Season Finale

Even though I didn't think that this would be the ending to the 2014 NFL season for the 49ers, I am happy to say that I was proud of the way that the team played. With all of the turmoil of Jim Harbaugh going to the Browns at the beginning of the season, it was known that there would be tough obstacles to get past during the season and it would be a grind. But, I thought that the Niners had a very good season. They showed that they could play top notch defense with half of the time being backups, and could prevail out of games that they should have never won. But with all that said, there is still one game to go. This weeks matchup will face the 49ers team against the best defense in the NFL, Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals have always been a tough matchup for the San Francisco team. It seems that no matter the records of the teams, there is always going to be a hard fought game. Unlike the 49ers team, the Cardinals have been a consistent all around team this year. They come into the game with a 11-4 record that is tied for tops in the NFL. There defense has been impenetrable up front, even with star player, Darnell Dockett, out for the season with a lower body injury. This game had a lot of hype since the mid point of the year and I was excited to see it unfold.

Will Jim Harbaugh be done as the 49ers head coach?-Photo from www.bleacherreport.com. 

The game started with an 8 play 80 yard drive by the cardinals ending with a touchdown from Ryan Lindley to Michael Floyd, this being the first touchdown pass every thrown by Ryan Lindley. The 49ers came marching back with a deep 76 yard touchdown pass from Kaepernick to Boldin. The Cardinals scored a touchdown and a field goal, while the Niners scored two field goals to end the half with the Cardinals leading, 17-13. The second half was all about dominant defense. Both teams were held to 0 points late into the 3rd quarter, until Bruce Miller caught a touchdown pass from Kaepernick. The 4th quarter was the same, with 0 points being scored, and the Niners coming out on top to end their 4 game losing streak.

I thought that the Niners ended the year on a great note! They won the last game of the season, and were able to show the country that they could beat a tough playoff team, even with all of their depleting injuries. I personally, I am very excited to see what will happen this offseason. There is speculation that Jim Harbaugh is going to end his time in the Bay Area, and take the University of Michigan's head coaching offer for their football team. This would end up reuniting Harbaugh with his college, and give him the opportunity to become a legend at the university. But more importantly, Who will the 49ers get if he does leave for Michigan. Will they promote a current staff member to the coaching position, or search the league for a coach that is willing to fill in a big pair of shoes? I will continue to inform on the current situation the Red and Gold are dealing with. Go Niners!!!

Thanks for a great season!- Photo from www.sfgate.com

Thanksgiving Rematch

At this point, I believe that the Niners are playing for pride and have nothing to lose. Amidst the talk of Jim Harbaugh not coming back for the head coaching job next year, I believe that outcome is certain: he will leave for the University of Michigan's coaching offer. With that said, the Niners will try to win their last few games for him and gain momentum into next season. I understand some of you may think that there is still hope for the playoffs, but that is very unlikely. With how the Seahawks are playing right now, they would have to historically tumble in order for the 49ers to take their playoff spot. So, like I said, the Niners are playing for the coach that has taken them where only few others have, and for the idea that they will have a great team next year. The team that stood in front of them this week, were the lovely Seattle Seahawks, who I would say is the perfect team for the Niners to play right now. They are both wanting to smack each other, with the Seahawks having the opportunity to officially knock the 49ers out of playoff contention. So, I think that this game will be hard fought, with lots of after-the-play confrontations, and big hits.

Jim Harbaugh may be gone next year- Thanks to www.sfgate.com for the picture

This week in Seattle was the perfect setting for a rivalry game. The skies were blue and Century Link Field was loud(like always). This game was looked at as a rematch of the Thanksgiving game, with opportunities for both teams. The Seahawks could end playoff contention for the 49ers team, and the 49ers could gain self pride and momentum into next season. The game started off with a slow offenses and tough defenses. The Seahawks pulled out a nice drive to end the first quarter with a field goal, and a score of 3-0. The second quarter was enlightening to 49ers fans, after the offense of the red and gold drove 85 yards to get a much needed Frank Gore touchdown. The halftime score was 7-3, in favor of the 49ers. The second half was all Seattle. The 49ers offense was trifled in the second half and could not get anything going. The Seahawks scored two more times to end the game with a 17-7 victory, and officially ended the 49ers hopes of making it to the 2014-2015 NFL playoffs.

