The 49ers had a chance to stick in a first place tie, if Arizona lost or won. Will it happen? Highly doubtful. The reason being is the offense has been pathetic. The defense has been on the field for 75 percent of the game. The reason the defense was out there so long horrible play calling by Mike Martz. Although, there's only 3 examples of the play calling it had cost the 49ers each time.
The first one came in the second quarter it was 3rd down with 1.5 yards to go. Instead of using the offensive line and pounding forward for the first time, he tries it to the right side of the offensive line and Gore gets pushed backwards for a 1.5 yard loss. Causing the 49ers to punt.
The second example is right after the 49ers actually got a defensive stand and the 49ers had the ball on the 13 yard line. JT O'Sullivan had about a eight yard scramble so on second and two they call a pass play and O'Sullivan didn't see Rodney Harrison who tipped the ball and caught it for his second interception thrown in the game. Instead of giving the ball to Frank Gore who would have more then likely got a first down allowing for the 49ers defense to rest.
The last example was again play calling. The 49ers had the ball and didn't do anything with it they had a few yards to go and instead throw a screen to Josh Morgan who lost a few yards and the 49ers had to punt again. Martz continued to call plays that had no chance of gaining any significant amount of yards.
Now onto the defense. What's there to say you have to give them some credit for keeping the 49ers in the game, but in the second quarter with about 3:36 left in the half and the Patriots got the ball at the 20. Instead of the defense being aggressive they allowed way too much of a cushion on the receivers and they eventually scored on a touchdown run by Kevin Faulk.
Even though it was quite obvious that the Patriots were going to run the ball. Faulk's second touchdown run was the same thing on a fourth down play from the second yard line he should have been stuffed. Even though the Patriots were in a passing formation from the two it was obvious they were going to run it with Faulk. Also, lastly the 49ers defense needed to be more aggressive against the run the Patriots were a team with no running backs with a 100 yards in total on the ground yet this year.
Even though the 49ers have been embarrassing today for some reason they are still close to the Patriots only trailing 27-21 with about 10 minutes remaining. The only way the 49ers will be able to pull the game out is by playing more aggressively on defense and pressuring Cassell, which has happened only a few times in the game.
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about 1 month ago
Lastly with 4:53 left the 49ers got the ball at the 36 yard line had to go 74 yards to get to the endzone trailiing by 9. Do the 49ers player with any sense of urgency after getting a first down? No! If you're a 49er fan you have to be embarassed in how the the game was played today. Absolutely embarassing! Mike Nolan should be fired after this game! There's absolutely no excuse for any professional football team to look like the Niners did today!
about 1 month ago
I hope they can get it together in the next two weeks, is all I hope. I think I remember Walsh saying "establish the run" first, if you have a running back, otherwise, throw short, quick, passes, outs and use your receivers like backs. Well, they have Frank Gore who can run quite well and he also can catch. He got the ball only 12 times.
about 1 month ago
O' sullivan needs a bit more time back there in the pocket .And he needs to look for more than just 1 reciever. Sadly for us fans we once again have those painful growing pains to endure. He wont last the season at this rate. Get rid of Nolan And get Eddie De Bartolo back in the drivers seat.
about 1 month ago
Why the heck hasn't Mike Martz utilized Vernon Davis he didn't catch one pass against the Patriots. Not even a ball thrown is way. The only good news for the 49ers is that the Eagles are more then likely going to have Westbrook out.
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