1-0 and the fans are rejoicing. Sort of. Guardedly optimistic? Depends on who you talk to. To me, the team looks a lot more coherent and solid that last year’s version. The lines look a lot better as well. and, speaking of last year, this season started just like last year. A strong Monday night victory against a supposed up-and-coming team followed by an East Coast trip through 3 time zones against a very strong team on a short week and the early game to boot. Hopefully the outcome of this game will be a little better than last year’s debacle at the hands of the Pittsburgh Steelers and their 48-18 thrashing.
This time around we only get the defending NFC champs, the Carolina Panthers. They of course were a field goal away from beating their Super Bowl conquerors, the Denver Broncos. So, how does this work out for us? Well, it is very hard to say. Our offense looks fairly similar to the one trotted out by the Broncos. Short passes, misdirection runs, runs from 3 WR sets, and some read-option. Gabbert had a fair-to-middling game, one where he missed wide open guys, but he also kept drives alive with his legs, and by buying time on the run. Still and all 22-35 for 170 and 1 TD isn’t going to stop any clocks, or even get the fantasy crowd excited, but a decent enough game. Will that fly tomorrow? I don’t think so. He left too many passes in the danger zone and should have been picked off a couple times, and missed an easy TD early on. The run game, namely Carlos Hyde needs to have a big game for this to work. I like the idea of getting a lot of WRs in the patterns to unload the box.
Amazingly, the 49ers last week were 4-4 in the red zone against what was supposed to be a top-tier defense. But they pretty much laid down by the end of the 3rd quarter, and their offense was flat to say the least. Carolina? Well, Denver has the blueprint for beating Carolina down pat. Pressure pressure pressure. Get people in his grille and make him rush his throws. Contain is also important, but the biggest thing is pressure. The DBs did well last week, and in the preseason. They again will be key to slowing down the Carolina offense. Keep the ball in Newton’s hands give the pas rush a better shot of getting to him.
Still and all, I think we lose, but we play well in the cause. 24-20 Panthers.
Forty Niners Forever 
Deep guy was WIDE OPEN.
Not one pass to the end zone
A Ted Ginn special.
Irish Kevin, apologies for the sandwiches comment last night, it was out of line. The frustrations with Casilla finally boiled over, but that’s no excuse.
Ha ha no worries, I came to the conversation late. All is good LJ
Hey now.
D ain’t getting sny rest but we are in it.
I told you these dudes wouldn’t roll over!!
I’m not watching today, so 75 yds to VD?
The L.A. Rams scored!
Now the Niners are just getting sloppy.
Well I can’t remember the last time the Niners scored more than 14 points two games in a row.
Yeah Carolina is tge better team by far but we didn’t quit. Til now. McDonalds drop was huge.
A great performance! Y’all didn’t really expect to beat the Panthers, did ya? The Niners pulled to within 7 in the 4th qtr. They did this on the backs of a great defensive play, a great special teams play, and the TD to Vance.
The Niners aren’t there (yet?), but they’re worlds better than last year’s version. Now, if only they had a QB…
Back to earth for the D, but against the defending NFC champs. Growing pains are to be expected. Again, I couldn’t watch this one, but the team fought back and that’s always a good sign. Looking forward to highlights and further discussion. The Niners now have a better idea of what they need to improve on.
Yes no more leaving the corners on an island when playing a great QB, let’s start there.
BOO HOO! Niners crash to earth. Now reality………..
We need to groom a QB asap. I would drop a player or two off the PS and start auditioning.
2 more losses where they can clearly see Gabbert is either inaccurate downfield or afraid to try and Kap is back.
Rams up by 6 with a minute left.
Rams force the fumble and win!
Tied for first. With everyone else in the division.