In a very exciting game against the #1 defense in the NFL, the resurgent 49er offense laid a 44-spot on the vaunted Jaguar defense. Jimmy G directed the offense to a very solid 4 TDs in the red zone. Robbie Gould didn’t need to exercise his leg nearly as much as last week, and the struggling line actually played pretty decent. There weren’t huge holes, but the run game got in the end zone 3 times, most notably on the 3rd and 8 with Jacksonville trying desperately to stage a big comeback in the final few minutes.
The defense was great up until 2 minutes in the 1st half and 2 minutes in the 2nd half. Not sure why we were dropping the LBs 10 yards off the line when the D was successful all game. This remains a mystery to me.
Beyond that, there were some weird calls by the zebras. Brieda fumbled a ball on a play that wasn’t reviewable, and some WR on Jax caught a ball, took 3 steps, fumbled the ball, and somehow did not make a football move in all of that. Dontae Johnson made his obligatory PI and mental errors, but was the recipient of a gift pick 6.
Speaking of the much-maligned DBs, they had 3 picks, and should have had 4 among the 50 passes by Blake Bortles. K’waun Williams made a spectacular one-handed grab on a deep ball, and Ahkello Witherspoon made a great adjustment on what looked like was supposed to be a back-shoulder fade that instead was picked.
But for the int in the end zone on a pass that was a sure TD that turned into an interception had not Garoppolo been hit while throwing, the blocked extra point, completely blown onsides kick, the game should have been easier that it turned out to be. But the Jags ARE a good team and the fought all the way to the end. This talk of franchising Jimmy G should pretty much end now. They need to sign him after the season ends next week. Anyone that can come in and direct this 1-9 team, one ravaged by injuries, to a 5-0 record, has to be thought of as the real deal.
Make it so . . .
And, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!! Thanks one and all for hanging out in my little corner of the internet. With a shout-out to the New England Patriot organization for our early Christmas present in Jimmy G.
San Francisco 49ers Forever 
Just listen to this guy talk and lead. He is the real deal:
Merry Christmas all!
Merry Christmas everyone.
Merry Christmas fellow bloggers.
Merry Christmas everyone. You guys are great. I agree sign up Jimmy G. ASAP. I’m sure Lynch is ready to ink a deal. Just think of where the team was before Jimmy arrived. The contrast to previous QBs is dramatic!
Yep, we have a nice little community here. It’s not huge, but it’s passionate and all the lean times with the team are starting to pay off. That’s what being a fan is all about, sticking with the team through thick and thin.
Go Niners!
All I want for Christmas is a Falcons win or a Squawks loss, either one eliminates the Squawks!
Yes!
Hah! With ya there, 12th!
Merry Christmas Garoppolites!
Test
pass
I was really hoping that our final game with the Rams would mean something but it doesn’t. A win or loss to the Rams changes nothing for them. So, I imagine they will rest some of the players for most of the game. Too bad, this one could have been real fun. I also imagine we will win this one which is nice of course especially since it’s the fucking Rams. And since for the last few weeks have been moving back in the draft order it really makes little difference. We just might be in line to take the best OT in the draft, that or a CB.
Beat the RAMS! This game means something for the Niners. RAMS can play their taxi squad for all I care. The real competition will come next season.
I totally agree. I was hoping we could really hurt them if we won.
With a week to go the Niners can pick no higher than 5 and no lower than 11 so they are assured of the opportunity to pick a premium player. I hope Winder is right and the Niners beat the Rams, the old enemy for some of us, because I believe that ending on a 5 game win streak has more value to the team than picking a few spots higher.
On a funny side note, the NFC West is now the highest overall ranked division based on the NFL rankings just released, not that that means much but who’d a thunk it?
http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/news/week-17-nfl-power-rankings-patriots-steelers-eagles-vikings-seahawks-49ers/1vu4aumdj3kdu184sjuavj1ffd
I agree the Niners need a pass rusher, but unless a great talent falls, I would rather take a CB. One of the reasons is in the 2 min drill the ball comes out so fast the pass rusher usually can’t get there, but a corner is vital on every play in every scenario.
Watching the games, the Niners can get by with what they have up front, but a lock down corner would have dramatically changed the course of a number of games that poor CB play ( I’m looking at you especially DJ) gave away wins or allowed very fast scoring drives.
