When last we saw the 49ers, they were surviving by an inch after a second half defensive collapse that nearly derailed their season. They had also just finished five consecutive nail-biter games, going 3-2.
Saturday, however, they mercifully quit pissing around with our delicate fan psyches and tromped all over the Minnesota Vikings in a dominant defensive performance that had us sipping tea and crumpets by the fourth quarter. Thank you, fellas. Keep it up!
Jimmy Garoppolo did not have a particularly good game. He was off target several times and made some poor decisions at others. But the defense was so strong it took the heart out of the Vikings who wilted in the third quarter when the Niners ran the ball down their throats on eight consecutive plays and 44 yards for the TD that put the game out of reach.
Nothing like having a healthy team. Returning from the hobble factory were Jaquiski Tartt, Dee Ford, Kwon Alexander, and Mike Person. And there was the excellent choice to bring back Earl Mitchell to provide some fresh fat man in the middle that’s been missing since DJ Jones went out for the season. And one last touch, the critical substitution of Emmanuel Moseley for the burnt remains of Ahkello Witherspoon. The net result was a defense that limited the Vikings to 21 yards rushing and 126 yards passing.
So, here we are again after six long years, playing next Sunday for the NFC Championship and a trip to the Super Bowl. We’ll find out today whether the team will be facing the Seahawks or the Packers in this title game. And we can begin to wonder if this year’s 13-3 team will emulate the 2011 13-3 team, which came up short, or the 1981 13-3 team, which most certainly did not.
The Niner D completely shut down the Vikes attempt to run screen plays
where most went for losses or no gain.
The Seahag/Packer game will be played in half a foot of snow and maybe they beat the shit out of each other.
Niners have an extra day of rest and don’t have to travel and with Ravens out the stars are lining up in their favor for a 6th Lombardi if they make it to Miami.
Looks like McDaniels got aced out of getting an HC gig.
And Saleh will be DC again next year.
Take away the yards Witherspoon gave up in catches and penalties on that one scorched drive, and we held the Vikings to under 100 yards offense on the day.
Last time an NFL team held a playoff opponent to under 30 yards rushing, while recording six sacks: The 1985 Bears.
This offense is good; the defense, if it stays healthy and intact, is Special.
Another potential stunning upset. Still very early
At the end of 1st quarter Texans over Chefs 21-0. A blocked punt for a TD and a muffed punt in red zone will do that.
The weather didn’t develop so it didn’t snow in Green Bay. It’s just about 25 degrees there so it’s frozen tundra time.
This is like the 49ers vs Saints game.
Wow. 41 unanswered points since Deshaun was playing air guitar on the sidelines in the first quarter.
The Chiefs remind me of the Chargers of the 80s. They can score all day. You don’t beat a team like that by getting in a track meet. You’ve got to beat the shit out of Mahomes and keep the score in the 20s.
Ball control, if you keep the Chefs offense on the sideline they can’t score. Texans failed on a fake punt when they were up and the floodgates opened.
Easier said then done but Niners have shown they are capable of stringing 15 play 7 minute drives which deflates even a most talented offense. Houston gave KC life and they took it to them.
Packers had better look out. Wilson is flirting with another miracle. GB defense is staying on the field way too much.
Gotta love the way Shanny & Co kept the Vikes’ D on the field all afternoon.
This is how you take advantage of the BYE.
Have your ‘rested’ OL slug the road visitors in the mouth.
Repeatedly.
Wear’m out physically, beat them mentally.
Same plan for the Packers I’d suspect.
Keep ARod on the sideline.
2 More Wins = Lombardi #6 😀
Can’t help but wonder about the ‘Script’ for NFL 100.
We’re now in the final 4 mix with a chance to erase the possibility of a SB1 rematch.
Gotta REMOVE GB next week!
Just found this tonight, Wow…
What a story.
