Here are three things I learned Sunday:
1. The Saints are on fire. They dominated the Raiders offensively and defensively. The Saints have won five of their last six games. Their offense looks balanced and explosive and nearly unstoppable, and they’ve been without RB Darren Sproles, who will most likely return from a hand injury against the Niners Week 12. That’s going to be a tough matchup for the Niners, because the Saints are a much better team at home than they are on the road.
2. Although they seem to match up well against the 49ers, the Rams really aren’t a good team. They got clobbered by the New York Jets today, 27-13. The Rams have not won a game since October 4th.
3. If the 49ers win on Monday night, they’ll have the 2nd best record in the NFC. If they lose, they’ll have the 4th best record in the NFC.
What did you learn today?
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I learned the 49ers better bring their A game on defense when they visit Foxboro next month.
Good point. The Patriots are starting to turn it on.
I got tickets for that game. Looking forward to seeing that battle in person!
Nice. Good game to buy tickets. Take some pictures.
That’s an extremely tough matchup for the Niners defense. Rogers vs. Welker and Whitner vs. Gronkowski.
Notice the 9er-esque short pass offense the Pats utilized today. It seems RGronkoski can get open in their scheme or is it he is targeted with designed plays. Hmm?
*Gronkowski*
He has a QB who throws him the ball.
Jack, your objective blog is calling!! LOL
In what universe is 331 yards, 3 TDs a “49er-esque” passing offense?
Clem, obviously you are commenting without watching the game. It was short passing with YAC especially by RGronk.
The Patriots’ passing offense is prolific. The 49ers passing offense is limited.
Prolific and limited are opposites, not synonyms.
Just passing doesn’t beat the Niners. A balanced attack does.
The 49ers rushing game is superb. The Patriots is limited. When these two different offensive styles collide I will be rooting for the 49ers while you will be wallowing in the negative. I like my life a whole lot better.
I’ve never seen so much negative with a 6-2-1 team as I have this year! SMH
hof
You likely haven’t because last years team was 9-1, and it was all positive here.
Right?
DS – Why is Hofe so tense? Hofer this is no time to give up the vino. Dr Oz says 1-2 glasses a day is healthy. :-)
That’s a funny comment coming from someone who has been consistently complaining about the offense week in and week out. Good times!
“consistently complaining about the offense week in and week out.”
Jack,
You still can’t call it straight. I’ve mentioned that the passing offense hasn’t been very good especially when it comes to matchups and utilizing their best weapon (VD). GR is a run centric OC – it’s not surprising.
Jack, if you are going to add your measly two cents, at least get it right!
LOL, the best was after the Jets game when even DS called out your negativity. Good Times ; )
Jack,
That is you retort? Drama? I’ve got an idea…let’s send all of the drama minder to your blog. It’s fantasy anyway!
*drama minded*
I won’t read it but, +1
I’ve never seen so much negative with a 6-2-1 team as I have this year! SMH. Glass house Hofer?
Hoferfan67 says:
September 30, 2012 at 6:50 pm
Prime, if that’s the case – ground and pound, I don’t like the offense plain and simple. You can disagree all you want. The 9ers need to be able to turn on a vertical pass play when they are losing like last week in Minn. Where’s the no huddle when they are behind?? If they can’t, don’t expect much in the playoffs unless they become more consistent. I’ve been spoiled. This is not an offense that excites me to say the least. If you enjoy it, then good for you!
Good investigation work Jack, Hof is a frustrated Smither. Good times
hof
You really bought too much into the new offense talk many here spouted.
Those of us such as Prime and myself among others didn’t buy into it. We said we’d remain true to what we are. Ground ‘n pound or whatever you call it. And we are 6-2-1. That following 8-1 last year. Not too bad.
The games we lost, we didn’t pound it. The one we tied, our D stank it up badly. Giving up 2 opening TD’s, that is more concerning than any Ground ‘n pound offense.
I tried to warn you not to expect a huge passing attack type game in the off-season. We aren’t that. AS, CK, ST doesn’t mater. That isn’t our identity.
If that upsets you, look at the Jets who wanted to change who they are. Went from going to 2 straight AFC Title games to what they are now. Tebow-fest. Now they can’t run the ball either. I like what we are. I wish you could as well.
Jack,
You are trying too hard. There is nothing in that one off comment that is incorrect or negative. I’m stating facts regarding the 9er passing game. Did you spend all afternoon trying to find that comment?
