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Prediction Time

Prediction: San Francisco 31 Baltimore 21

Here’s what I think will happen:

It’ll be a close game in the first half

The 49ers start a bit slow which leads to the Ravens owning the halftime lead.

The Ravens will go into this game setting up the run with the pass. Caldwell will want to get Flacco going early and they may even deploy their hurry up offense on the first or second series. I’m thinking Flacco will try intermediate or deep passes early to try and get the Niners off guard and it’s quite possible he’ll be successful doing it based on the Niners secondary play of late.

I think Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce will have success running the ball in the first half which allows Flacco more time to deliver in the pocket.

The Niners go three and out in their first series while Kap gets his jitters out and settles in after that.

LaMichael James has the longest carry of the game

In the second half, the Niners lock it down on defense. Halftime adjustments by Vic Fangio are huge.

Patrick Willis records a sack

The Niners offense is more balanced and the Ravens force the Niners to march down the field - no big plays.

Randy Moss catches a TD

Super Bowl Thoughts

Originally, I wanted to break down what the Niners had to do on offense, defense and special teams but in the two weeks leading up to the Super Bowl, match-ups, keys, advantages and disadvantages, history, etc. have already been overstated. Nobody really knows what’s going to happen until the game is played but this really is a great match-up because it’s so unpredictable.

Two weeks to soak it in…here’s what will be on my mind when my beloved San Francisco 49ers take the field against the Baltimore Ravens on Super Bowl Sunday. (Keep in mind, I don’t have a wealth of statistics to back up my thoughts. Most of what I write is based off of my own eye. Maybe you’ll disagree, I’m totally okay with it.)

Joe Flacco

I really want to know which Joe Flacco shows up. In the past five games, Joe Flacco-God Mode has quarterbacked the Ravens. During the regular season, Joe Flacco-Mortal Mode quarterbacked the Ravens. I understand that come Super Bowl Sunday, not much credence can be laid on regular season statistics, but there’s a chance Flacco reverts back to mediocrity. Note: In no way am I intentionally slighting Flacco. I think he’s a damn good quarterback who’s on a hot streak that makes him near elite. When I say ‘mediocre’, it’s based on his 22-10 touchdown-interception ratio/87.7 quarterback rating.

49ers Defense

Flacco’s play leads me to my concern regarding the 49ers defense. The Niners defense hasn’t exactly been running on all cylinders since Justin Smith was initially injured in the second half of the Patriots game. I know Smith and co. shut out the Falcons in the second half but Matt Ryan’s unforced errors played a big role in that. The yards the Niners have given up since Week 15 are alarming and they’ve been beaten the same way: in the middle of the field. If Flacco is on, Anquan Boldin, Dennis Pitta and Ray Rice will feast between the hash marks. Don’t forget about Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce as well. Niners run defense hasn’t been as good as before so the Ravens will likely get some success on the ground.

Another concern that I have with the Niners defense arises in situations where the Ravens run a hurry-up offense. I’m surprised that I haven’t heard more about it from analysts and writers but the Ravens ran a lot of hurry-up against the Patriots and were successful doing it. I can only recall that the Niners struggled when Brady ran a no-huddle offense in the second half of the Patriots-Niners game. Fangio must have a counter to Caldwell’s no-huddle calls because I’m betting that Flacco will be excel in those situations.

Going back to Flacco for a second but it seems to me that the Ravens love the big play. Flacco drops back a ton to unload deep passes for Torrey Smith, Jacoby Jones and even Boldin. These long developing plays should give the 49ers defensive line an advantage so they’ll have to at least pressure Flacco, if not sack him, or the secondary will get torn to shreds. Two weeks of rest could be huge for the ailing Justin Smith, Aldon Smith and Ahmad Brooks. We’ll see how well they can go up against a recently stout Ravens OL.

