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 
RTF and NoFear, some of your comments went into the spaminator for no particular reason. I released them FWIW.
Wish I knew why. Sorry bout that.
They’ll just be repeats…
Emperor Jer to hire Schwantz for next season?! Lord knows they’re made for each other.
May the Schwartz be with you Jerruh…
I didn’t see one post yesterday but more than enough did with no trouble.
All this Cowboy related hoopla plays to the same beat.
The owner wants media attention and he gets it. For being a meddling dick.
Dez is another of Jerruhs’ prized puppets.
Every piece of that Team is an extension of Jerruhs’ ego.
As is happening in DC with RG III and Snyder, is exactly what’s happening with Dez and Jerruh.
Football players need detail and direction from the Coaches, not interference and special privileges awarded from an owner who seeks the spotlight for all his ‘holdings’.
Snyder and Jones are spoiled rich brats that treat their Teams as vehicles for their own need to be recognized.
Hope they both continue to play ‘Fantasy Football’ in their dealings.
Like the NYJ, they’ll get plenty of media spotlights shined their way, while all of us watching them, will simply be laughing in their faces.
Jerruh fixes everything with a mike in his face and big splash Contracts which feed his ego.
Chief Executive Moron.
Dez was upset.
Romo changed the play.
Which means, Garrett is another puppet, with ZERO balls and now, an ultimatim to win in DC.
I’ll take Shanny.
He’s got BALLS.
Looks like Harbs likely won’t be shaking the Schwartz’ hand after beating down the Lions is a playoff game. Niners maybe will have to get sized for some long-johns, either Chicago or Packers. I’ll take Chicago over Lambeau…
I’m still jazzed over the fact that we can possibly get the 5 seed and avoid Seattle til the NFC Championship game. That Carol could go up there first and knock them off. Then we pick off Carol in Carolina.
Actually I heard that if it came to that the game would be here? I don’t know how or why, but I though Maiocco said that.
I read it from Barrows. If Niners are 5th and Panthers beat Seattle the Champ game is at the stick.
Not sure which of the tallest Leprechaun teams I prefer to play WC weekend. The Pack on the frozen tundra probably with Rodgers, Lions in that noisy den or Da Bears at soldier field.
Will watch their games more closely next week.
Deetroit would be my preference. Mainly for the dome factor. No chance of playing in a blizzard. And Stafford is a turnover machine.
Niners don’t have a matchup DB for Megatron but then not many teams do (Squawks).
I guess Detroit for the weather factor makes sense.
Good to see Skeebs and Berger tire of some of the nonsense their pet spouts. Funny but Berger never got a straight answer either, welcome to the club 🙂 Disagreements are what blogs thrive on but not when it’s simply argumentative for the sake of being “right”. Quantity of posts over quality is a poor choice for a blog master IMO.
Funnily enough traffic has been building over here for a while, not just on game day anymore. Some thoughtful insights, banter and disagreements all go in the pot with minimal bickering.
Thanks Chuck.
This would be my point with Skeebs blog. Both you and he wrote a piece on Dec 16, Skeebs published first but no biggie. Skeebs has 69 posts now of which 24 are Bullit. You have 85 without any particular poster dominating.
Skeebs is a decent writer and hosts his blog for fun from what I can see. He was accused of trying to make money from it but I don’t see it. IMO Skeebs allows Bullit too much leeway on his blog and it kills diversity of opinion because of Bullits style of attack and purile nature, that whole files of past posts thing is seriously creepy. Who cares that much about posting on a blog to keep years of shit categorized just to play “gotcha”.
I don’t know if it’s a conscious effort or not but I have seen both Skeebs and Berger try to reign in Bullit lately.
I read Skeebs blog each day, enjoy most of whats written but am turned off from joining in because of the pettiness of Bullit. It is tiresome and boring. Some will say I should just deal with it but truthfully I have a life and little room in it for infantile crap.
It’s a shame as that was the first blog I joined and other than Skeebs mania for anything Alex Smith I find him thoughtful and interesting.
Just my musings for the day, feel free to ignore them 🙂
Agree 100%, came to those conclusions couple years ago. The unanswered question for me is, since nothings changed, what is it about Skeebers that he tolerates such endless crap from Bullit et al? This drives traffic all right- Away.
Merry Christmas everyone and may the better blog win. Also Go Niners!
Thanks, 12th. And thanks & happy holidays to the rest of youse. I really do enjoy this, and it has been going relatively smoothly lately, except for the idiotic rantings of Bullitt’s altar ego, potty-mouth boy, during game days.
Yeah, I suppose I shouldn’t bother going back and forth with Bullit, but I’ll be damned if I’ll have him lie about what I post and misrepresent what I say. He does it all the time so I should know better. Short of Flying V and Spitty though, both who were hell-bent on getting banned, I’ve had very little reason to do anything but let this ride.