About 15 seconds Hofer. How could I forget DS and Prime Time calling out your negativity?
Jack,
It’s all relative. Kind of like your unbiased analysis.
Since I wrote that comment, the 9ers validated my point in that comment when they got behind against the NYG and didn’t respond with any sense of ability to come back when behind by two scores. You see that is the difference. Stating something and then validating by facts. It’s a novelty here.
Ground and pound works great in the regular season. Unfortunately it’s not enough in the playoffs. The Jets made it to the championship game twice and lost to superior passing teams. The 49ers made it to the championship game and lost to a superior passing team.
The last ground and pound team that made it to the Super Bowel was 10 years ago. The rules have changed since then. It is much more difficult to carry a bad passing offense today.
Can the 49ers become a good passing team? Not with the current QB. That’s been proven this year. When the 49ers attempted to open up the passing attack it failed miserably. The team needs to see what CK has and if he isn’t the answer then they need to hit the draft and try to get a franchise QB.
Hof, maybe it is time to get some fresh air.Been on here to long.Good times Hofer.
“It’s all relative. Kind of like your unbiased analysis.”
About time you got it right ; )
Neal,
I believe you are incorrectly pointing that comment in the wrong direction. If a time study were conducted here, it would be nose to nose between Jack and 1-2 others as to the total time per day they are on this blog.
I hope you enjoyed your BBQ. It was perfect weather for it!
Gronkowski has a broken forearm!!
Out six weeks.
Ribico
Why just focus on the D? You want them to carry the offense once again? Lets hope we get an A game from all three phases: O, D, and special teams.
Nick, the Pats have been rolling up big numbers against pretty good teams. It IS up to the defense to keep it close. If an Andrew Luck led offense (remember him? 100x better QB than Alex, right?) can’t match 60 or so the Pats put up on them, what chance does a “game manager” offense have? Get my drift?
The NFC East is the weakest division in the NFC, and it is going to be a great dog fight for the 2 Wildcard spots in the NFC.
Yeah, the Packers, the Seahawks, the Vikings, the Saints and the Bucs are all wild card worthy teams.
I will call the Bears and Saints as the Wild Card teams. Saints look like they could win out. Their schedule sets up nicely the rest of the way, and they have got things figured out.
Jack – Saints might win out? Are you looking at the right schedule bro?
Saints last 6 games in order: Niners, @Atl, @NYG, TB, @Dal and Car.
They could go 2-4 or 1-5. No way they go 6-0.
Crab,
I don’t see any game on there that they can’t win. They are much better right now than their record indicates.
I see them going 4-2 with that schedule. It all depends on which Niners and Giants teams show up to play them.
Jack – Have you been drinking today or did you get hacked? :-)
No way Saints go 6-0 with that schedule, the beat the lowly Raiders today not the Texans.
Lets wager.
Well they won’t win against us right Hammer? Then a dome team going on the road to NY and a still in the playoff hunt Cowboys and Bucs, plus ATL there?
Crab you are right, 1-5. Looking forward to the Bears tomorrow night, but equally excited for a rematch with the Saints.
Nobody’s got it better than us!
What do you have in mind Crab?
Hammer – Let me sleep on that. Unless you’ve got an idea?
Keep up the good work on your Niner Chatter blog.
Thanks Crab. Think about it this week, and we can do something next Sunday. I won’t bet against the 49ers.
Right on Jack. Big game tomorrow night, we have to show rest of league again who’s boss!
No mercy on Campbell! Unleash Aldon all night!!
The Saints have a horrible defense that gives up 400 yds a game.
The funny thing is the NFC East might be the strongest division in the AFC.
MidWest – 4-2 is realistic. I say Saints go 3-3 but I have not been picking games well the last two weeks.
I’ve done ok the past couple of weeks, but for some reason I couldn’t change my Eagles pick to Redskins despite logging in well before the deadline this weekend.
I learned that the parity the NFL favors is running rampant with 3 OTs today. BTW, the Raiders should have learned that a defensive minded coach is not the answer. They will make any team look like they are on fire.
Hof….
The key word there is ‘learned’….why would the current front office learn anything, when Al Davis, RIP, didn’t learn anything about the changing NFL, and keep pace with pro football, as it is, in the last 15 years? The ghost of Al roams the catacombs of Raider HQ.
