Spencr Picks, 49ers win

49ers get it done and congratulations to Mike Singletary. He made the right move in starting Troy Smith, who was terrific in the second half. Overall he completed 12 of 19 for 196 yards and a touchdown. He saw something in Smith that maybe his own coaches didn't see, and certainly I didn't see.

Denver runs back the punt for a TD, but gets called for a illegal block in the back.

49ers drive: Frank Gore is out and Anthony Dixon is in. Why? if not Gore why not Westbrook? Time out is called after two straight runs. Another run and no first down.

49ers drive: What will the 49ers do? Will they allow Smith to throw?

The kicker just missed it. He just snapped it right.

Broncos drive: Controversial call on the Brandon Lloyd. It was reviewed and he did get both feet down. Denver is now down at the 1.

49ers drive: Three straight scores by the 49ers offensive, after the 49ers failed to score an offensive touchdown in six quarters. Two running TD's for the 49ers. They haven't had one since the second game of the season. Doing all this without Vernon Davis.

Denver drive: Manny Lawson causes a fumble, and Spikes recovers. 49ers set up at Denver 20. Lawson is having a monster game.

49ers drive: Touchdown Michael Crabtree. Great throw by Troy Smith to Crabtree who beat man coverage on the sluggo route - the slant and go. The 49ers have a lead and do the 49ers have a quarterback? He's 7 of 9 for 155 a touchdown pass and a TD run

Denver drive: Great tackle by Patrick Willis on a third-down pass forces a punt. It seems that Willis wraps up every time. That's why he's so good.

49ers drive: Two straight long passes to Delanie Walker put the ball on the 1, and Smith ran it in from there. Great throw over the middle to Walker on the first play, and then a jump ball for 38 yards on the second play. Walker pushed off but it wasn't called. Now can Smith do it again? Can he make enough plays to win the game?

Broncos drive cont: The 49ers aren't wrapping up on defense. A screen pass for Thomas went for big yardage. Denver settles for a 32-yard field goal. The 49ers got lucky on third down because of no call on Shawntae Spencer who held Brandon Lloyd in the end zone.

Lloyd already has four catches for 120 yards. Broncos lead 10-3.

Broncos drive: Touchdown to Jabar Gaffney, called back because of a chop block on Moreno. He got Travis LaBoy. Dashon Goldson got burned on the flea flicker. The 49ers got lucky there on a questionable call. Orton is back.

49ers drive: We've gone back to Jimmy Raye. Two tight end formations until third down when they go with three receivers and then run. Boring and ineffective , another 3 and out.

Broncos drive: It could be Tebow time. Orton is hurt after a crushing hit.

49er drive: Ragged drive, but 49ers can't make good on a 30-yard pass to Josh Morgan. 49ers still having problems getting the play in. Nedney missed a 52-yard field goal.

Broncos drive: 71-yard pass play to Brandon Lloyd who like he beat Taylor Mays in the four deep zone. First time Mays has been beaten deep. Mays got caught flat-footed.

49ers drive cont: Mike Johnson is going too conservative. They ran on third and 7 despite Denver having a lot players on the line of scrimmage.

49ers drive: 49ers are driving but having trouble getting the play in. They've called two timeouts on this first drive of the third quarter. Chilo Rachal is sealing off his guy every time while pulling. This is his best game. 49ers are driving and now have to call time out because of slow play transmission.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | October 31 2010 at 01:06 PM

49ers lead 3-0 and get ball first in second half

First half summary: The 49ers did not take advantage of a fine defensive effort. They couldn't get anything going offensively against a poor defensive unit. Smith has also enjoyed good play from the offensive line. New stream for second half.

Denver cont: Justin Smith got his third sack of the season and he was smart in doing it. He was about to hurl Orton on his head but refrained at the last moment. Greg Manusky is doing a good job of mixing pressures and going with rush zones.

Denver cont: NaVorro Bowman has been a liability in coverage; so the 49ers are trying to solve that problem by blitzing him.

Denver drive: Horrible call on Manny Lawson. He got called for a personal foul for a blow to the head, but Orton was ducking at the time. But that's the rule. It should have been a 12-yard sack instead it was a 15-yard PF penalty. Two minute warning.

49ers drive: It looks like running back Frank Gore looks like he's setting protections at times from the shotgun formation. He better do it every time because if he doesn't the Broncos know it's a draw, which they stopped on this drive. It's a good thing Denver can't score, because Troy Smith has struggled since the field goal drive. He's 4 of 9 now.

Broncos drive: Denver starting to move the ball a little, but their bad field position is ending in punts. Kyle Orton fled on third down and dove too early for the first down. The reason maybe because he was in the middle of the NFL emblem at mid field and probably didn't know where the marker was. Denver was lucky they didn't get called for a hold. Ray McDonald was collared on that play.

49ers drive: 49ers punt; it looked like on third down that tight end Delanie Walker had no idea where to go, which might have messed up the play. Nevertheless, Chilo Rachal is playing pretty well in this game. With Denver weak on the defensive right, Rachal is pulling quite often and doing a good job.

Broncos drive cont: 49ers force another punt. The 49ers are going with more pressures in this game. Aubrayo Franklin got a tackle for a loss, he's dominating the Broncos rookie center.

