Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Week 3: Sloppy 49ers unable to solve Ponder's Vikings

After logging wins against the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions in the first two weeks, both of whom made the playoffs last season, the San Francisco 49ers were given their easiest task yet. So they thought. But the hosting 1-1 Minnesota Vikings would show no signs of intimidation facing one of the league's top teams and refused to be bullied in their own home. They would prove just that by going for it on a gutsy fourth-and-goal call to begin the game that paid off for Minnesota head coach Leslie Frazier. Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder executed Minnesota's opening-drive as well as anybody we've seen the 49ers face this year, capping the series off with a touchdown pass to his tight-end Kyle Rudolph and eating up over half the first quarter in doing so as the 49ers found themselves trailing for the first time this year, 7-0. 

Though the second quarter would treat the San Francisco offense much nicer than the first quarter did, quarter no. 2 wouldn't be very pretty either. 49ers QB Alex Smith and running back Frank Gore got things going on their second drive, as the two combined to get well within David Akers' territory, setting up the Pro-Bowl kicker for a 29-yard field goal to make it 7-3, Minnesota. But Christian Ponder would answer back by doing the unthinkable against the 49ers dominant run defense by scrambling up the middle for a 23-yard touchdown, channeling his inner Randal Cunningham and giving the Vikings a 14-3 cushion. With a chance to inch a bit closer nearing the two-minute warning, Alex Smith and company once again put the offense in position to tack on another three points, but this time David Akers' 43 yarder would be blocked, giving Minnesota a chance to increase their lead. A series of mainly short passes from Ponder would do just that, setting up Vikings kicker Blair Walsh who split the uprights from 52-yards out as Jim Harbaugh found his team down, 17-3 at the half. 
Having been downright outplayed in all three phases of the game in the first half, the 49ers would need both a solution on offense as well as an answer for Christian Ponder. And while they seemed to be on track by opening the second half with a 94-yard kick return from Kyle Williams resulting in another Akers field goal as well as a touchdown pass from Alex Smith to Vernon Davis after forcing a Minnesota three-and-out, it wouldn't be long before the 17-13 deficit would once again reach double-digits for the 49ers. Another 7-minute long drive orchestrated by Ponder ended much like the first with Ponder linking up in the end zone once again with his tight-end Rudolph who this time made a circus catch with one hand. With both the score (24-13) and the clock against them, the 49ers were in need of some magic if they planned on making a comeback. 49ers running back Frank Gore who hadn't fumbled since Week 5 of last year, would pick a terrible time to lose his first fumble of 2012, fumbling on San Francisco's first play of the drive. 

Gore's turnover ended a career-high streak of 255 consecutive carries without a fumble and seemed to have put the game away for good. But after each exchanging a pair of punts, Minnesota's second-string running back Toby Gerhart would fumble not once, but twice on back-to-back drives. But San Francisco would be unable to capitalize as they were courteous enough to give the ball right back on back-to-back turnovers of their own. Alex Smith who's been near perfect this season in the turnover department would be anything but during week 3 as the 49ers final two drives ended in an interception intended for WR Michael Crabtree and a fumble as Jared Allen greeted the quarterback with a sack, forcing another 49er fumble as San Francisco fell for the first time this year, 24-13. Ironically the 49ers first loss came on a day Alex Smith threw for more passing yards than the opposition as his 204 yards on 24-of-35 attempts bested Ponder's 198 yards on 21-of-35 pass attempts.
What was most puzzling regarding the loss was that Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was kept out of the end zone and held to under 100 rushing yards (86-yards on 25 carries) and yet the 49ers weren't able to come out on top. And while the 49ers looked unprepared for what they faced in Minnesota, the Vikings appear to be a better team than they've been portrayed to be and deserve all the credit in their upsetting win on Sunday. And though the loss is inexcusable for the 49ers, you can be sure that head coach Jim Harbaugh will take it as a wake-up call similar to the one they got from the early loss to Dallas last season and have his team alert and ready for battle come next Sunday. Hopefully his plan on offense will include more of Randy Moss who made his first trip to Minnesota as a member of the visiting team with only 27-yards and 3 receptions to show for. 