The Niners defense needs to pick it up next week- Thanks to www.rotoback.com for the picture

I would have to say that I was not all that let down with the game played by the 49ers. They went into Seattle, where it is almost impossible to win as an away team, and played a solid game. The game could have been won by the 49ers, if their offense could have put anything together. I think that The defense played well, holding Marshawn Lynch to a slow first half, and a decent second half. Plus, this game was pretty much a preseason game. The team showed how they could match up to a good team, with most of their defensive starters injured. Lets Just move onto next week, and finish off the last two games in style, with our heads held high. Lets go Niners!

Bitter Divisional Loss

On september 21, 2014, the San Francisco 49ers traveled to Phoenix, Arizona to play their division rivals, the Arizona Cardinals. The 49ers are coming off of a very tough home loss, which was also the debut for the team in Levi's Stadium. The 49ers played a very good first half with offensive tempo and great defense. But they let the victory slip away with an undisciplined second half. They had 10 penalties for 116 yards and had 4 total offensive turnovers. With this game being a divisional contest, it is a must win.

The Niners came out in the with lots of energy. They gave up a 47 yard drive that capped off with a field goal for the Cardinals first drive. They came back with a 12 play 80 yard drive that was ended with a Michael Crabtree touchdown catch. The 49ers scored another touchdown in the 2nd quarter and went to half time with a 14-6 lead, looking dominate over the division rivals. The only problem was, they hadn't scored a second half point the 1st two games of the year. They kept this streak going. The Niners allowed an opening drive touchdown on a 24 yard pass from Drew Stanton to John Brown to start the 2nd half, and went downhill from there. They allowed another touchdown late in the 3rd quarter on another pass from Drew Stanton to John Brown, and a field goal to put the game away.

John Brown 3rd quarter TD, courtesy of Heavy

Based on the first 3 games of the season, the 49ers have showed that they cannot finish their games on a positive note. They allow too many 2nd half offensive bursts and cannot seem to put anything special together of their side of the offense. They are known for their rushing game but have not had very explosive rushing games this season, even with the edition of rookie running back, Carlos Hyde. The team needs to come together and figure out what wrong so they can fix it and get on track again. This team is too disciplined and talented to be playing at the level that they are. They need to get going is they want to have a good year.

Frank Gore, courtesy of Sacramento Bee

Next week, the 49ers will be playing the Philadelphia Eagles, who have started off at a perfect 3-0 start to the season. The Eagles team has a very good passing game, which the 49ers have had a hard time stopping to begin the season. The 49ers are going to have to step up on both sides of the ball, if they want to get their first victory at their new home and get their season going. Lets go gold gang!

The Beginning of the Franchise

What comes to mind when you here about the San Francisco 49ers? There are lots that think they are the jokes of the National Football League. But I believe that they are the best team to ever play, in the most renowned sports league ever be founded. The 49ers have shown that everyone of their teams, can overcome heavy adversary, and succeed in many goals. To me, The San Francisco 49ers are the most successful sports franchise in the history of sports.

In the First week of the year, the 49ers were up to challenge the Dallas Cowboys in their new, AT&T Stadium. The niners played a very good first half, scoring 28 points and allowing 0. They played a conservative second half, allowing 17 points, while only scoring 0, but ended the game with an outstanding +4 turnover ratio. But most importantly, They came away with the win to start their season off on good terms. I thought that the team played very well, after loosing many key players on defense, including there defensive captain, Navarro Bowman. The team showed that they were able to play at a high level without key players, and could potentially be an elite team without their elite players.

Courtesy of Star Telegram

Based on what I saw in the first game, I thought that Colin Kaepernick excelled in the years first game. He ended the game completing 16/23 passes for 201 yards and 2 touchdowns. This game ensured 49er fans that he still is the same, playmaking, dual threat quarterback we have learned to love. I also thought that rookie, Carlos Hyde, played a very good game for the team. with his 7 carries for 51 yards and a touchdown, Hyde ensured fans that the 49ers will still have a high performance running back when Frank Gore leaves. I also believe that the offense needs to perform better in the second half. They showed lack of enthusiasm and it wanted to make me go out onto the field and score a touchdown for them. They layer down in the second half.

Carlos Hyde 3rd quarter run, courtesy of NFL Spin Zone

I predict that the 49ers will pull out a victory next week against the Chicago Bears. Based on the results of the week 1 victory of over the Cowboys, they showed that they still have their strong defense, while also transforming their offense into a more dominant one. They have showed in past years that they show up to important games, and are a disciplined team that knows how to win. I am looking forward to another game, and another win.