Broncos drive: Denver has had horrible field position. They started their last drive at their 3. This time they are deep inside their own red zone.

49ers drive: Terrific drive by the 49ers. Troy Smith was very sharp, completing slant patterns to Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker. The 49ers had an interesting mix in personnel groups with three tight ends, and a couple of plays to Brian Westbrook. Only disappointment was not getting a first down on third and short against an injured Broncos front. 49ers 3-0.

Broncos drive: Wow, six-man pressure and a sack, but Orton went down by himself in a Jim Everett-like moment. Shawntae Spencer struggled last week. On this drive he missed a tackle on Moreno and then lost leverage on Brandon Lloyd for a completion. Running back Moreno gets 18 yards after bouncing outside, something the 49ers have been unable to stop on the drive's first play.

49ers drive: Three and out for the 49ers. The 49ers came with a three tight-end formation on the first play. On second down, Troy Smith went deep to a double-covered Michael Crabtree. He overthrew him but showed good arm strength.

Broncos drive: Manny Lawson just hobbled off. 49ers force three and out.

Tarell Brown (back) will not play. But Anthony Dixon, Nate Clements and most especially, tight end Vernon Davis will play. Jerry Rice and John Elway were honorary captains. Rice got a huge roar from the crowd. Broncos get the ball first.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | October 31 2010 at 11:20 AM

Game over. 49ers are 1-6

The scene at the end of the game - Mike Singletary standing by himself, scratching his head for a long time. He's baffled. This season is over. I was going to write this in the preview, now the 49ers have to question everything. Their defense, their head coach, their coach, even their owner. Imagine what the 49ers players might be thinking while they embark on an eight-hour flight to England after this horrendous loss. They might be thinking, "Why are doing this? We're a West coast team in the midst of a disappointing season now going all the way across the Atlantic?" Mike Singletary might have a really tough time just keeping this team together for the rest of the season.

49ers drive: They go with a goofy formation with just one O-lineman. They got called for formation violation and it looks like Carolina had 12 men on the field.

Panthers drive cont: Kasay, in his 20th year in the league is on the field for a 37-yard field goal. Panthers drive: Long completion to Lefell. They're in field goal range with 62 seconds left. 49ers drive cont: Panthers playing a lot of man. Picked by Richard Marshall at the 49ers 43. Davis was wipe open on the other side.

49ers drive: Offense has three timeouts and 1:53 remaining.

Panthers drive: 49ers allow 22-yard TD pass to Gettis. He beat Spencer. Wow

49ers drive: Delaine is a beast. He made another tackle on the kickoff. Greg Manusky went crazy on the sidelines after the McDonald TD. He was looking for somebody to hug and finally found equipment man Doc Dressler. The score however, keeps puts this exhausted defense back on the field. Reggie Smith is back in.

Panthers drive cont: Ray McDonald TD, Matt Moore threw it right to him on a screen. Moore thought the running back was going to stop and turn, instead he went down the field and McDonald made the pick. The defense needed to do something and they just did. Three turnovers for the 49ers, accounting for 13 points.

Panthers drive cont: Demetric Evans should have been called for a hit along the ankles. It hobbled Moore, and then the Panthers called timeout.

Panthers drive: Delanie Walker hits kick returner at 10. That's his third special teams tackle

49ers drive: 49ers get themselves into field goal range with six straight runs. Nedney will attempt a short field goal when the fourth quarter begins.

Panthers drive cont: What great pay back by Spencer, he forced the fumble coming all the way across the field. Now it's up to Carr.

Panthers drive cont: Wow Steve Smith just obliterated Shawntae Spencer on a block and then drilled him into the ground. He got caught for a personal foul. Ball is loose and the 49ers recover it.

Panthers drive cont: 49ers are blitzing more now, probably believing the defense has to make a big play. Teams have been excellent at beating the 49ers blitz. Quarterbacks have a rating over 100 against their blitz. Steve Smith is back.

Panthers drive: Smith is in his street clothes with his left shoulder iced.

49ers drive: Three and out. Carr is 1 of 3 with three poor passes down the field.

Alex Smith is out for the game with a AC sprain of his left shoulder. It's David Carr's show

Panther drive cont: 49ers smother third-down screen. Kasey makes 55-yarder that would have good from 60. He's 41. Panthers take lead.

This injury was bound to happen. He was getting hit on nearly every pass play. It was Anthony Davis who couldn't block Charles Johnson. David Carr came in to boos. He was in Carolina before going to the Giants and then coming to the 49ers. Now many will get their wish, because it doesn't look like Smith is coming back. By the way, terrible drive by Vernon Davis. He ran the wrong route, and then was called for a hold. That's uncharacteristic for Davis, who played cleanly this year.

Panthers drive: Steve Smith is hurt. It looks like a calf injury. That could be huge for the Panthers. Taylor Mays made a great break to stay with Smith on a long pass into the end zone. Mays has the speed of a cornerback.

