It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, in the case of the San Fracisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys. Let’s take a look at a couple of football games from yesterday. The 49ers/Bucs game (of course), and the Dallas/GB game. Both featured teams that were expected to do very well and reach the playoffs with ease. Well, in both cases, each team has run into some roadblocks along the way. But as of yesterday, both had their fate in their own hands.
The Niners faced a tough road game against a team that, while 4-9, was on a roll, having won 4 of their last 5.The Niners of course have gone through their share of ugly losses, and a recent huge victory over the Seahawks. Dallas on the other hand, has yoyoed themselves through wins over the also-rans, and Philly before they got hot, and took a couple big losses in the shootout with Denver (51-48), and Chicago (45-28).
So, come yesterday, both teams had build up leads at the half. The Niners however, screwed the pup by going prevent late in the 2nd quarter to allow TB to march down the field and score a TD. Dalls, had build a seemingly insurmoutable 265-3 lead on the back of some strong DeMarco Murray running, and some big pass plays from Romo to Dez Bryant and Jason Witten. Throw in 4 field goals, and there’s your 23 point lead.
While the 49ers had dominated their half, they were only up by 10, and that lead quickly shrunk to 6 points after the Niners drove for a 43 yard FG, and Tampa swithced things up by going no-huddle, and scoring very easily to mae the score 20-14. Dallas meanwhile, started their 2nd half by instantly giving GB life by giving up a 60 yard run to Edddie Lacy, and letting GB score in less than 2 minutes after the kickoff. Still, Dallas was able to drive down the field and answer with a FG of their own on a 6+ minute drive, mixing runs and passes fairly well. GB then marches down the field 80 yards in 12 plays, making the score 29-17. Closer, but no need to panic yet.
Here’s where the coaching comes in to play. Both games were now entering the 4th quarter, and both teams faced momentum shifts that had gone the other way. The Niners were only up by 6, but at this point they started pounding the ball on runs. They engineered an 18 play (10 of which were runs), 75 yard drive that burned 10 minutes of the 4th quarter. That it only resulted in a FG is of little import as the Niners had a 2-score lead, and there was little time. Dallas, who had run the ball very well all game, suddenly and inexplicably gave up on the run. So their momentum-defining drive was 2 dropped passes, and a sack. Burning less than 1 minute of clock. So they were punting from their 2. A decent punt return, and boom. 29-24, and panic starts to creep in.
The Niners were then able to salt the game away on a very high risk reverse on the ensuing kickoff, thus allowing Kendall Hunter an easy touchdown on the blown excxhange. Dallas on the other hand, was in pass-only mode. To stem the fact that Their defense was turning very sieve-like, Dallas didn’t run. They did manage a tpouchdown midway through the 4th quarter, thus extending their lead to 36-24. Certainly a big enough lead, even though their derfense was starting to gag.
Sure enough, Dallas’ defense gives up a TD-scoring drive as GB marches 80 yards in 3 minutes. 36-31 Dallas. So, instead of trying to give their defense a rest, and take time off the clock, Dallas keeps passing. Incomplete pass, sack, then the killer INT. GB by this point is doing anything they want offensively. The Dallas defense is gassed and tiring, and they give up yet another scoring drive. 50 yards in 1:30. GB up 37-36 (2 pt conversion failed). At this point it still isn’t desperation time, but it’s close. Still and all, they just need to get into FG range to kick the game-winning FG. Unfortunately (hah!!), Romo throws yet another pick to ice the game for GB.
What do we gain from this? Well, as much crap as I’ve given Greg Roman over the course of this season, he called a masterful game yesterday. He did NOT go away from the run as he had in some earlier games when the momentum was slipping away. Namely, Seattle and Indy. He stuck with the run, and was rewarded with some tough Gore runs up the middle, and some surprisingly effective sweeps from Hunter. Kaepernick had, to me, one of his best games ever, as he effectively bought time and made some huge throws under big pressure, into some very tight windows. He also ran with reckless (and effective) abandon that kept drives alive.
Dallas on the other hand, is once again looking at a statistaical marvel of a game that sdomehow slipped away amid the HC blaming his QB for calling into the pick, and the prima donna WR walking off the field with 1:30 left in the game. In other words, just another day in Pleasant Valley.
Forty Niners Forever 
“Let me hear it
Let me hear why Jason Garrett is our future. Why this idiot can hear pass after pass go through his head set without issue when you’ve got a 23 point lead and a RB averaging 7 ypc, and have no problem with passing, passing, passing to try and protect a lead. Really, somebody make a case, I need a good laugh. Also, I’ll accept apologies here for those of you who’ve lambasted me over the months for calling for JG’s head long before this display of ineptitude.
Callahan’s obviously idiot A, but Garrett’s equally to blame, the plays go through him too. I’ve never been more embarrassed to call this my team. Top 3 worst games I’ve ever watched. Absolutely embarrassing play calling, and Romo choking to top it off. Cowboys in a nutshell. Stupid, embarrassing, and chokers.
by Useful_Idiot_ on Dec 16, 2013 | 4:38 AM”
-bloggingtheboys.com
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No mention of Bryant in any of the comments that I noticed. No dissenters to this comment at all. That’s from guys that think Cowboys is a religion.