Week 4 Preview & Prediction: Week 4 will see the 49ers continue their current road trip as they get set to face a 2-1 New York Jets team that similar to theirs is best known for their defensive capabilities and run oriented offense. Luckily for Alex Smith and co., the 49ers offense will have one less problem to worry about as the Jets will be without the best cornerback in the game as it was learned that Darelle Revis will miss the remainder of the season due to a torn MCL in his left knee, dealing a huge blow to not only Rex Ryan's expensive D, but also his playoff hopes. The meeting at New York's MetLife Stadium in New Jersey will also mean that the 49ers will get to see their first glimpse of Tim Tebow. Having now taste defeat this season, I expect the tandem of Alex Smith and Frank Gore to have a much better outing on offense this week as well as a bounce back performance from the 49ers defense who should provide plenty of problems for the quarterback duo of Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow. With that said, look for the 49ers to return to the bay area 3-1 after a 24-17 win over Gang Green. 


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Thursday, September 20, 2012

Peyton Struggles in Road opener

Heading into the 2012-13 NFL season, the biggest storyline in all of football was how future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning would do in a Denver Broncos uniform following a series of neck surgeries that kept him sidelined the entire 2011-12 season. And while his impressive regular season debut in front of the Denver faithful would have critics raving, most of which were quick to declare the old Peyton Manning had returned, his week 2 performance would tell a different story. After lighting up the Pittsburgh Steelers in week 1 for 253 yards and 2 touchdowns on 19-of-26 passing attempts in route to a 31-19 win, Peyton would get off to a rocky start the following week in his Monday Night meeting at the Georgia Dome against Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons. 

Showing a lack of arm strength early on as well as making a number of questionable passes into double coverage, the guy wearing the no. 18 jersey almost looked like an impostor of one of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time as Peyton threw not one, not two, but three first quarter interceptions. Manning's early struggles marked only the second time in his 15-year career that he threw three interceptions in the opening quarter of a game, the only other occurrence came against the San Diego Chargers in 2007. After Manning's disastrous start, it seemed almost as if the guy playing QB in the second quarter was an entirely different person. Despite the 20-0 deficit his team faced, Peyton would redeem himself with a much better final three quarters as he brought his team within single-digits before eventually falling short and losing, 27-21 as the early miscues dug too big of a hole to overcome. 
An early favorite to win the AFC West and even contend for a Super Bowl according to most experts, Peyton Manning is far from his former self and is yet to prove that he can compete at the level that we've grown accustomed to seeing him play at. If I'm Broncos head coach John Fox I'm not too concerned about my quarterback as I know he still has some cobwebs to shake off and will only get better as the season progresses. But I'd still place Denver behind the Texans, Patriots and Ravens in the AFC, at least until Peyton has another full season under his belt with the Broncos and can prove that he can remain healthy. At 1-1, trailing only the 2-0 San Diego Chargers in the division, week 3 won't be a walk in the park for Peyton either as his Broncos get set to host the league's top ranked defense in the Houston Texans. 

Coincidentally, Peyton wasn't the only one in the Manning family who had a first half to forget during week 2 as his younger brother, Eli, also threw three picks on the day, all coming in the first half. But unlike Peyton who's late-game heroics fell just short, Eli was able to overcome his first half difficulties by throwing for 3 touchdowns and 510 yards in the second-best passing performance in Giants franchise history, avoiding a dreadful 0-2 start by defeating the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 41-34.


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Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Week 2: Harbaugh's 49ers shake Schwartz' Lions

Coming into week two's meeting between the San Francisco 49ers and the Detroit Lions, the storyline wasn't about the two 1-0 teams going against one another, but rather the coaches who stirred up quite the controversy the last time they met with what became known as "Handshake Gate." Both coaches made sure they got their handshake out of the way earlier this time around as they exchanged pregame pleasantries. But unlike their 2011 meeting which took place in Detroit exactly 11 months to the day, the 2012 rematch wouldn't be as close of a game as the final score indicated. 