49ers drive: Terrible drive. Smith is hurt. Looks like the left shoulder. Smith goes to locker room without moving his left arm. David Carr comes in and misses Vernon Davis who was open on sail route for a first down.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | October 24 2010 at 02:20 PM

First half over, 10-10 tie

First half summary: The Panthers might have the worst receiving corps in the game, but the 49ers secondary couldn't stay with them. Two PI's and then a 22-yard TD pass from the struggling Matt Moore to a rookie David Gettis, tied the game. It Gettis's first touchdown of his career. Smith started hot by then cooled rapidly. Carolina has already scored their season average - 10 points. New stream for the second half.

Panthers drive: Clements sack on Matt Moore deprives Panthers a chance for a score. New dream for second half.

49ers drive: 49ers get one first down and then punt. Alex Smith started fast, but he'll end the half completing only 50 percent of his passes, 9 of 18.

Panthers drive cont:Touchdown David Gettis, the rookie. Clements got beat by a double move by the rookie,22-yard play. Horrible drive by Clements. Another PI, this time on Will James. It keeps the drive alive.

Panthers drive: Officials say PI on Mays but the pass looked un-catchable on third down. The ball was way overthrown. Mays did hold him.

Panthers drive: Taylor Mays missed a few plays and now he's back after getting a stinger.

49ers drive: Nedney hits 24-yard field goal. The 49ers got the Panthers 10, then rookie Anthony Dixon lost 6 yards on an outside run and got yelled at by RB coach Tom Rathman. Why doesn't Westbrook come in as the first back off the bench?

Panthers drive: Clements strips and the 49ers get turnover. Haralson gets turnover

49ers drive: 49ers go three and out with a long incomplete pass to Ginn Jr. on third down against Captain Munnerlyn, a match up they should exploit. Good return by Steve Smith but it looked like he might have stepped out of bounds 10 yards earlier. Staley was back, and Rachal is doubtful to return.

Panthers drive: Three and out, terrific play by Dashon Goldson on run blitz on third down. He looked like Ronnie Lott on that play. On the punt return, KNBR's Gary Plummer said there was only 10 men on the field for the 49ers.

49ers drive cont: A drive of missed opportunities, a long pass to Josh Morgan was missed when he was led out of bounds. The offensive line is having some problems. Joe Staley went out causing Tony Wragge to come at guard and then Snyder moved to left tackle. I think Staley came back in however.

49ers drive cont: Rachal out with what looks like a stinger. Snyder in at right guard

49ers drive: When Delanie Walker said he healed fast, he wasn't fooling. He was on the kickoff return, which was a touch back.

Panthers drive cont: John Casey makes 47-yard field goal, after the 49ers get a stop at the 29-yard line. Clements made some key stops on the drive including a tackle on DeAngelo Williams when Williams tried to get outside.

Panthers drive: Tarell Brown has a back strain, night not return.

49ers drive:Touchdown 49ers, Vernon Davis's catches a 53-yard pass and then a 1-yard score on a pass to Davis. The bootleg was used three times, including on the two aforementioned passes. Great throw by Smith on the 53-yarder. 49ers since Mike Johnson has been the OC have scored on their first drive three out of the last four games.

Panthers cont: Great coverage by Clements on Steve Smith in the slot forces an incompletion.

Panthers drive: Nate Clements is starting. On third-and-6, Panthers call timeout. The 49ers showed their nickel defense with five defensive backs, a scheme they've played since Michael Lewis left. Rookie NaVorro Bowman was in, instead of Takeo Spikes. Panthers called timeout.

Great day for football, 73 degrees. The 49ers will be facing a rookie at right tackle.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | October 24 2010 at 11:20 AM

Raiders lead 6-3 at the half

First half summary: Singletary continues to have an ongoing conversation with Alex Smith. This offense could only muster 125 yards of offense against a bad defense. The coaching staff is wanting. Singletary challenged a fumble when the whistle blew, which makes the play unable to be challenged. Then on a field-goal formation, the 49ers trotted out nine players. The offense also doesn't seem prepared against the Raiders who don't look like they are doing anything special on defense. They aren't even blitzing. Is there hope for the second half?

49ers drive cont: 49ers get a field goal because of a 19-yard screen play to Westbrook and a 35-yard catch-and-run to Josh Morgan. But the drive was still frustrating. Smith had Davis open with an opportunity to score and Davis had to dive for a catch. Then on third down, Smith threw high and wide to Frank Gore, even though Smith had plenty of time.

49ers drive: Westbrook in. Raiders drive: The 49ers get a good return by Ted Ginn Jr. up their 40, but Anthony Dixon was called for hold.

49ers drive: The Raiders defense has been horrible, but the 49ers is making them look like the Ravens. Mike Singletary and Alex Smith are having a conversation but no warm up throws from David Carr. I wonder if Singletary is saying, you have one more drive?

Raiders drive: A three-and-out again. The defense is giving the offense a chance. Rod Brooks of KNBR said Singletary challenged the offensive line to run the ball, so expect them to do that.

49ers drive: Another thee and out. Two incompletions by Smith including a long third throw to Crabtree on pass designed to beat the two-deep coverage, but there wasn't enough room to make that pass. Raiders 6-0.

Raiders drive: A ball knocked down and a wild pass on third down and the 49ers force Raiders to punt.