Ravens Defense

It’ll be interesting to see how the Ravens defense plays the Pistol. I imagine that Roman won’t use the Pistol to start the game but you can bet that at some point, Kap will run the option and when that happens, will the Ravens be ready? Two weeks of film to see how the Niners succeed in that formation gives them a slight advantage over Green Bay and Atlanta.

I’d also like to see how much they pressure Kaepernick. Numbers suggest that Kap passes well when he’s blitzed so it’s quite possible that the Ravens rush just four and force Kap to analyze the defense and beat them with his arm. Kap has shown that he can but the Falcon’s defense has way more holes than the Ravens’. Ed Reed also wasn’t lurking in Atlanta. The Ravens should be able to get pressure on the left side as Mike Iupati has struggled in pass protection and will likely have to help Joe Staley with Terrell Suggs. Haloti Ngata may also move from the right to the left on occasion to take advantage against Iupati. Don’t forget about Paul Kruger as well. The underrated outside linebacker has 2.5 sacks this postseason and will be matched up primarily with Anthony Davis on the right side.

Special Teams

I mention Special Teams not for David Akers (because that story has been told too many times) but more so for the coverage units. I believe that field position will be huge in this game against the Ravens. Jacoby Jones is one of the elite return men in the NFL so it'll be important for Seely's cover units to stick to assignments and keep him from busting a return for a large gain.

It'd also be nice if Tedd Ginn Jr. or LaMichael James can get a big return against the suspect Ravens ST ala Trindon Holliday in the divisional round.

Turnovers

Can't have 'em. I'm actually more concerned about potential fumbles from guys like LaMichael James or even Frank Gore but obviously, Kaepernick throwing picks is just as bad, if not worse.

Oracle Prediction: On the same play, Ahmad Brooks get a sack, fumble forced, and a fumble recovery.

Prediction coming soon.

#49ers #Niners #SuperBowl #49erFaithful

NFC Championship Game: Halftime Thoughts

Obviously, that TD drive right before the half was huge for Atlanta. However, the Niners can take back the momentum with a solid drive to start the second half. Of course, it'd be nice if it was a TD drive but a FG works too. I say this because at some point, you have to believe that Fangio's scheme will get to Matt Ryan. Ryan is just picking his spots in the 49ers secondary. It also helps that the Niners pass rush was invisible in the first half. This MUST change...and fast. Aldon Smith was able to get a bit more pressure towards the end of the half but it needs to be more consistent. Ryan looks so comfortable out there and once you give Jones and White and Gonzales time to get open, they will get open. On offense, I still think the Niners need to run a bit more on first and second down. I know this is an old school way of thinking but it seems like Atlanta's defense becomes more porous as drives extend. They start selling out to stop the run and that's when you get wide open Vernons and Crabtrees. Crabtree has to make some big plays in the second half as ATL zeroes in on Vernon Davis. The only way the Niners can win this game is if they get more pressure. It really starts on the defensive end. I'll be interested to see the halftime adjustments Harbaugh and Fangio concoct to combat Matt Ryan. Go Niners.

NFC Championship Eve: The Concerns, Hopes and Prediction

You know what concerns me about the Atlanta Falcons?

They remind me of the 2011 New York Football Giants.

They're not mirror images of each other, so bear with me, but they share some of the same characteristics (mostly on offense).

Great quarterbacks: Eli Manning is probably better than Matt Ryan but Ryan has been lights out this year.

Great WR tandem: Julio Jones and Roddy White remind me of Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks...yet I feel more threatened by the ATL duo.

Productive run game: It was always Eli's game but the Giants did have a run game going with Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs. I feel that the Falcons are the same way. Passing game comes first but they can run it decently with Michael Turner and Jacquizz Rodgers (evident last week against a typically stout Seattle front seven)

Force turnovers: Both teams were top 5 in the league during the regular season in takeaways at 31 apiece.

Solid kicking game: Lawrence Tynes was money last year. Matt Bryant is solid...especially in a dome.