It is simply my intent to give people a place to talk about the 49ers.
Thanks to all of you for hanging out here.
Now if someone has a line on tix for Monday night , , ,
Duck Fallas. It still continues to do my heart good to see them implode, and they have gotten very good at it too. When we get to Seattle it will be a very special game. “If” the refs play it straight. These guys truly don’t like each other, muscle and coaching will win it.
I wish I could be at the Atlanta game, my history at the stick began in 1960 when I thought it was the most beautiful place there could ever be. I had never seen grass look so good. It brings back some of my best memories with me and dad. What a place, I know Eddie D will get the best we have to offer.
Yeah I will miss getting my feet pissed on by the guy next to me at the trough. Many memories in that stadium. Glad Eddie D is being honored. He was an amazing owner and we owe him the modern history we all shove down other fans throats 🙂
Not sure what to make of the new digs. Weird design they chose but will wait till I go see a game there to make up my mind about the place, $10 beers anyone? Not crazy about it not being in SF anymore that I do know.
One things for sure, the Sticks time had come.
Noch einmal…
Should the Niners go in at #5, they could possibly then host (how do you like THAT for a split infinitive) either Carolina OR New Orleans in the NFC Championship Game.
The LOSER of the NO @ Car game will likely (not clinched yet) enter at #6 and would remain
behind the Niners throughout. That means road, that means Candlestick if if if both teams win their first two playoff games.
How do you like them apples? One farewell NFC Championship Game at Candlestick!
Whew! I’ve think I’ve got a headache…
That would be the dream scenario- one last fling- a big win at the Stick and on to the Big Dance. That would cure yer headache Rt
Fingers crossed Phil, that would be all my phenomenal.
Right with ya there, Sidewinder. If Dallass loses 16 in a row, I’d hope all of them were blowouts. The beauty of it all is Jerry Jerk-Off’s son is waiting in the wings to continue the madness. Prince Valiant (Al Davis’ son Mark) is actually doing a pretty good job with the Raiders so far. I wonder if he keeps Dennis Allen. That team needs stability more than anything. They are the 49ers in 2006. Trying to gain relevancy while climbing out from under a huge pile of bad contracts and questionable heart in the locker room.
Yeah. I’m glad I got my son to a game this year. He’s been to 4 football games there at the Stick. All wins.My first baseball game there was 1968. Giants vs Astros. The Giants blew a 6-2 lead to lose late.
I shoulda taken more pictures of it, but really, it’s a just pile of concrete surrounded by more concrete.
I don’t give a rat’s behind about the Raiders anymore, but I pay a little attention to them. Darth Al left that franchise in a huge mess. They had to cut out dead wood and dead contracts before making headway. This current team is mostly cast offs and second stringers. I doubt Walsh could get the current Raiders to 8-8. Firing this young guy Allen after this season seems to me a wrong move, more of the same bullshit yo yo coaching that Al did. Give him one more year with another draft and money to go out and get some players….
All that crap about the 6th seed vs. 1st seed, is just that crap. Lets pull up all the rule changes that have happened over that time period. Losing teams have gotten into the playoffs. If you took that same period and ranked the teams by wins and losses how many of the true 6th seeds got to the Division championship game and how many got to the SB? So yes IMO that stat is crap.
oh, and I thought Seattle had the #1 seed. In the dude’s article he states the Falcons have home field advantage through out the playoffs.
Shit, the Falcons are dead last in their division. Someone had better do a check on all those stats he posted. If he made a mistake with the Falcons having home field advantage through out the playoffs, there is no telling how many mistakes he made with the stats he quoted.
Oh crap, I just saw the date of that article. A year ago. WTF??
Hi Kevin. The point of the article, which has the latest completed play off results contained in it, was to show that being the #1 or #2 ranked team does not make those teams a lock for the SB the way some posters have been suggesting. In fact it is about a 50%/50% proposition.
Lol. Just goes to show u what the Niners can do with the opponents home field advantage.
chuck, 68 was a great year at the stick. You got to see the best.
Those colt45/astro games were always a little wacky.
Exactly Winder, folks have forgotten the Niners took home field advantage for the Falcons and shoved it where the sun don’t shine.
If that comes to pass, Firefly, I’m going. By hook or by crook.
Book me a seat while your at it.
I’ll miss the stick. That’s where it all started (Giants and Niners) for most of us. Memories of my father taking to the games – eating carnation chocolate malts with the wooden spoon, wrappers flying around everywhere, freezing our asses off but it was home. We were at the SF Seahawks game last week and we stole a parking sign that’s been there for years. My buddies also won the taligater of the year award.. That’s be my last time at the Stick, and I’ll miss it. So many good memories.. btw Chuck, I sent you a friend request. That’s me.