Very similar to Patrick actually.
https://tinyurl.com/v9nsml8
NJ
Greenlaw has an amazing back story. Credit Lynch and the Niner scouting for taking a chance on him. He was not on anybody’s radar and not listed as a top LB prospect. Greenlaw will forever be etched with Bunz and Bowman with memorable LB game changing plays.
Niners open as 7 point favorite over Packers.
Packers were beat up yesterday. They were screaming for revenge in their locker room post game.
If Niner D plays like they did Saturday Packers will be get their heads handed to them.
National Championship Game on tonight Clemson vs LSU
To appease LSU fans Joe Burrow spelled his name as a Cajun would
Burreaux
https://twitter.com/i/status/1200927473275301888
Why not? LSU is going to sell a lot more jerseys now.
The Niner offense kept their defense off the field and it led to a dominating performance. That means a lot of 3 and outs forced by the defense.
From THE ATHLETIC
“The defense played only 46 snaps against the Vikings, tying the season low the 49ers set in their rainy-day game in Washington on Oct. 20.
Starting defensive linemen DeForest Buckner and Nick Bosa played 35 snaps, their smallest number since a Week 2 blowout in Cincinnati. Arik Armstead’s 34 snaps were his lowest of the season.”
There wasn’t much to criticize in this win, aside from Witherspoon, who needs some confidence and probably a new start somewhere else, and Garoppolo, who was just a little off on a lot of his throws. Everything to Deebo in particular was a step behind. Fortunately his limited number of errors and “not quites” were nowhere near enough for the Vikings to keep it competitive in the second half. He will need to play a little better the next two weeks if we’re to win out. Now that the first playoff start jitters are out of the way, my hunch is, he will.
Another Center declared for the Draft Bullit –
Josh Myers – OH St – 6’5″/310
https://tinyurl.com/tbpnptw
No injuries from the Vikings game. This is huge. The 49ers still have not lost a game all year when the team was really healthy.
https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/49ers/49ers-enter-nfc-championship-game-vs-packers-no-new-injuries
NJ
Ben Garland has stepped up as a replacement for Richburg.
I do not think interior OLine is a position of need with Brunskill, Garland and Skule proving they are capable replacements. It will be interesting if they offer Shone Coleman who is a FA next season.
It seems to me that CB is a priority now considering Sherman’s age and Witherspoon’s digression.
Have to agree with Bullit on that one. KS has shown he can find linemen in the late rounds and undrafted free agents. And in our system, get them to play pretty well.
I would have said guard two months ago as well, but now not so much. I’d rather have more guys in the back 7 of the defense, particularly a CB and another LB.
Another reason you don’t offer contracts to knucklehead divas like OBJ or AB. Team doesn’t need fools like this and actually it hurts the team chemistry.
https://www.yahoo.com/sports/odell-beckham-jr-handing-out-wads-of-cash-to-lsu-players-is-one-of-the-best-celebrations-ever-170226598.html
Unexpectedly Luke Kuechly announced his retirement today at age of 28 mirroring Patrick Willis.
Luke Kuechley
Drafted: 2012 9th overall
Seasons: 8
Rookie of Yr
All-Pro: 7x (5 1st Tm)
Pro Bowl: 7x
Age at last game: 28
Patrick Willis
Drafted: 2007 11th overall
Seasons: 8
Rookie of Yr
All-Pro: 7x (5 1st Tm)
Pro Bowl: 7x
Age at last game: 29
Agree with you Bullit, regarding Garland, simply looking for the next group of young/talented guys, that might be further down the Draft Board.
The kid from Temple, (C) Matt Hennesey could fly under the radar but, he was groomed by Rhule, who now holds an NFL job in Carolina.
My immediate thoughts regarding position needs would include a WR,C,CB/FS.
Can’t rule out a good ‘tweener’ S/LB, to get after the mobile QBs in our Division, like Murray and Russ.
Given our limited Picks, I can also see Lynch dealing down for extra Picks as well?
For now, we focus on beating GB 😀
New post is up.