For the second time in as many games, 49ers QB Alex Smith finished behind the opposition in total passing yards (226), but once again managed to play mistake-free football while throwing two touchdowns compared to Matt Stafford's one, a late 9-yard pass to tight-end Brandon Pettigrew with under 1:30 remaining. Stafford also threw an interception where as Smith completed 20 of his 31 throws and extended his streak of 216 passes without an interception, a franchise-record he holds over two of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of the game -- Steve Young & Joe Montana. Stafford nearly made history of his own if it wasn't for the stingy 49ers defense who put a leash on the Detroit QB, holding him to only 230 yards passing on 19-of-32 attempts and preventing him from becoming the first player in NFL history to throw for 350 yards or more in five straight games. 
Alex Smith threw a pair of touchdowns to tight-end Vernon Davis, including the first TD on the 49ers opening-drive to give San Francisco an early 7-0 lead. The Lions clawed back with back-to-back field goals  from kicker Jason Hanson to make it a one point game before running back Frank Gore scampered into the end zone from 1-yard out, capitalizing on a roughing the kicker penalty by Detroit on a David Akers field goal attempt. The mistake would prove to be costly as the Lions wouldn't get any closer on the scoreboard. Field goals exchanged by both Hanson and Akers would highlight the first four possessions of the second half until a bloody Alex Smith found Davis again who slammed on the breaks and tricked his man and the Lions secondary into running left when a herd of Detroit defenders appeared to have him trapped down the right sideline. A gash above the nose of Smith caused on a play the 49ers QB found ground on and ran for a first down before sliding and being hit in the head would cause blood to trickle down his face. But that didn't seem to mind him as the touchdown gave San Francisco a 27-12 lead. Stafford would answer with a touchdown pass of his own, but it would be too late as his team fell, 27-19 in the 49ers home opener.

With the win, San Francisco ran their home winning streak against the Lions to 12 games, including the 9th consecutive meeting. What would go unknown in the box score however, was the pair of clutch receptions wide-receiver Michael Crabtree made on two key third downs to keep not one, but two San Francisco scoring drives alive. His 6 receptions led the team and trailed only Vernon Davis (73) in receiving yards with 67. Frank Gore carried the ball 17 times for 89-yards and the 49ers D contained Detroit's prolific wide-out Calvin Johnson to 94-yards on 8 catches while keeping him out of the end zone. The 49ers came a game shy of tying the New England Patriots mark of seven consecutive games without a turnover when backup running back Kendall Hunter fumbled a kick return in the first quarter, ending a streak of 26 straight quarters without turning the ball over. The lost fumble was also the first of Hunter's career. 
Week 3 Preview & Prediction: Week 3 will see the 49ers hit the road once again to take on the 1-1 Minnesota Vikings who are coming off a 3-point loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Granted Minnesota's defense has allowed 32 touchdowns in their last 13 games through the air, Alex Smith may be in store for a heyday on offense. But the 49ers run defense who hasn't gave up much of anything through the first two weeks will face arguably their toughest match-up all season long in Adrian Peterson. Their last trip to the Metrodome didn't end too well as the 49ers fell victim to some late-game heroics by Brett Favre who found Sidney Rice in the end zone to steal the lead and game from San Francisco. Sunday's game will also feature the return of Randy Moss in Minnesota where he broke quite a few records during his prime. With emotions running high, I expect him and the 49ers to come out on top, 31-13. 


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Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Week 1: 49ers too much for Rodgers, Packers

With the San Francisco 49ers set to kickoff the 2012-13 NFL season in front of a national audience on FOX as part of America's Game of the Week, the team under second year head coach and the reigning Coach of the Year Jim Harbaugh would be tested right out of the gates and given the daunting task of having to face the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field where they haven't won since 1990. As if taking the field against an opponent who they've lost 8 consecutive games against wasn't tough enough, the 49ers would be facing last year's MVP in Aaron Rodgers. But even a date with the game's best quarterback would be an inviting challenge for a stingy 49ers defense which ranked tops in the league last season. And while there may be no such thing as stopping Aaron Rodgers, the 49ers were able to contain him. 