49ers drive: The 49ers were lining up for 52-yard field goal but only had nine men on their kickoff formation. How does that happen? Then they decide to punt. Josh Morgan was wide open by the way for a touchdown, but Smith threw it outside. Smith was mad, it seemed as if he expected Morgan to run flag route instead of post. The 49ers then decide to punt and Andy Lee jacks into the end zone. If wasn't getting paid to watch this, I'd go clean the garage.

Raiders drive; Great diving interception by Manny Lawson. Ball at 49ers 48.

49ers drive: Anthony Davis missed an assignment, Smith threw too hot to Michael Crabtree and the 49ers go three-and-out. That was after a sack given up by Joe Staley. The tackles are struggling in this game. Brian Westbrook was in the game and open on a wheel down the field on the play in which Smith was sacked.

Raiders drive cont: Michael Bush is back. But it didn't matter, he was tackled on at the 6 by Justin Smith. But they tack on another field goal. Another double-digit drive play allowed by the defense. That's 11 this season. Raiders 6-0.

Raiders drive: Reverse! 43-yard gain by Louis Murphy. There's one no one there when Louis got the ball. The only guy to stay home was Taylor Mays. It looked like Manny Lawson had contain and lost Murphy.

First quarter analysis: The Raiders are waxing the 49ers in the trenches. That's why the 49ers have only had four plays on offense. The Raiders have already run 11 run plays.

Raiders drive: DHB with two catches. Michael Crabtree 0 so far. Just so you know.

Raiders drive: Michael Bush is hurt after getting a first down on third-and-short. Darren McFadden and Michael Bennett are both inactive for Oakland. The next back is Rock Cartwright.

49ers drive: Four penalties on the first drive. The play is as sloppy as the rainy weather. On Smith's last two throws, he had no time and was flushed to the right. He threw the ball away both times. Joe Staley was responsible for the first pressure and Anthony Davis was on the hook for the second pressure.

Raiders drive cont: The 49ers hold them to a field goal. The 49ers have now allowed 10 drives of 10 plays or more. The 49ers were able to tighten their coverage once Oakland entered the red zone. Raiders 3-0, the Raiders got 79 yards in 13 plays.

Raiders drive: Louis Murphy had cornerback Shawntae Spencer by at least 10 yards on the first play of the game. Safety Dashon Goldson came up on the flea-flicker. The 49ers got lucky the ball under thrown. The 49ers are forcing linebacker NaVorro Bowman in the game too soon. He's a talent, but he's not ready and Takeo Spikes is still playing well. Bowman played mostly on this drive, and the Raiders found plenty of room up the middle. Interesting towards the end of the drive, Spikes was put back in. Bowman missed tackle on crucial third-down run in the red zone by Jason Campbell. On the opening kickoff, Some guy named C.J. Spillman just made a great tackle on special teams.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | October 17 2010 at 02:30 PM

49ers get a touchdown on final play, lose 31-10

The 49ers score, Josh Morgan scores on a 12-yard pass, Morgan looked like he hurt his calf. That would be bad

49ers drive: One of the issues in this game is an inability for the receivers to get open down field. Smith has had nowhere to go.

Brian Jennings got crushed on while covering a punt, hopefully, it's not a concussion.

49ers drive: Another three and out, another two hit, including a sack, on Alex Smith. Anthony Davis is really struggling.

Chiefs drive: NaVorro Bowman is now in for Takeo Spikes. Touchdown again Kansas City. The Chiefs came in with the 30th-ranked defense, they are going to give up about 450 yards and close to 200 yards rushing. It's shameful. 31-3.

49ers drive: Another three and out, Vernon Davis couldn't make the catch over the middle.

Chiefs drive: 49ers do force a punt. At this point, big deal

49ers drive: Why didn't the 49ers kick a field goal? It was 4th-and-7 from the Chiefs 27. Why not go with the 45-yard field goal? Still on 4th down, Michael Westbrook was open in the middle of the field but Smith never saw him.

Chiefs drive cont: What a spectacular catch by tight end Tony Moeaki for a touchdown. It's now 24-3. Michael Lewis has a sprained ankle, his return is questionable.

Chiefs drive: Safety Michael Lewis is down.

49ers drive: Mistakes are rolling up for the 49ers now. On first down, the Chiefs rushed four, the 49ers protected with six, and yet a pass rusher went unblocked. Smith threw the ball away but got caught for intentional grounding. On third down, Anthony Davis missed a block that led to a sack. On the punt, Andy Lee kicked in short, and the 49ers were called for illegal man downfield.

Chiefs drive: Flea flicker pass works to Dwayne Bowe downfield. 49ers completely fooled. Chiefs up 17-3.

49ers drive: Smith gets hit twice; and goes three and out. The 49ers are getting nothing in the air.

49ers drive: Taylor Mays just got called for holding on the punt coverage. Bad call. Mays was simply aggressive. He had a little jersey, but not much and his hands were inside.

Chiefs drive: Why does it feel as if the 49ers are down by 30? 49ers do get a 3 and out.

49ers drive: The drive stalls, with Anthony Davis getting called for a personal foul when he punched nose tackle Shaun Smith. But Davis was well within his rights, it looked like Smith grabbed Smith's package.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | September 26 2010 at 12:40 PM

Saints win on 37-yard field goal.