“Let me hear it
Let me hear why Jason Garrett is our future. Why this idiot can hear pass after pass go through his head set without issue when you’ve got a 23 point lead and a RB averaging 7 ypc, and have no problem with passing, passing, passing to try and protect a lead. Really, somebody make a case, I need a good laugh. Also, I’ll accept apologies here for those of you who’ve lambasted me over the months for calling for JG’s head long before this display of ineptitude.
Callahan’s obviously idiot A, but Garrett’s equally to blame, the plays go through him too. I’ve never been more embarrassed to call this my team. Top 3 worst games I’ve ever watched. Absolutely embarrassing play calling, and Romo choking to top it off. Cowboys in a nutshell. Stupid, embarrassing, and chokers.”
by Useful_Idiot_ on Dec 16, 2013 | 4:38 AM
bloggingtheboys.com
—————————-
No mention of Bryant in any comment that I noticed, NF. I’ll take the 38 TDs in 4 years. Find yourself a #1 receiver.
Testing. My reply to NF has been eaten. Spam filter?
Let me hear it
Let me hear why Jason Garrett is our future. Why this idiot can hear pass after pass go through his head set without issue when you’ve got a 23 point lead and a RB averaging 7 ypc, and have no problem with passing, passing, passing to try and protect a lead. Really, somebody make a case, I need a good laugh. Also, I’ll accept apologies here for those of you who’ve lambasted me over the months for calling for JG’s head long before this display of ineptitude.
Callahan’s obviously idiot A, but Garrett’s equally to blame, the plays go through him too. I’ve never been more embarrassed to call this my team. Top 3 worst games I’ve ever watched. Absolutely embarrassing play calling, and Romo choking to top it off. Cowboys in a nutshell. Stupid, embarrassing, and chokers.
by Useful_Idiot_ on Dec 16, 2013 | 4:38 AM
bloggingtheboys
Hmm… No mention of Bryant from any Boys fan on their blog.
bloggingtheboys
Will this get eaten? No mention of 11/153/1 being the problem.
bloggingtheboys
The name of the Boys b l o g…whence this came might be causing the problem.
No mention of 11/153/1 being the problem in any comment.
b l o g g i n g t h e b o y s (dot) com
With Miller done what might change? Courtesy of Kevin Lynch:
http://blog.sfgate.com/49ers/2013/12/16/bruce-miller-how-will-the-offense-change-without-him/
But now with Miller out, and with Kaepernick playing better each week, the 49ers might shift their offense back to Kaepernick and their personnel groupings might reflect the switch. The 49ers could go with more three-receiver sets and fewer formations with their popular “21″ personnel group (two backs, two receivers, 1 tight end).
Much of that will depend on replacement Anthony Dixon and whether he can be an effective run blocker. If not, the 49ers could try to make up for the loss of Miller with the run stylings of Kaepernick.
The lanky quarterback could be used on more bootlegs and designed runs, something he did with great effect in the last two wins over Seattle and Tampa Bay.
If there is a positive to Miller’s absence, it’s that the 49ers might now become more unpredictable offensively. As “The Dude” said in the “Big Lebowski” there are still a lot of “in’s, out’s and what-have-you’s” on how to replace Bruce Miller.
Thanks Phil. It will not be an easy task replacing Miller, but Harbaugh has shown that he can adapt. He has also summoned Owen Marecic, for what it is worth.
In other news, for the final game at the ‘Stick, the 49ers have named Eddie D as their honorary captain.
Irish Kevin should be happy with some 3 receiver sets and more focus on Kap
Nobody watching the defensive/pass drop/flag-for-all battle in Detroit tonight?
News: Megatron is Detroit’s offense. I wonder if he’ll walk off early in a snit if Detroit falls.
Just turned it on. Jeez, Deetroit must not have gotten the memo regarding hits to the head, blah blah blah. They are kings of the cheap shot so far tonight.
Sometimes I track how an assigned referee for a game has done in the past. Tonight’s ref is Carl Cheffers, who is usually good for a solid content of flags. Add to it the Lions, an undisciplined team by repute, and a few timely drops.
If I did not know better, I would think someone wants this game shaped in a certain manner….but then, what do I know.
Damn. tickets are a fortune. I’ve only been to 6,382 games there . . .
I can’t even imagine the ovation Eddie D will get.
Miller’s a good FB in our scheme. I’m looking forward to our game plan without him.
forces their hand now.
can’t stand Deetroits coach.
He reminds me too much of Harbaugh. LOL.
I could see Lovie Smith in Dallas as I think Random suggested. Makes some good sense so the crypt keeper probably won’t do it.
I’m about 80% sure it’s either Nolan or Singletary.
I’m 99% sure it’s Garrett.
NF, if they don’t make playoffs?
You never can tell with Jones but I’d think so. Jones likes him a yes man with two more years on his contract.
Deetroit doesn’t even get the hometown call on PI.
Nobody better at color commenting than Gruden! Give ’em hell, coach.
Glad to hear Eddie D will be the last game captain at the last game at the ‘Stick. I do think there should be some Giants representation at the finale. They played there for nearly 40 years, too. There was a guy named Mays, and a few others like Marichal and McCovery that made a few plays and memories out there…
They had their farewell in 1999. I was in the last row of Section 57 (dead center). I’d have been closer sitting on the hill.
61 yard FG!!! Holy shit. 8 ball in the corner pocket . . .
Say what you will, but the Ravens seem to figure out how to do just enough to win.