Playing For Pride

At this point in the season, I am just waiting for the last games to be played. I understand that the season is still going, but the Niners playoff hopes are over, and I want to see all of the offseason drama. I think that this weeks game against the Chargers will be fun to watch for everyone and will end up to be a good game. But most importantly, I am not going to have to cry over a Niners loss for another season. I would say that that is a big positive. Plus, I will be able to focus on all of the other teams for the offseason. I will be writing more about coach vacancies and news that is going around the league as a whole. So finally, lets get to the game.

This weeks game against the Chargers is the "Battle of the Golden Coast" for the two teams.  This rivalry has been alive since the two teams came into the league. In the past, the Niners have won more games than the Chargers in the game. But this year, San Diego was looking to demolish their bitter rivals. The 49ers had the opportunity to knock the Chargers out of the AFC playoffs with a win and would spoil another season for star quarterback, Phillip Rivers. The game started out great for the 49ers, with a 52 yard touchdown run for Frank Gore, to cap off a 4 play 78 yard drive to start the first quarter. The run gave the team momentum to get up to a 21-0 lead over the chargers halfway through the second quarter. The Chargers scored a late touchdown to end the half with a 28-7 49ers lead. The 49ers team looked like playoff contenders in the first half and you could feel that they wanted to end the Chargers season. But, the Bolts came back to get the win, after outscoring the 49ers, 31-7, in the second half alone to win the game 38-35.

Frank Gore ripped off an incredible 52 yard run- Photo from www.cincyjungle.com

I thought that this game really summed up the season for the 49ers. The team had great energy to start the game, and would die down in the second half. I mean, they didn't score a second half touchdown until week 4 in the season. This showed that they did not have good game preparation and game plans for when they would get down. Next game and more importantly, next year, the team will have to get more disciplined in the second half of games so that they can win the tight games that will determine if they do or do not make the playoffs. Next week, the niners will conclude their season with a game against the division leading, Arizona Cardinals. The two teams matched up in the third week of the season, ending in a thumping victory for the Cardinals. This years Cardinals team is tough-nosed and enjoys kicking their opponents ass. I think that the niners will end the season in a strong way, with a win against one of the leagues best teams.

Photo from www.pbs.com