Overall however I would go O line with the first pick if the draft falls that way, without improving the running game this team will rely solely on the Jimmy G heroics every game and that is not sustainable with this current O line, blocking or protecting.
Regardless of how the last game goes, I’m stoked with the JG trade and improved play on all sides. Levi stadium is transformed. It may never be as loud as the Stick, but damn what a difference giving the fans something to cheer about makes. Thanks for the amazing Christmas present Niners!
NJ, they didn’t have programs and come to think of it I didn’t see one all year, maybe they stopped doing it? They also didn’t have Niners Bud this week.
However, if you want to send Chuck a shipping address, I will send you something they gave as a free giveaway at the game for the Niners shrine in your man cave.
I hope we pull our starters vs. the lambs ! Top 5 pick please ! BTW who said niners by 10 this week
If they pul their starters they won’t have enough players to play the game Rob!!!!
I wouldn’t worry about the running game too much. That will be a top priority for KS/JL this off-season, and I’ve no doubt they will do what it takes. KS knows balance is critical, he’s said as much, and that was evident on Sunday. The passing game will only ever reach its peak when the threat of a solid running game is there.
The Rams can’t get home field throughout, so they may hold some of their starters out. If not, the Niners will have their hands full. Gurley is on a major roll right now. Win or lose, the team has already done enough to go into the off season with a ton of momentum.
I hope they don’t pull their starters, I would love to see Gurley against the Niners run D as its playing now. Be a great measuring stick and I think they would do well against him.
I would like to see Goodwin and Hyde get 1,000 yards. Not as likely for Hyde, but totally doable for Quise.
Goodwin has really come into his own with Jimmy slinging it. I doubt that Hyde stays next year but he is making the right noises so if he accepts the home town discount I would keep him in a rotational role.
It should not take long for Lynch to draw up a contract after the last few games, what I like about Lynch is he has been down on the Field right before the game ends to congratulate the players. Has that Eddie D touch, make the team feel like a family
Yeah you’re right Kevin, it does remind me of those days now you mention it.
I was dubious about Lynch as a hire but so far I have nothing to complain about. Great with his first draft, great with the media, even went out into the parking lot to meet the fans last Sunday with Al Guido, and is a “players” GM and face of the franchise.
Still early days with Lynch and Shanny Jr but it sure looks a lot better going into this offseason than the last few.
Just for fun:
https://www.ninersnation.com/2017/12/26/16818306/2017-nfl-power-rankings-week-17-edition
I guess Lynch and the front office even work on Christmas day:
https://www.ninersnation.com/2017/12/26/16819698/49ers-waive-prince-charles-iworah-off-injured-reserve
I just felt in my heart that Lynch would succeed and he is surely on his way to doing just that. I haven’t felt this good about the team in years and am completely jazzed about the upcoming off seasonm.
I hope the organization can somehow entice Allen Robinson away from Jax. The kid is only 24 years old and is an amazing WR. With Garcon, Goodwin and him we would be a total nightmare for defenses.
No matter the draft position, Lynch and his staff will succeed as was shown in last years draft. They have skills that Baalke and his team never approached. This is very clear to see. So this final game should not be much of a factor in succeeding in the draft. Look at Cleveland and their woeful decisions of past GMs to see how the draft has helped them. Their top draft picks over the years and their constant failure to improve their team is a sorry legacy to have.
Agree Nipper, how high you choose is not even close as important as who you choose.
Yeah, WR we should be able to take care of in free agency. If we can get Chubb, I’m all for it. Witherspoon is decent. K’Waun williams is better. The weak link IS DJ.
Rams will rest their starters according to HC McVay. disappointing, I was hoping to get a true matchup.
Yeah, just saw that on ESPN, 12th. I’d like to see us do the same. Get BeatHard out there one more time.
Colbert, Jimmie Ward, Mabin and Tartt are all coming back from injury. Reid played well, as did Witherspoon and Williams. Depth at corner would be nice.
LB is a need as well. Although getting Malcolm Smith back will help. Lynch is as good as gone unless he sheds about 30 lb.
The pass rush is in serious need of an upgrade.
New thread is up.