Carson Palmers complete and total lack of mobility in the pocket sure doesn’t help. I stopped counting how many sacks and pressures he would have avoided by simply being able to move around in the pocket at least a little. Dreadful. The Palmer trade and subsequent lost picks did more damage to that team then any of Davis’s dreadful draft picks. Should go down as one of the all time worst trades, right up there with the Ricky Williams to New Orleans trade.
Bayarea fanatic was hysteriacal when the Bengals and Raiders made that trade. He thought the 49ers were foolish to not make that deal. Just goes to show how ego never makes good decisions.
Yup, some here preferred him over any of the 9er QBs.
You put “Carson Palmer” and “mobility” in the same sentence causing a rift in the space-time continuum that will eventually swallow the Earth and kill us all.
I hope you’re happy.
my bad?
If that were the case forget about hiring Harbaugh, a new stadium, or the playoffs last year. The team would be right where it left off with Singletary, nowhere faster than ever.
We learned that the Chargers are an incredible mass of suck. I’m surprised their gravity hasn’t dragged all of California into the ocean. How in the heck does Norv Turner still have a job? Also, what happened to Philip Rivers?
The Raiders continue to be horrible, much to my delight. They were almost the 1st team this season to not gain 400 yards against the Saints’ atrocious defense (they got 404). The Saints really need to re-institute their bounty program. The Raiders need to be relegated to the CFL.
The Browns are scrappy. If they had a semblance of an offense they’d be dangerous.
Has Andy Reid been fired yet? All season he refused to utilize LeShon McCoy until it didn’t matter. Then he over-used McCoy and got him hurt.
A squirrel in my front yard just intercepted a Matt Cassell pass. He promptly flaunted his nuts in the general direction of Kansas City.
That RGIII kid is pretty good.
If you don’t get pressure on Tom Brady he will eliminate you. Gronkowski has been voted “NFL Player Most Likely to Go Into Porn After Football”.
The Texans’ D briefly reverted to 2010 form and nearly choked up a game to South Jacksonville High School. Luckily for the Texans the Jags played like normal on D.
Are the Buccaneers the sneaky team that no one expects to make the playoffs but does? And who wins the douchiest coach contest, Schiano or Schwartz?
The Rams somehow made Sanchez look like a competent QB. How does a team look good against the 49ers and then look so bad against a horrible New Jersey team? The Edwards Jones Dome still smells like Snooki.
I’m fairly certain Von Miller committed a felony against Chargers’ RT Clary. I expect we’ll hear from the FBI soon.
The Steelers – Ravens game tonight should be fun. I’m rooting for both teams to lose but I think the Ravens will win.
And who wins the douchiest coach contest, Schiano or Schwartz?
Schwartz is a douche and Schiano is an ahole.
I believe it’s “dousche” and “asch-hole”.
That sounds more like you msclemons.
Weren’t you the same person crying Rivers is way better than Smith.
Rivers has reached his ceiling, while Alex is still going up.
Rivers has been in a slow but steady decline since Tomilson left the team. He’s currently trying to get the former Chargers/Jets RB to rescind his retirement.
Mid,
PRivers play has gone down hill with the degradation of his OL. He doesn’t trust them.
“The Raiders need to be relegated to the CFL.”
Clemons, that is wicked funny. As for Schwartz or Schiano, Schwartz is the douchiest.
I learned that Chad Henne is a lot better then Blaine Gabbert. Blackmon had his coming out party today, after people were questioning his ability to get open he puts up 236 yards against Houston. If the Jag’s draft well on defense and have a healthy MJD this is a team that can be dangerous in coming years.
I learned that the Cardinals offense is so bad that even with 5 take aways they still cant score enough to win a game.
I learned that Dallas, Green Bay and Detroit are simply not very good. They all have major problems and neither should be given serious thought as post season contenders.
I learned why Fat Andy was so reluctant to bench Mike Vick.
Gabbert (Gah-holycrap-Bert)
verb
To crap ones’ pants. “He attempted a pass and promptly Gabberted”
Haha, thanks for the laugh. That was a good one. I wonder if there are any Gabbert cult members in Jacksonville kind of like what we’ve seen around here with AS.
What I learned you don’t want to know.
What I want to learn is who is under center tomorrow night. I guess Alex. Haven’t heard anything to the contrary.
Don’t think an individual game is more important than the sum of 16. Make the playoffs. Then an individual game is everything.
We can beat the Pats. They give up a lot of points.
We can beat the Saints. We did it last year.