Saints drive:Back shoulder pass down to the 18. Now this game might be over.

NaVorro Bowman made a tackle at the 30 or the Saints might have won it on the kickoff return.

The replay board reviewed the play, and Singletary put his hands up. It's a close play. The crowd reacted to Singletary.

Two-point conversion fails, but it will be reviewed on a short pass to Vernon Davis.

49ers drive cont: Draw TD! Gore on a draw.

49ers drive cont: The 49ers are down to the 7, great runs by Smith to get them in position.

49ers drive: The 49ers have two minutes and 66 yards between themselves and an the end zone. Here we go with two-minute drill. The 49ers ran this drill on Thursday and the first attempt ended in an interception, the second ended with a short pass to Michael Crabtree for a touchdown.

Saints drive cont: The 49ers had to call timeout because they only had 10 men on the field.

Reggie Bush left on a cart.

Saints drive: The ball went right through Phillip Adams hands. The Saints recover. That could be the game.

Saints drive: A three and out, this some of best 49ers defense of the last couple years.

Reggie Bush is hurt, he tried to get up and then fell back down again. Ahmad Brooks fell on his leg.

With the exception of that last throw, Alex Smith has been spot on. He's gotten some bad breaks with tipped passes and fumbles. Even if the 49ers lose, they have proven they can play a good team and beat them, if not for the little mistakes.

49ers drive: 49ers going with their two-tights, two-receiver formation but Smith and Davis mis-communicated on third down. The 49ers have to punt.

Saints drive: Great play by Manny Lawson of first down sniff out a screen to Pierre Thomas. The Saints couldn't recover from the 5-yard loss.

49ers drive: Promising drive goes for naught, when a tipped pass is picked by cornerback Tracy Porter. Three turnovers for the 49ers in the red zone and that's a killer. Gore fumbled a player earlier, but recovered his own fumble. There was too much traffic to make that pass.

Saints drive cont: Huge play by Reggie Smith on third down to knock away a pass from Colston and force a punt. The 49ers only rushed three. Garrett Hartley, kicking with the wind, nails the 46-yard field goal. It's 19-14.

Saints drive: You wondered if the fact the 49ers cut on their good special teams core players would hurt them. And it might have on the last punt return by Reggie Bush. He had open field and got it down to the 49ers' 35. Andy Lee did out-punt his coverage.

49ers drive: Vernon Davis just cost the team a 5-yard delay of game because he was one the sidelines. The 49ers couldn't overcome the penalty and had to punt.

49ers drive: With what the 49ers did last drive, will they still go with their two-tight, two-running back formation. I think they'll do something different.

Saints drive cont: The Saints are mixing groups, but not going with multi-receivers. Saints score after the long drive, Dave Thomas the founder of Wendy's scored on a 3-yard pass. It's 16-14

Saints drive: New Orleans is at the 49ers' 11 and the 49ers had to call time out with 3:37 in the third quarter. You never want to call defensive timeouts. Spikes's return to the game is questionable.

Spikes has a right knee contusion

49ers drive: 49ers score on one the most unusual drives I've ever since. Anthony Dixon capped the march with a 2-yard run out of a heavy run formation. The 49ers first three plays of the drive came out of two-tight, two-running back set. Alex Smith went 32 yards to Michael Crabtree, and then 41 yards to Vernon Davis on consecutive passes. Both throws were picture perfect. Execution was excellent, but the formations had the Saints back pedaling.

No catches for Michael Crabtree in the first half.

Saints drive: Spikes must be hurt, because Bowman is in for him. 49ers force a punt

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | September 20 2010 at 08:50 PM

Game over; 49ers lose 31-6

Stunning lose for the 49ers.The 25-point loss was the worst since losing to the Falcons 45-10 on Oct. 11. The 49ers couldn't take advantage of a player who had never played left tackle before; their own left tackle had a terrible game. Receiver Michael Crabtree dropped balls and seemed to be in the wrong place the whole day. Is this game a blimp, or an indication of a horrible season?

49ers drive: Josh Morgan is the returner with Ginn out. Two minute warning.

Seattle drive cont: Manny Lawson is back in the game, but it just doesn't matter.

Seattle drive cont: Big gain for Justin Forsett. I don't understand why the Seahawks go more with Julius Jones and Leon Washi ngton. Forsett is a good player. The 49ers, obviously, just want this game to end.

Seattle drive: Manny Lawson is hurt and the trainer is out.

49ers drive: More offensive futility. Just too much pressure, Joe Staley is just getting tooled. That might be the most surprising element of this game.

Seahawks drive: Ginn is out with a sprained knee. Seahawks forced to punt. Michael Robinson in the game and gets into it a little bit with Takeo Spikes. the Seahawks are smart to play a guy who wants prove something to the opponent.

49ers drive: Alex Smith gets some completions but eventually the team has to punt. Dominique Zeigler came in for Ted Ginn Jr, who looked like he injured his foot after an 18-yard completion.

Seattle drive cont: 49ers force a punt. The 49ers need three scores, that one score every five minutes. They'll start from their own 20.

Seattle drive: The 49ers get their first sack from Travis LaBoy, to bring up a third-and-13 when the fourth quarter begins.