So there are some similarities. What does this have to do with the game tomorrow? Well, if Atlanta comes out victorious, it'll be because they excelled in most of the aspects I listed above. The Giants won narrowly by being mediocre in everything but they forced turnovers at crucial points in the game. Atlanta could easily do the same.

Oh, and they're at home.

The Niners are huge favorites in this game according to experts, fans, talk show hosts, journalists, columnists, etc. but Atlanta is GOOD. Being the top seed in a conference isn't easy to do. An offense that features a QB with an above average arm, two elite WRs and the best tight end in 2012 should never be overlooked. They can score extremely quickly and have a defense that forces a ton of turnovers.

The confidence is refreshing but it's also worrisome. The Super Bowl is one win away but that one win is harder than it seems.

Here's what I'm hoping for other than a Super Bowl Championship Berth (let's not get too greedy too soon).

If the Niners can do these things...I'm not gonna say it.

Vernon Davis; 2011 Playoffs Edition. If 2012 Zach Miller can torch Atlanta, what can Vernon do?

Kap shredding Atlanta's secondary with his arms and not his legs. It'll be interesting to see how much zone Mike Nolan plays against the Niners. The Packers played a lot of 'Man' last weak and Kap took advantage once he was out of the pocket. If Atlanta plays a ton of zone coverage, it'll be important for Kap to make the right reads. Dunta Robinson and Asante Samuels are not physical corners but they are aggressive in terms of forcing turnovers. How scary will our offense be if Kap makes throws against a zone and 'Pistols' his way past 'man'?

Force a couple Matt Ryan INTs. Ryan had 14 interceptions in the regular season and 14 isn't terrible, especially when eight of them came in two games. However, if the Niners can bring consistent pressure, I can definitely see Ryan flinging a couple passes up for grabs because he's got dynamic receivers everywhere.

Don't let the role players get big plays. No huge returns for "The Quiz". No big gains for Harry Douglas.

Neutralize John Abraham. A neutralized Abraham pretty much neutralizes the ATL pass rush. If there's no pass rush, I don't see how effective Atlanta's defense can be, as they rely on forcing turnovers while giving up a ton of yards.

Prediction: San Francisco 27 Atlanta 20

Close game. SF defense holds late in the game to preserve the victory.

God, I hope I'm right. I really, really, really do.

Go Niners.

#Niners #49ers #49erFaithful #NFL

The Gray Cloud

It's been a busy week so I haven't been able to write everything I've been thinking about regarding the big game tomorrow. Of course, this may be a blessing in disguise as I'm able to see what transpires throughout the week.

Like how our number one wide receiver is involved in a sexual assault investigation.

My initial reaction of panic subsided to nervousness as I thought about how it would affect the 49ers on Sunday. Then I thought about how silly and selfish I was being. A woman was sexually assaulted. That's more important than a football game. Praying she's okay...physically, emotionally, and psychologically.

On the football side, the facts aren't out yet but nothing good can come from this. The team has undoubtedly been aware of the investigation, causing an unneeded distraction. Regardless of how this investigation plays out or if Michael Crabtree is guilty of anything, the damage is done.

I've already mentioned the unneeded distraction but what about the emotions of the players? I know they're professional football players and expected to block out exterior emotions on the field (and they probably will), but the fact remains that one of their teammates looks to be in some serious hot water. They will have known about it for three days prior to the big game. What impact will it have on the field? In preparations?

If the Niners lose, some will use this unfortunate event as a scapegoat. If the Niners win, this gray cloud will hover over "Ninersland" all the way up to the Super Bowl and possibly beyond, depending on how long this investigation drags out. Can you imagine all the extra, unnecessary press this case can generate in the two weeks leading up to Super Bowl XLVII?

The only thing we can do as fans is hope that Michael Crabtree is innocent and pray for the woman who was assaulted.

No win situation.

Note from respected columnist, Joey Akeley

There is no such thing as a team of 'good people'. It makes me sad, but I still want the Niners to win for the guys like P Willy and Vernon.