OK. This is what I learned today:
My B day present was the Sunday Ticket with the RZC. Today, between 1 & 2 pm 3 (THREE) games went OT and 3 started. It was a most awesome hour for a Sunday couch potato (me).
So I learned the RZC can exceed it’s own greatness, but I still don’t know who the starting QB is for my Niners Monday night.
Prediction: Smith or Kaep or both- the 49ers romp over the Bears. It’s Monday night and it’s mid-November.
Btw, is it OK, Grant, to mention the RZC in your column?
I learned that the NFL is a league where you do not make predictions or think for a minute someone or some team is as bad or as good as you think.
It’s impossible to foreshadow anything in this game. Just when you think it’s gonna happen, it goes sideways.
This is why I love it. It’s so unpredictable and the underdog always has a chance and the favourite is never a forsure.
Even monkeys can learn things once in a while
I learned that no one has separated themselves from the rest of the pack. I also learned the Chiefs have a good shot at drafting first overall in April 2013.
Are the Steelers wearing prison uniforms as a token of solidarity with the injured Rapistberger?
https://twitter.com/Jobeofthejungle/status/270373249320374273/photo/1
I learned that linebacker Von Miller may be as good as Willis and Bowman.
My biggest surprise today was Browns rookie QB Brandon Weeden, he made some mistakes but he played better than Andrew Luck (three INT’s and two pick sixes) today.
I learned in week 11 that Baalke made a good deal last April when he traded a 4th rounder to Carolina for their 2013 3rd round pick… which should be pretty high since Carolina is now 2-8.
Brodie2Gene – I forgot about that trade, thanks!
The 2012 4th rounder Carolina got from San Francisco was was pick #103. In return, the 2013 pick San Francisco will be should be between #64-#70. A pretty good value pickup, and great for packaging with existing picks.
The 49ers also have the Colts 2013 5th rounder, and a few extra 6th rounders.
Sorry re my editing typos. Meant to write…
The 2012 4th rounder Carolina got from San Francisco was pick #103.
In return, the 2013 pick San Francisco got from Carolina will be between #64-#70. A pretty good value pickup, and great for packaging with existing picks.
A couple of DL and DBs would be a good start with all of the picks in 2013. They can bundle a few draft picks to move up and get the top guys in the 1st and 2nd round. Good times.
Hoferfan67… Yup. I think defense will be the focus of the 2013 draft. Depends on which free agents are re-signed. DEs and DBs are nice. The 49ers still need depth at OLB, and no team can ever have enough stud pass rushers (DE or OLB).
I’ve learned every week that when you think you’ve learned something, you haven’t. This league is the definition of unpredictable.
That’s interesting coming from a guy who only missed 1 pick so far this week. Tip ‘o the cap to you Rocket.
Thanks Jack. As the saying goes, even a broken clock is right twice a day.
And kudos for achieving the same record this week.
Thanks Rocket. What’s your take on the Saints?
Damn raiders. Don’t know why I thought they would pull out the upset of the week. I’ve learned I’m an idiot when I think the Raiders might do something. Lol
Jack,
The Saints are looking like they’ve gotten over the hangover they had to start the year. The return of Joe Vitt seems to have stabalized things around there. The offense is playing as well as ever, but the defense is still not very good. It will be a tough game going into the SD on a short week no doubt about it.
Rocket
That’s true every year in the NFL – nothing new there.
Nick,
I don’t know about anybody else, but for me it’s even more unpredictable this year. I mean I can’t find a team that I would designate as a favorite right now. There is no dominant team and I now expect to see upsets every week. Yesterday was crazy with the Jags almost beating the Texans and the Browns doing the same in Dallas. The Jets looked like they were all but done and they go into STL and beat the Rams handily. Most years you at least have a short list of teams that you see being in the SB by this time. This year I have no clue who will make it.
Rocket,
So true. You really don’t see anything truly different from team to team. Even the small intricacies such as getting to the huddle and line of scrimmage quickly, by being a half second quicker than the opponent, doesn’t seem to matter when watching most of these games.
I learned that tickets to that Niner vs Bear game is gonna cost me an arm and a leg. Jason Campbell isn’t supposed to be kind of a draw!! Lol
Add the fact that both teams want to play a ball control, rushing attack game. Plus the two best defences in the league and its a 6-3 game, hopefully San Fran wins and you take it ticket wise up the turn pike!
$450-$575 lower box between the 20s.