After winning the coin-toss and electing to receive, the 49ers appeared to have a long day ahead of them with Clay Matthews and the Packers D forcing San Francisco to punt on their first drive following a three-and-out. But that wouldn't stop them from getting on the board first as Alex Smith and co. marched down-field on their following drive, setting up David Akers for a 40-yard field goal to take an early 3-0 lead. The successful drive would spark a steak of five consecutive scoring drives for the 49ers offense. On their next possession, San Francisco would get some production from one of their biggest acquisitions during the off-season in Randy Moss. Taking snaps for the first time in over a year, Moss would be targeted by Alex Smith in the end-zone for a 14-yard Touchdown, capping off a 92-yard drive.

But being the player that he is, Rodgers would answer with an impressive drive of his own, marching the Packers down the field and highlighting an 80-yard drive with a 1-yard pass to his tight-end Jermichael Finley to make it a 10-7 ballgame. The rest of the half would be all about David Akers as the 49ers kicker stole the show by etching his name into the record books. Following a 43-yarder, Akers who set an NFL record just a season ago with 44 made field-goals, gave San Francisco a 16-7 lead at the half after splitting the uprights from 63-yards out with the help of the crossbar, tying Tom Dempsey, Jason Elam and Sebastian Janikowski for the longest field goal in NFL history. 
In need of a second-half jolt, the Packers would fail to find it on their first drive of the second-half as they were forced to punt following a three-and-out. The 49ers would then add to their lead as Alex Smith found his favorite target -- Vernon Davis in the end-zone from 4-yards out for another Touchdown. After exchanging a pair of punts, Green Bay would get something working in the special teams department as second year player Randall Cobb returned an Andy Lee punt 75-yards for a Touchdown. With an illegal block in the back by Green Bay during the return, the score looked like it was coming back, but the officials instead picked up the flag and said there were no penalties on the play. With the Packers getting away with one, the 49ers lead was bumped to 8-points as Rodgers and co. converted on a 2-point conversion. Getting the ball back after a San Francisco three-and-out, Rodgers failed to tie the game as Navarro Bowman came up with an interception on a pass intended for Gregg Jennings.

49ers running back Frank Gore would be sure to capitalize on Green Bay's mistake, rushing 23-yards into the end-zone on San Francisco's first play from scrimmage. Down 30-15, Rodgers would refuse to give up, answering with a touchdown of his own, connecting with wide-out James Jones on back-to-back plays before eventually linking up with him in the end-zone from 10-yards out to make it a one possession game. With one last chance to tie it up and potentially send the game into overtime, the game would come down to a final fourth and ten play with Rodgers taking a shot at the end-zone where his pass intended to Jordy Nelson was broken up by cornerback Chris Culliver, allowing Alex Smith to take a knee and milk the clock with the score 30-22. 

Despite allowing 324 yards in total offense including 303 coming through the air, San Francisco's defense for the most part kept Rodgers in check and prevented him from making the big plays when they needed to. And while Alex Smith threw nearly 100 yards fewer than Rodgers, he was able to match him with a pair of TD's and topped him in the turnover department, 0-1, playing mistake-free football. The run defense would be the difference in the game, however, as the 49ers allowed a measly 45 yards rushing on 14 carries compared to the 186 yards rushing Green Bay allowed on 32 carries. Frank Gore would lead the show with 112-yards and a TD. Giving up only 22-points, 7 of which coming off a punt return to a high octane offense such as Green Bay's proves that the 49ers can hang with the best regardless if they're on the road or at home. Winning the time of possession battle 33-minutes to 27-minutes, the 49ers snapped an 8-game losing streak to Green Bay.
Preview & Prediction: With Week 1 in the books, the potent 49ers defense will direct their attention to Matt Stafford and the Detroit Lions in Week 2 as Alex Smith and company look to take the field in front of their home crowd for the first time this season in a Sunday Night battle. Though the 49ers have won the last 8 consecutive meetings versus the Lions, the league's best wide receiver in Calvin Johnson a.k.a. Megatron will do everything possible to put an end to that streak. Unfortunately for them I see that streak reaching a ninth consecutive loss and have the 49ers winning, 27-14.  