Couldn't have said it better myself. Makes Crabtree look so selfish but again, innocent until proven guilty.

#49ers #Niners

The team, the team, the team

Writing about the 49ers each and every day this week has only further exemplified how the 49ers succeed. It's a total team effort. More than any other team, I feel like the Niners are complete. They don't overly depend on any single player or any single unit on the field. Everything is tied in. Everything has an effect on the game. Good OL play, good running game. Good running game, long drives. Long drives, less possessions for Aaron Rodgers. If the Niners can achieve some of the keys that I've talked about over the past five days, they will win this game. It's all about the team, the team, and the team and Harbaugh wouldn't have it any other way. Prediction: San Francisco 34 Green Bay 24

Kappin' off Drives

Just can't help myself with the stupid titles!

Let's do a recap of what I've said the Niners need to do to win.

Limit the damage from Aaron Rodgers and his group of WRs

Excellent play from Justin Smith...and the rest of the front seven

Dominant performance from Joe Staley and the rest of the OL

Solid kicking game and special teams in general

These keys to the game, if you will, are in no particular order after priority number one of stopping Aaron Rodgers. Therefore, today's key is just as important if not more important than keys two through four.

"Kappin' off Drives", if you haven't already figured out, revolves around the Niners abilities to sustain drives throughout the game. Furthermore, Colin Kaepernick must have a big role in how the Niners "cap off" drives.

This is especially crucial on third downs. The Niners offense will likely face third and long on several occasions and they must convert on at least 50% of them to win. Harder said than done considering the multitude of looks that Packers DC, Dom Capers, will send on third downs to create turnovers.

Kap will have to avoid these turnovers while making multiple "big" plays to keep drives going. "Big" plays can be anything from turning a broken play into a big gain to converting a textbook 8-9 yard hitch pass to a first down. Truth is, any third down play is a big play.

How can Kap achieve this? He has to utilize Vernon Davis. It's mind boggling to see his numbers in the past six weeks. If the OL can handle GB's pressure by itself, Vernon can be deployed for catch passing duties instead of blocking duties and that'll be huge.

With Michael Crabtree playing exceptionally well, Vernon Davis shouldn't be doubled as often as assumed. He is an excellent hot-route receiver when GB blitzes because he's a match up nightmare (faster than safeties and linebackers; bigger and stronger than corners).

If the offensive line can give him the protection he needs, the onus is on Kaepernick to deliver the ball to his playmakers and once he gets the ball into the hands of Crabtree, Davis, Randy Moss, and Delanie Walker, the points will come.

Theoretically.

#49ers #49erFaithful #nfcplayoffs #nfl #niners

Settling for Three...

...is more of a luxury these days, apparently.

Coincidentally, I had actually planned to write about the importance of a solid kicking performance before Harbaugh announced that David Akers had won the kicking duties for Saturday's contest.

Bold move or stupid move? We'll find out on Saturday but it's not like Niners fans had a ton of confidence in Billy Cundiff anyways.

It's imperative that whoever attempts FGs...makes them. It sounds so elementary, so simple but it's another one of those "just because it's obvious, doesn't mean it's not true". Playing against a prolific offense like the Packers, San Francisco will need all the points it can get. When the offense doesn't convert on third downs (tomorrow's topic), Akers MUST convert if it's within range and I'm counting anything under 50 yards within range.

I'm not sure how long a leash DA has but my stance is that unless it's an absolute necessity (4th down, trailing by 3 or less, 5 seconds remaining etc.), he should not attempt a FG longer than 50 yards. The Niners would be better off putting the ball in Kaepernick's hands to see if he can pick up the first. Of course, there are exceptions to that like a "3rd and 18" but generally, I'm hoping Harbaugh elects to go for it on 4th and manageable in situations that put Akers in a tough spot.

Typically an afterthought, the strength of a team's kicking game can really decide a ballgame. Aside from clutch kicks in the fourth, three doesn't seem like much compared to a touchdown but FGs add up throughout the game.