49ers drive: Three and out again, a high pass by Smith on third down. Joe Staley is giving up a lot of pressure after having a tremendous preseason.

Seattle drive: The 49ers force a punt and they get pressure on Hasselbeck, hitting him twice.

49ers drive: Signs of life, but ultimately a punt. Smith had Ted Ginn Jr. open deep but threw it to the outside instead of the inside. Part of the problem with this game is the amount of pressure the Smith is getting and the lack of pressure the defense is applying to Hasselbeck.

49ers drive: OK now we find out right here if the 49ers will fold up and quit, or make some sort of come back.

Seattle drive cont: Caught TD Deon Branch, beat Spencer on a perfect back-shoulder pass.

Seattle drive cont: Michael Robinson just caught pass a rumbled inside the red zone. The 49ers look completely demoralized. I think they are shocked.

Seattle drive: The 49ers are playing stupid now. Goldson just got called for flattening the tight end when he didn't have to.

49ers drive: Three and out with a delay of game. On KNBR, Rod Books said the delay was caused by who else? Crabtree. He was on the wrong side of the formation and by the time he got to the right spot, time expired. But how to explain the intentional grounding on third down, there was no receiver on the left side of the field, which is where Smith threw the ball. He has missed his last five passes. This is getting messy

Comment: Can a wide receiver lose a game by himself? Michael Crabtree is trying. On radio, they are saying that Crabtree ran the wrong route that lead to the Trufant pick and score. Receivers coach Jerry Sullivan was all over Crabtree when he came to the sideline. Now, do you bench him?

49ers drive: Interception return for a score by Marcus Trufant.

The 49ers will get the ball first in the second half.

FIRST HALF ASSESSMENT: Where's the second team to bail out the 49ers like they did during the team's undefeated exhibition season? The 49ers have done exactly what they've been trying to avoid. Secondary breakdowns and an inability to get plays in on offense. The inability to correct these persistent problems has to fall back on coaching. On the TD pass to Butler, both Nate Clements and Tarell Brown jumped Butler, thinking it was a short route, Butler then released deep and scored easily. The same thing happened to Clements on a 35-yard reception down to the 49ers' 1. Crabtree hurt the team with two drops, his second leading to the Seahawks' second touchdown. Rachal has stinger and he went out in the first quarter and then again in the second quarter. His return is questionable.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | September 12 2010 at 04:10 PM

Rams Game

The Haka lives! Defensive lineman Isaac Sopoaga was spotted by a Fox television camera doing a subdued version of the warrior dance. Sopoaga said he stopped doing it before the game because it left him tired for the game, hence the toned-down Haka. By the way, running back Frank Gore will sit for the second straight game with his injured ankle.

On KNBR, Rod Brooks said the Edward Jones Dome is 7,000 fans shy of a sell out and he said there's plenty of red 49ers jerseys in the crowd. Brooks also said the theme for this game is "Get it up!" Also, Barry Sims will start for Adam Snyder at right tackle.

RAMS DRIVE

Wow, I didn't know how bad it had gotten in St. Louis. Commentators keep saying how quiet it is in the Dome. The Rams are way over the salary cap for next year, wide receiver Torry Holt said he wasn't sure if he wanted to come back next year, and the fans are booing players. The Rams first drive sputtered.

49ERS DRIVE

Bad start with a 3 and out. They tried to get ball to Isaac Bruce on 3rd-and-8 and he was double covered. The Rams have endured enough humiliation this year, they don't want more by having Bruce set milestones in their building. With six catches and 60 yards Bruce can move into second place all-time in receiving yards and catches.

RAMS DRIVE

No wonder the fans boo quarterback Marc Bulger. He's awful. There's no timing, the passes are off. Great tackle by the umpire on this drive which ended when the Rams went for it on 4th down with a pass to the end zone. The middle-aged ump decked running back Ken Darby with a reflex forearm shiver. It the Rams season could be boiled down to one play, that would be it.

49ERS DRIVE

The 49ers get a 48-yard, right-down-pike field goal from Joe Nedney to for the first score of the game. So far the game plan has been all about Isaac Bruce. Shaun Hill has thrown to him four times, completed one for 20 yards. When Bruce did make the catch, he got the "Bruuuce" call. Former 49ers 2008 draftee Larry Grant has made two nice plays on special teams. He plucked from the 49ers' practice squad and put on the Rams' active roster a few weeks ago. Bryant Johnson dropped a quick, blitz-busting slant that would have gone for a long gain. He dropped two slants last week.

RAMS DRIVE

Mike Singletary needs to get into these guys' grills. They've been infected by the Rams malaise. The hallmark effort of the nascent Singletary regime is missing. The 49ers are playing down to their competition. One the positive side, when was the last time anyone wrote that? The Rams are getting in position to score.

SECOND QUARTER

RAMS DRIVE CON'T

43-yard field goal by Josh Brown ties the game 3-3. WAKE UP! Smelling salts for the entire team! Spike the gatorade with Red Bull or the 49ers could be in trouble.