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Monday, September 3, 2012

The Strasburg Situation

At last, winning baseball being played in the nation's capital. For much of the 2012 MLB season, the best overall record has been held by none other than the Washington Nationals. And while the team was expected to finish the season with a record above .500 this year for the first time since relocating from Montreal in 2005, the first place Nats who currently stand at 77-51 and own a 6 1/2 game lead in the division over the Atlanta Braves have not only reached expectations, but have surpassed them. Barring a late-season collapse, the Nationals are on pace to make their first post-season appearance since changing their name from the Expos seven seasons ago. And for those who think 2005 was forever ago, the playoff appearance would be the franchise's first since 1981, and only their second in franchise history (est. 1969).

To save you from doing the math, that's 42 years of baseball and only one trip to the post-season. Of coarse excluding the 1994 season which was cut short due to a players' strike. A season in which the then Montreal Expos boasted the best overall record (74-40) as well as a six game lead in the division before coming to a premature close. Since the lost season, the organization and their fan base has had little to cheer about other than the Presidents Race held during the middle of the fourth inning of every Nats home game. But a crop of young talent has finally gotten the ball club to where they've been waiting so patiently to be -- in the center of a pennant race. 
While the Nats offense has done its part thus far, it's been the pitching that has led the ball club to where they currently stand. And the guy that has paved the way is the 24-year old Stephen Strasburg. Having underwent Tommy John surgery in August of 2010, Strasburg would miss the remainder of the season as well as be kept on the shelf for much of the 2011 season before making a comeback in early September. Hoping to make a full recovery and return to the Nats rotation in full strength, Strasburg has looked every bit as the pitcher he was before his injury, posting a 15-6 record and an ERA of 2.94 while striking-out a National League best 195 batters. But that didn't prevent the Nationals front-office from monitoring their darling pitcher with an innings limit.

Though it's been talked about since the beginning of the season, the rumor of shutting down Strasburg's 2012 campaign before the season had ended was confirmed by manager Davey Johnson who also announced that the September 12 meeting against the Mets at New York's Citi Field would be the last start of the season for the first overall pick of the 2009 MLB Draft. With 156 1/3 innings pitched this season, Strasburg is nearing the 160-180 innings Nats general manager Mike Rizzo had targeted for his young right-hander in hopes of preventing long-term damage to what was being called the most hyped prospect in Major League history. Such a move could determine Washington's fate and how their season beyond the regular season plays out. Not to mention it could jeopardize the franchise's chances at making its first World Series appearance. But to Johnson and Rizzo, the picture is much bigger than that as they feel that this is first of many seasons in which the Nationals will be contending for a title.
That's not to say the Nationals pitching rotation which also consists of studs Jordan Zimmerman and Gio Gonzalez isn't capable of holding their own without Strasburg. After all, Washington was able to boast the best record in the Bigs without some of their best talent as Michael Morse, Drew Storen and Wilson Ramos have all been bitten by the injury bug. But with the postseason being unfamiliar territory to this young Nats squad, every bit of firepower will be needed if they plan to bring home the hardware. With a month of baseball remaining before the end of the regular season, the Nats have already matched their win total of 2005 with 81 wins, the most for the ball club since moving to the nation's capital. So regardless if the Nationals win it all this year, they've already exceeded our expectations and have proven that good things come to those who wait. And until Stephen Strasbugh returns to the mound without an innings limit, the Washington faithful will have to wait another year until they can celebrate as World Series Champions.


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