I can even get into the whole confidence side of FG kicks. Just think back to last season when we as Niners fans thought an Akers kick was an automatic three. How about now? How demoralizing is it for an offense to drive 65-70 yards, stall on a couple plays then get nothing after a missed FG?

Killer. Can't happen.

Maybe Harbaugh brought in Cundiff for psychological reasons. Set up a competition, name Akers the winner, and consequently giving him some confidence going into the playoff game.

Who knows but let's hope it works.

#49ers #49erFaithful #Niners #NFL #nfcplayoffs

Joe and Mike and Jon and Alex and Anthony

Games are won in the trenches.

Yesterday, I was adamant about the importance of Justin Smith and the defensive line. The offensive line is just as important except there are no notable serious injuries.

Obviously, protecting Colin Kaepernick is huge. Green Bay has this beast named Clay Matthews who tore it up the last time these two teams met (albeit his 2.5 sacks were against a Joe Staley with a broken nose) and Dom Capers is widely known for his unique DB blitzes (healthy Charles Woodson...watch out).

However important pass protection is, the biggest task for Staley, Iupati, Goodwin, Boone, and Davis is to run block the hell out of BJ Raji and that Packers defensive line. To me, that's how the Niners win the game.

Ground and pound with Frank Gore and LaMichael James for long drives. Shorten the game so Rodgers has fewer possessions. It all sounds like a plan but it starts with the line. Every opponent knows how much the Niners love running left so it'll be interesting to see how the coaches game plan against the Packers defense.

The line's ability to block on an option run is another aspect of the game to look at. It's been noted before that blocking for an option is very different from blocking for a power run.

I can only imagine what the running game would be like if the line could block both the power and option to perfection. A steady diet of Frank Gore mixed in with a little Kap and LaMichael option.

Maybe the Niners deploy it this week and maybe they don't. Regardless, it's all about how well Joe, Mike, Jon, Alex, and Anthony control the line of scrimmage when the Niners are on offense.

Win the trench, boys. Dominate it.

#49ers #NFL #nfcplayoffs

Cowboy Up

We've seen the alarming, irregular, unfamiliar stats from the 49ers defense. We've felt the disappointment of Aldon Smith not recording a single sack to realistically challenge the NFL single season record for sacks in the final three contests of the season. We've groaned at the sight of long run after long run.

When will it go back to normal? When will the Niners regain their identity as the "baddest" defense in the league?

As Niners fans, we're hoping it's this week against the Green Bay Packers when Justin Smith presumably makes his return from his triceps injury. It's almost a foregone conclusion that he will be limited and playing with a triceps at roughly 70% full strength.

But we need him. Justin Smith will have to be the hero on defense. As stated before, the number one goal on the Niners agenda should be stopping Aaron Rodgers and Justin Smith is the center of it all on defense.

He plays a role in everything...run stopping, pass rushing, game planning...it's all connected. Stop the run in nickel; allow more DBs on the field to defend quick receivers. Achieve effective pass rush with four; drop more DBs into coverage. Revive Aldon Smith; make Ahmad Brooks more effective. Make OLBs more dangerous; allow corners to play more physical at the line against receivers (to an extent).

I could go on and on. I know Justin Smith doesn't impact everything directly but it sure looks like he's the catalyst on a lot of the things the Niners do on defense.

His presence is obvious. His play is needed. We need Justin Smith more than ever.

#49ers #nfcplayoffs #packers

So it begins...49ers Playoffs 2012

Every day until game day, I'll highlight one aspect of the 49ers-Packers clash that I feel will have an immense impact on the game.

We'll start with the quarterbacks but not in the sense that the quarterback who plays better will prevail. I know this sounds a little confusing but allow me to explain.

The play of Colin Kaepernick will undoubtedly be a huge aspect in this game but the play of Aaron Rodgers is much more important in regards to the outcome of the game. The Packers revolve around Aaron Rodgers and only Aaron Rodgers while the Niners identity is still based on the play of the defense.