49ERS DRIVE

Vernon Davis took off for a 17-yard gain on a screen and then fumbled. All the way down the field, I was thinking, he could fumble. Will he ever do the little things in the receiving game to be a factor? Safety OJ Atogwe just took the ball right out his grasp.

RAMS DRIVE

Three and out by the Rams. Rookie Donnie Avery turned it up field before he had the ball and dropped the pass. I wonder if there are any "Honeymooner" reruns on. This game is going to be hard to watch.

49ERS DRIVE

Intercepted by Atogwe on a deep pass. It was a horrible pass, way underthrown. Hill just got an earful from Mike Martz on the sidelines. Davis was open but Hill just couldn't get it there. Where's Ed Norton?

RAMS DRIVE

Three and out. Zzzzzzzzzzzz.

49ers Drive

Sack fumble, 49er recover and then a punt. The 49ers can't stop the cornerback blitz. They got burned by it for three sacks last week in Miami, and twice the last time they faced the Rams. Andy Lee just punted into the end zone. What is it about the Rams that can bring out the worst in the 49ers. Even though they beat up the Rams in Candlestick 35-16, they were called for four straight penalties at one point and three straight false starts.

Rams Drive

Keenan Burton just caught a TD pass. Michael Lewis and Mark Roman were looking at each other while Burton made the catch. 10-3 Rams. Ouch.

49ers Drive

Another interception by Shaun Hill. He's been horrible. Two interceptions in the half, this time he air-mailed Isaac Bruce. The Rams now are driving for another score.

RAMS DRIVE

Field goal by the Rams and now they lead 13-3 at halftime.

FIRST HALF ANALYSIS

Shaun Hill followed the best first half of his life against the Rams at home in November with his worst half here. The defense isn't helping. Just like last time, they're running a lot of their "suger" defensive front where none of the front seven get down into a three-point and then they blitz. It isn't working and the 49ers don't need to do it in this game. With injuries on the Rams' offensive line, they might be better served just trying beat them with basic schemes. My prediction is Hill will respond in the second half. The Seahawks were down 10 at halftime last week and came back to beat the Rams. The 49ers are lucky they only trail by 10 after three turnovers.

Trou should be dropped in the locker room by somebody.

SECOND HALF

49ers Drive

Chris Meyers on Fox said Singletary didn't yell at his team at halftime. He apparently mentioned job security. It didn't make a difference, Shaun Hill nearly threw his third interception. Will Witherspoon dropped the pass - a three and out.

Rams Drive

Steven Jackson was putting his gloves on in the backfield on first down when a run was called. He had to drop one glove because he didn't have much time. He then didn't run very hard, which led to a three-and-out. Why does Allen Rossum always go to the sidelines on his returns? Does he not like getting hit?

49ers Drive

Three and out with two sacks and a missed pass to an open Isaac Bruce. Mike Singletary has to sit down with Mike Martz and mix in some runs. The pass-run distribution is getting very skewed and Hill is struggling. He needs help with the run game.

Rams Drive

The 49ers are blitzing often and they finally got home on third down. Takeo Spikes sacked Marc Bulger. The 49ers have been terrible blitzing this year, maybe that's why they don't do it that often.

49ers Drive

The 49ers got inside the Rams' 40 and then Shaun Hill threw an interception. They showed him after the pick and he had his hands in the air as if Michael Robinson ran the wrong route. On KNBR Gary Plummer said Mike Singletary has yelled at Hill twice and now I think he might have to sit. We'll see.

Rams Drive

St. Louis is driving and again the 49ers are getting beat by the blitz. They blitzed off the corner, which allowed Torry Holt to break open for a gain down to the 49ers 16.

FOURTH QUARTER

Rams Drive Cont

Michael Lewis, who has done a good Patrick Willis impression today, is down on the field. Lewis has missed practice lately with an abdominal strain.

Rams Drive Cont

49ers hold the Rams to a field goal, which will give them a chance. Steven Jackson has no speed at all, but he still got yards on the 49ers defense. Jackson has struggled with a thigh injury all year. It looks like Shaun Hill will stay in the game.

49ers Drive

What's the deal with returner Allen Rossum? I haven't seen a guy so eager to get out of bounds since Franco Harris. Three and out. There are so many things going wrong with the 49ers, is hard to categorize all of them. One is the inability to pick up blitz, another is a domination by the Rams of the interior line on offense and defense.

Rams Drive

Michael Lewis is back. He leads the 49ers in returning to the field after getting helped off. The 49ers are challenging a fumble by Steven Jackson and I don't think they'll win it. They lose. The 49ers do force a punt.

49ers Drive

Touchdown 49ers, Isaac Bruce. He gets his 1,000th catch. The 49ers now have a chance down 16-10 with 4:03.

Rams Drive

Three and out in a crucial situation and it's followed by a bad punt, the 49ers have plenty of time with 2:27 a timeout remaining and the 2-minute warning.

49ers Drive

Plummer was angered on radio after Hill took a sack on first down. He said the 49ers went with a three-man route with two deep routes and only one outlet underneath. It didn't leave Hill with many options and then he was sacked. The 49ers also couldn't get a play off before the 2-minute warning. The 49ers have really struggled in the last two minutes of the game today might be no different.

