showdown with Seattle. After that, Philly has Chicago and Dallass (and the Vikes). The Niners have it pretty easy with Tampa, Atlanta and AZ.
There’s plenty of time to talk about Seattle, but let’s just see how they do against Nawlins tonight. I tell ya one thing, the Niner passing game was immediately better with Crabs in there yesterday.
Forty Niners Forever 
Good synopsis Chuck.
I thought the playcalling was better last week and moreso this week. Crabs certainly had some impact. We are seeing some quick hitters and some long ball 2 weeks in a row. Teams won’t be able to stuff the run if that continues. Squawks were built to beat the Niners but that backfield is all of a sudden vulnerable so Squawks will have to pick their poison as they can no longer put their DB’s on an island completely.
Looking forward to the Saints game tonight to gauge just how good the starting back 4 still is. Hopefully Brees puts them under some pressure.
Agree that Crabby opened things up for passing. And, he’s only going to get more game ready in coming weeks. With Crabbs on board, Kap looked more relaxed and definitive. That 60 yarder to Crabby he nicely laid right over the Dback and onto Crabby’s arms as he was in full stride. Alex never made a throw like that; well, at least I don’t remember him making one like that…
In real time I thought he had overthrow Crabs at first but it was a perfect throw as you say.
I can go for some crab about now.
I’m picking the opposite of Dennis. Whatever his position, I’m against it. Is it me, or what……I’m sick and tired of car commercials, jewelry ads, fast food joints, drugs for old people etc.
Dick pills, feminine products and anything ass related top my list.
I would like to see some TD passes to somebody other than Boldin and VD. That floored me yesterday when I heard the TV guys with that stat — no other Niner this season has a TD pass. Start spreadin’ the wealth now with Crabby back…
Surprised they haven’t throw to Miller around the goal line. Good pass catcher for a FB. A chip block and into the flat sounds good.
Like to see Miller used some more as well 12th.Always seems like the forgotten man even tho he starts.Kap use to toss a wheel route to him in the past for big gainers and now they never try that play.
Bummer for Fullbacks their really a dieing breed now.Few teams use them.
Hey Kat! I figured Miller would be the main beneficiary of losing Walker, becoming the new swiss army knife but it didn’t happen. Underused skillset IMO.
I think Miller had as many targets as Crabs, and as many receptions.
How ’bout those o-line replacements on the left side? Shut down the mighty Quinn.
A.Boldin and V.Davis are as happy to have Crabs back as Crabs is to get back. CK7 is even happier. I never figured Crabs would look so ready to go forty-some snaps.
Still need some work on converting 3rd downs though.
Vernon learns the lesson of the lowly cup. Dollars to doughnuts he had one in place for the leap.
I saw 1 to Miller NF but again I was commenting in general about the lack of use of Miller other than lead blocker not specifically the Ram game..
Boone is a bona fide LT playing in the wrong spot on the line (RG) and doing it very well.
Looney had a good first game I thought.
Well if VD continues doing those leaps he will be missing those “Doughnuts” soon.
Someone will really drill him.
Bet the coaches will say enough of that,we need you healthy for the playoffs.
I almost fainted when I saw the stop-and-go to Crabs. Worked to perfection, and Kappy threw the perfect strike. Hey, if Boldin and VD are the only ones to score TDs, let it be. Sure, they should be more diverse, and I’m sure Crabs will get one soon, but if they are the ones getting open down there, go with it.
Yeah, you’d think they’d try a chip route with Miller off play action on the goal line. That’s my next wish to see happen. Some kind of play like the one they used VD on last week.
(They’ve taken care of the slants and stop-and-go’s).
They did begin to diversify the playcalling last week and added to it this week. With Crabs back I hope to see more diversification.
My next wish is to see some hurry up from time to time to surprise the D. As Winder said over on Skeebs the D gets a 25 second blow every damn play.
Hey maybe if Roman keeps reading your blog we will run out of things to bitch about??? Nahhh.
Ready for this Monday night game, a little extra emphasis today!
Go Niners!!!
I don’t hate the Seahawks. I do, however, despise their coach, their PEDfed team, and most especially their wannabe never were so-called fanbase.
Can somebody please run the clip again of the Kingdome imploding? Having been there for a Mariners game once (I kept waiting for a fly ball to hit one of the hanging, overhead speakers. Alas, not to be that day), I truly enjoyed that precious moment.
How are the SuperSonics doing?
Hey 12th man,
I saw somewhere this morning that both players had four targets and two receptions. Just making the point that Miller has been very much involved in the passing game. He was the #1 target more than once IIRC. I think he has more targets than Frank on the year.
Not a lot of choice given the injuries and personnel packages we use but that is bound to change now. Now if we just had someone to run go routes.
Maybe once Patton’s foot heals, he can run a few. He’s not a real burner, but he might be faster than Crabby…
That’s my hope as well. Seems we have more of a collection of slot-types besides Vernon on the seam routes now and then.
You may be right NF, I haven’t looked up his stats to make a point or anything. It feels like Miller is not really involved other than as a battering ram to me with a spot play here or there maybe. I say every game to find the ball on any run play just home in on Miller, it’s very predictable. Frank has been poor in the pass catching area for several years now so Miller getting more opportunities than Frank would not be a surprise to me, as few as they seem to be.
Much happier overall with the playcalling.
Sarkisian left UDub today for USC. Maybe UDub could pick up Roman…
Game over. NO sucking big donkey dick!!!!
Brees away from HomeDome not all that. I don’t know how this game has gone, just flipped it on as I got home from work. 17-0. He better get it going, Alex Smith could keep it closer than that…….
I’ve pretty much sucked on my football predictions this year, but I think New Orleans still wins this game.
A prediction that better not be right: Kansas City 9-7…
How can that dwarf not take any big hits with all the damn scrambling he does? One good hit and the Squawks are in trouble, come on Saints fer goodness sakes.
Gruden makes a strong point, The Squawks receivers are playing high/low and all run in the same direction as the QB when he scrambles giving him easy completions on designed or busted plays.
I’d love it if KC went 9-7 as it would improve our 2nd round pick. And I really don’t think Seattle blows this lead.
As much as the Hawks are the hated assholes, you can’t help but admire Wilson’s game. If Kappy gets a sense of the field anywhere near as good as Wilson, he’ll be all-pro.
I hear a fat lady singing…
That’s just one of zebras counting his Christmas cash.
12th that is the exact reason I get so pissed off at the Niners and their offensive philosophy. Especially when Smith was here. Whenever Smith broke contain, the WRs would all go deep. So while Smith is running for his life, the WRs all have their backs to him. There was no comebacks or even dragging toward him to give him a target. I still see a lot of this happen when Kappy gets flushed.
It’s the curse of the Mooch lingering on. Jed’s gonna need more time to exorcise all Papa’s shit
Well I have to give due where it’s merited. Squawks pass rush has been strong and so much for my theory of a makeshift back 4 being less effective. Squawks will take some beating in the parrots cage.