Therefore, for the Niners to win this game, their identity will have to be on bold display. Stopping Aaron Rodgers is number one. Kap can be excellent but if the Niners don't stop Rodgers, it won't matter. He's playing near flawlessly in the past month, tearing apart defenses with his accurate deep throws and timely third down conversions.

So what would a picture-perfect Niners defense do to halt the mighty Rodgers offense?

1. Excellent pass rush

So obvious but so true. Give Rodgers time to throw and he will have the secondary in scrambles.

2. Kill the run game

No way the Packers should be able to get their running game established with DuJuan Harris, Ryan Grant, and John Kuhn. If they do, this one's over.

3. Take away the outside

Can't allow Rodgers to loft those perfect passes to Jordy Nelson and James Jones down the sideline for big gains. Instead, make him go over the middle where Landmine Goldson and Landmine Whitner are hovering around.

Obviously, I can go much more in depth here but I figure I'll save some thoughts for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Week 17: Arizona Cardinals @ San Francisco 49ers

I'm on vacation but I'll make a prediction anyways. San Francisco 34 Arizona 17 Hoping for a convincing win against the lowly Cardinals...

Week 16 Revisited

We got thrashed.

Let's take a look at my BOLD STATEMENTS so my credibility can go to hell.

BOLD STATEMENT 1: 49ers defense limits Lynch to under 100 yards (Not likely…over 100 in last two games and that was WITH Justin Smith playing)

BOLD STATEMENT 2: David Akers makes a crucial 50+ yard FG in the 4th quarter (Get that clutch mojo back while telling that Twitter troll to shove it)

BOLD STATEMENT 3: Vernon Davis catches a 20+ yard touchdown (GASP)

BOLD STATEMENT 4: Russell Wilson gets sacked 4 times (Has happened only once this year; also hard because TFL aren’t the same as sacks; Justin Smith is unlikely to play *panic*)

BOLD STATEMENT 5: Colin Kaepernick rushes for more yards than Russell Wilson (Only bold because Seattle has been running a lot of option plays with Wilson. Kap also runs only when he has to and looks to pass more often)

BOLD STATEMENT 6: Donte Whitner records an interception (Doesn’t get much bolder than this. Wilson has thrown one interception in his last 143 pass attempts. Oh, and Whitner has bricks for hands)

BOLD STATEMENT 7: San Francisco 27 Seattle 23 (49ers clinching the division in Seattle. Sounds too good to be true. Bold.)

49ers defense limits Lynch to under 100 yards: Fail. Marshawn Lynch went for 111 yards and a touchdown. He also caught a 2 yard pass for a touchdown.

David Akers makes a crucial 50+ yard FG in the 4th quarter: Fail. Akers did make a 54 yard FG in the second quarter but got a 21 yarder blocked and returned for a game changing touchdown.

Vernon Davis catches a 20+ yard touchdown: Fail. Vernon got his bell rung by Kam Chancellor and had to leave the game with a concussion.

Russell Wilson gets sacked 4 times: Fail. Russell Wilson was sacked once. He ran circles around the 49ers defense and made Aldon Smith and Ahmad Brooks look helpless in pursuit.

Colin Kaepernick rushes for more yards than Russell Wilson: True. 31 yards for Kap, 29 for Russell. Numbers lie though.

Donte Whitner records an interception: Fail. I can't stop laughing at my stupidity.

San Francisco 27 Seattle 23: Fail. Seattle 42 San Francisco 13. An absolute mauling. Score makes it seem closer than it was.

I probably won't do a BOLD STATEMENTS section for awhile. I was almost as bad as the Niners were. Embarrassing.

#49ers #Niners

Week 16: San Francisco 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks

After the 49ers beat the Patriots last Sunday my buddy, Joey and I came to a conclusion. That SNF game was the most emotional game this year.