49ers Drive Cont

Bruce just caught a pass to make him the second-leading receiver in receiving yards next to Jerry Rice. Touchdown 49ers! Josh Morgan. Unbelievable. 48-yard TD. It makes you want to laugh with the four turnovers and an absurdly skewed time of possession. What a weird play, two receivers in the area and Morgan makes a great play. Is Mike Singletary destined to be coach of this team? The Rams though, have all their timeouts and a powerful leg in Josh Brown.

Rams Drive

Brown has seven career game-winners and has 54-yarder this year. The replays officials did the Rams a favor to stop the clock to review a play. A sack by Justin Smith the Missouri resident with the Bush beer symbol embossed on his deltoid. What a spectacular catch by Donnie Avery to keep the drive alive on 4th-and-9 on a ball that was tipped. The Rams will have it on their 45.

Terrell Brown just intercepted the ball. This game is over. The most bizarre game in several years for the 49ers. Hill in victory formation.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | December 21 2008 at 09:35 AM

SECOND HALF CARDS

THIRD QUARTER

The Cardinals are flowing down the field with a no-huddle, four-receiver offense and Warner has yet to throw an incompletion on the drive. The 49ers aren't blitzing and they aren't getting pressure. Nate Clements was called for personal foul after Larry Fitzgerald flopped with Clements touched him. The officials have to be better than that. That's a horrible call. The one aspect of the team that's not getting the Singletary style of play? The secondary. Clenmets got beat for a TD on fourth-and-1 from the 6. This group just isn't showing much grit and they have no confidence. I don't think the 49ers are going to win this game because there's too much of a disparity in pressure. The Cardinals are getting lots of it on Shaun Hill and Warner is getting a free pass to pass. Unless that changes, the 49ers are going to wear down. It's 21-20 49ers.

49ers put together a terrific drive with short drops and traps to Frank Gore against the Cardinals' constant blitz. Joe Nedney kicked a 41-yard field goal on 4th-and-inches. Singletary was yelling at the refs for a measurement and didn't get it. Mike Martz also yelled at Singletary, wanting to go for it on the 4th down. Bryant Johnson was also holding out his arms behind Singletary as the kicking unit came on. He obviously wanted to go for it. Singletary and Martz made up quickly. It was the right call. The 49ers are bad on short yardage and it could have been a big momentum change if they didn't get it. it's 24-20 49ers.

It must be nice to see the other coach making questionable calls. On third and long from the 40, the Cards went with draw for 5 yards and then they punted. Wow. The Cards are finding answers offensively by continuing to go with a shotgun, 4- and sometimes 5-receiver set. The 49ers did blitz five times during the last drive, but Warner continued to complete passes because the secondary was allowing too much cushion.

The 49ers are wearing down with the pressure. Adrian Wilson forced Shaun Hill to throw early and the ball was intercepted by Antrel Rolle who returned it for a TD. By Wilson was off-sides. Two plays later, Hill didn't get a clean handoff on a trap play, pulling guard David Baas knocked the ball out of his hands and the Cards recovered. Too much pressre and Hill doesn't have the capacity to lessen it by throwing deep. The Cards had ball at the 8 to start the 4th quarter.

FOURTH QUARTER

Justin Smith nearly single-handily held the Cards to a field goal with a tackle on Hightower on a screen and then getting pressure on Warner. It's 24-23 49ers. Toughness is keeping the 49ers in the game.

Gore dropped a pass on third down that would have gone for a first, but he didn't implode. He was smiling, which is a good sign because he can get down on himself. He also got a hug from Singletary.

Finally a play by Nate Clements, who knocked the ball away from Larry Fitzgerald on third down. Cardinals punt. These two teams seem so tired. It's like a heavy weight bout in the late rounds.

Hill throws a pick to Dansby, who goes to 49ers 5. Hill it looked like didn't see the dropping the linebacker.

Touchdown Cardinals. Five-yard pass to Boldin for the score, and the Cards miss the 2-point conversion, so it's 29-24. Mark Roman made a terrific knock down on the 2-pointer. Clements made a play earlier and now it's Roman. The second is finally starting to play.

The 49ers were driving after some strange calls on the references and Shaun Hill made a bad decision and threw a pick to Adrian Wilson. He was trying to flip to Frank Gore, who wasn't even looking for the pass. The 49ers are now in desperate straights. Even if the 49ers' lose, they played their best game all season.

The 49ers forced a punt on a great play by safety Michael Lewis who hit Hightower for a loss on third-and-short. The 49ers still have a chance. Rossum got them down to the Cardinals 42 with 66 seconds left.

49ers lose. The 49ers were down to the 2, and then Mike Martz tried to change personnel groups and that cost them several seconds while they tried to get a short-yardage group on the field. Why? They don't play well out of short yardage and they had to 20 seconds and four downs from the 2 to pass for the score even after the personnel mistake. Was Martz trying to prove a point? This was ridiculous and if Martz was the one making those calls, then he's on the hook. On the last play, 2 and half yards from the goal line, they go with a short yardage play to Michael Robinson? Unbelievable. Players did their job, play-calling lost the game for them. Wow. What a disappointment for 49ers' fans.

Posted By: Kevin Lynch (Email) | November 10 2008 at 07:25 PM