How would the Niners be a 4 seed with a loss tomorrow? Wouldn’t they have a higher win percentage than the Giants?
Probably due to the tie against the Rams. One less win will affect our percentage.
The Niners cant beat Den or NE..We dont have the offense to keep up..
Arizona has the worst qb group ever in the history of the NFL..
Andy Reid and Norv Turner are toast.
The Rams arent that good at all and the Niners couldnt put them away @ home.
Blaine Gabbert really is that terrible..
Denver is winning the Super Bowl
The Raiders are a trainwreck.
Atlanta is completely beatable…good team not great.
Every time I see Ravens vs Steelers on primetime I plan on going out somewhere..That is always the most boring game..
I’ve learned that billacheat is an ego maniac that cost him his best receiver and probably a Super Bowl appearance. For an extra point in a blowout game. This guy just doesn’t learn. Oh well one less weapon the 49ers have to plan for in 3 weeks.
4 weeks*
Chris Mortenson is reporting that Alex Smith will not be playing tonight. He did not receive medical clearance.
Have no fear Kaep is here. It can be the end of era,if Kaep plays great, if so Smitherville will be freaking out, because their favorite song is Stand by your man by Tammy Wynete
Neal
How was the BBQ?
Hey Nick,
BBQ was great, New York Steaks, baked potato, corn on the cob, chocolate cream pie for desert and a couple of beers, won’t be hungry till Thanksgiving. Thanks for asking.
Captain checkdown went for a checkup. Too bad he’ll be sitting on the bench. However, I think CK will do just fine. At least we’ll learn what kind of QB he is with a full week of preparation and playing a full game.
Wtf? That sucks. I like ck but this game is not a good one to put him in. I NEED this WIN!!!!! And I don’t trust Akers this season. Run run and play action all day. Lets go ck
Just heard the news. My first reaction is we are doomed. There goes our home field advantage during the playoffs.
Then on second thought this is best opportunity for CK to show what he has and the org to see if he has any trade value for the future.
I pray we win.
I also heard the news this morning on KNBR. AS did not pass the contact test. I can only hope that there are no lingering effects going forward for AS’ future. I certainly wish him the best.
I know that CK has been chomping at the bit for an opportunity to play and now he gets his chance. I don’t see GR moving away from the standard offensive game planning.
I do see an occassional shot downfield if the Bears stack the box. I expect VD to play more as a interior lineman with a few passes to the RB’.
All CK has to do is play safe and not try anything spectacular.
I see a replica of the Steelers/Ravens game last night with the 49ers winning 13-10.
So if CK plays big tonight. Does this mean Smith is done? If he has any chance of starting he’s got to show up big to tonight.
Well Kap is finally warm!! I can’t wait for this one! I will be there and I will be there early! Kap will shock the blog, protect the ball, get our weapons involved downfield, and win this game. He may turn it over once, maybe twice, however, Jason Campbell will not move the football against our defense.
Kap has been chomping at the bit to prove that he can lead this team. If he wants to see the field in a starting role anytime soon, this is his moment. I believe he will soar like an eagle and punish the Bears. I hope we don’t play ultra conservative. Urlacher has his hands full. I’ll bet he’d rather see Smith instead of Kap! Go Kap, Go Niners!
I agree that Urlacher has his hands full, although I bet they put Briggs on him so Urlacher can be abused by VD. The Bears will not get they’re normal pressure, because they spot rush a ton, I bet GRo plans some rollouts to keep the pocket moving tonight. Watch for a CK ‘across the field’ big play, you know, the ones QB’s aren’t supposed to throw, but CK wanting to make an impression and sporting a cannon for a right arm will try it and complete something ala Rapistburger.
I will be real surprised if the Bears do anything offensively. SHUT DOWN TIME.
The Saints look to be rolling, but honestly, the Rayduhs aren’t that great a test for their Defense. I’m not sure NO’s D is “back”. And if Oaktown hadn’t screwed the pooch on a couple of drives its a closer game. The game being down there though will make it double tough for the Niners, but let’s see if we can get past Chicago first.
I just learned that the judcial system does indeed have a sympathetic side to it….a judge has cleared Rolando McClain of all charges in the assault w/a deadly weapon that dummy was involved in….the judge must figure that being under contract to the Silver and Bleak is punishment enough, so no prison time is necessary.
The accusor decided to drop the chargers ie. he was paid off by McClain.