I have a feeling we'll be in for the same type of deal this Sunday night.

Already, I've been jumping back and forth on my predictions. When the Seahawks spanked the Buffalo Bills, I was worried that their offense was all of a sudden prolific. Then on Monday and Tuesday, I saw how much praise the national media NFL pundits were piling on Russell Wilson and the Seahawks and it didn't seem right to me. People are actually envisioning the Seahawks in the Super Bowl? Please. That led to my unreasonable confidence that the Niners would stomp on Seattle, 12th Man to be damned.

It's Friday now and I'm back to normal. No whimpering at the mention of Marshawn Lynch. No outrageous proclamation that Seattle has only won because they're the luckiest team in America. Just realistic ruminations about this playoffs-implicated match up between two of the most "physical with an F" (Yep...I went there) defenses in the league.

Typically, I do a "Key Match-Ups" or "Keys to the Game" and lately, I've even done some "Fearless Forecasts" for some of the key players in the game. Those get boring so I'm trying something "new" this week.

Introducing BOLD STATEMENTS or BS (oh, the irony), where I make seven bold statements that pertain to a potential 49ers victory. Last one is my prediction.

BOLD STATEMENT 1: 49ers defense limits Lynch to under 100 yards (Not likely...over 100 in last two games and that was WITH Justin Smith playing)

BOLD STATEMENT 2: David Akers makes a crucial 50+ yard FG in the 4th quarter (Get that clutch mojo back while telling that Twitter troll to shove it)

BOLD STATEMENT 3: Vernon Davis catches a 20+ yard touchdown (GASP)

BOLD STATEMENT 4: Russell Wilson gets sacked 4 times (Has happened only once this year; also hard because TFL aren't the same as sacks; Justin Smith is unlikely to play *panic*)

BOLD STATEMENT 6: Donte Whitner records an interception (Doesn't get much bolder than this. Wilson has thrown one interception in his last 143 pass attempts. Oh, and Whitner has bricks for hands)

BOLD STATEMENT 7: San Francisco 27 Seattle 23 (49ers clinching the division in Seattle. Sounds too good to be true. Bold.)

#49ers #Seahawks #NFL #SNF #football #San Francisco #Seattle

Week 15: San Francisco 49ers @ New England Patriots

The Patriots can be beat. The Patriots can be beat. The Patriots can be beat.

Maybe if we repeat it enough times, we’ll actually believe that a Belichick coached team led by Tom Brady can actually be beaten in Foxboro late in the season. Make no doubt about it, the Niners will be facing a ton of “adversity” this week…likely on both sides of the ball.

—

Keys to the Game

1. Game plan

This is such a blanket statement because it covers everything. There are games where super talented teams can skate by and win with a leaky game plan. This is not one of those games. I think that the major focus this week isn’t defense related. Everyone knows what Tom Brady offers and brings to the table. The play action passes are deadly, he gets rid of the ball quickly (Patriots run a play every 25 seconds…insane), he reads defenses extremely well to give Stevan Ridley running room, etc. The real focus for the Niners this week is countering Belichick’s game plan versus Colin Kaepernick. I don’t know what the Patriots are going to do on defense but I sure as hell believe it’ll be something Kap has never seen before. Here’s hoping Jim Harbaugh can match wit for wit with the best coach in football since Bill Walsh.

2. Punish the YAC

Tom Brady is excellent at leading his receivers. He almost always puts the ball in a spot where his receivers can make the catch and run after the catch. Mostly, the benefactors are Wes Welker and his elite tight end duo, Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski. Though the Gronk is questionable to play tonight, Brady won’t be short of playmakers who can get yards after the catch. It’ll be up to the hardest hitting safety duo in the league, bar none, to send a message loud and clear to any receiver who tries to go over the middle and pick up extra yards.

3. Option

The Patriots will see it coming. The Pistol offense is what Kap is most comfortable in and he’s already had a few plays in the NFL that demonstrate his ability to run the option play from the Pistol formation. The great thing about the option (when run by a QB who knows what he’s doing) is that the offense, in theory, will always have the advantage. The QB has the luxury of reading the tendencies of the defense before deciding which direction to go. If the Niners want to take advantage of this opportunistic Patriots defense, I think the option is the best way to go.

—

Prediction: San Francisco 31 New England 27

The hell with the weather. I think this one’s going to be a high scoring affair. Holding the Patriots under 30 will be tough but I think the Niners D will continue to show the nation why they’re the best in the league. The Niners offense will have to match the Patriots on offense and I definitely think they can.

Week 14: Miami Dolphins @ San Francisco 49ers

Thorn. That's the word that best describes the Rams to me. The Rams have lost to the Lions, Dolphins, and Jets yet have "beaten" the Niners twice. How annoying is that. I'm not even going to get into all the mistakes that the Niners made last week but I'll be damned if that wasn't the most frustrating loss of the season. Kudos to you, Jeff Fischer. Moving on to the Dolphins...

Miami has some pieces but the Niners should handle this team with ease. Coming off a loss, I would expect nothing less than a dominant performance but the 49ers. The defense will probably play lights out again and I can see Colin Kaepernick putting in a nice game against a pretty solid defense.

49ers to watch on Offense

1. Colin Kaepernick

Just because it's obvious, doesn't mean it's not true. All eyes will be on the QB this Sunday as Niners fans are getting a bit antsy with his most recent performance. There are individuals who are already convincing themselves that his performance against the Saints wasn't that good either. Kap needs to play well and most importantly, win to silence the naysayers. I think he does.

Fearless Forecast: 20-29 270 Yds 2 TDs 0 Int 4 rushes 30 Yds

2. Vernon Davis

We say it every week but at some point, Vernon's just gonna have to get the damn ball. Karlos Dansby, Reshad Jones and Chris Clemons will likely draw the assignment to blanket him but at some point, Davis will have a one-on-one play and Colin will have to find him.

Fearless Forecast: 5 receptions 78 Yds 1 TD

3. Joe Staley

Cameron Wake is good.

49ers to watch on Defense

1. Carlos Rogers

Brian Hartline is Ryan Tannehill's favorite target and he can really rack up the yards. Though he only has one TD, Hartline can get all kinds of yards out of the slot. Rogers often struggles with speedy, shifty WRs...

2. Patrick Willis

I don't think P Willy has ever been a "Player to Watch" because he's as solid as they come. I just think he will have a big responsibility this week with Reggie Bush out of the backfield.

3. Aldon Smith

This one's too obvious. 17.5 sacks. Jonathon Martin (Sorry JM. I don't like picking on former Cardinal players not named Richard Sherman and Doug Baldwin but we're talking about Aldon Smith here). I just wanted to do a fearless forecast for the sack machine.

Fearless Forecast: 3.5 sacks, 5 tackles

Prediction: San Francisco 27 Miami 9

Don't let me down now.

Week 13: San Francisco 49ers @ St. Louis Rams

First off, an inactive Danny Amendola is huge considering the damage he did against the Niners during the last matchup. That'll lead right into the first key of the game which is a repeat from before: 1. No big plays from Chris Givens and Daryl Richardson. Givens is a very talented deep threat. Rogers, Brown and Cully will have to constantly match him step for step on go routes. Whitner also needs to play well as his coverage skills have been very suspect lately. 2. Be cautious, Colin Kap hasn't turned the ball over much but be very weary of this talented Rams defense. Solid corners in Cortland Finnegan and Janoris Jenkins. I can see Coach Jeff Fischer baiting Kap to throw into coverage...Kap's just gonna have to play smart and make the right reads. Prediction: San Francisco 20 St. Louis 16 Offense will stall on both sides today as both defenses are playing lights out. I see both defenses making huge plays. This one is a toss up for me but I like the Niners offense a bit more than Bradford's and the Ram's.

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