Seeking their first six game winning streak since the 1997 season, the 6-1 49ers payed a visit to our nation's capital to face the 3-4 Washington Redskins in hopes of improving their undefeated mark away from Candlestick Park to 4-0. After a back and forth first quarter highlighted by three and outs, sacks and a John Beck interception, San Francisco's David Akers would begin what ended up being a busy day for the Pro-Bowl kicker who connected for the first of four field goals on the day to give the 49ers a 3-0 lead following the pick. Though neither team would showcase much offense in the first half, the Redskins knack for fumbling the ball wouldn't help their case.
After another David Akers field goal, the Skins would give the ball right back as backup running back Roy Helu was met by Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Willis who forced a fumble that would be recovered by the San Francisco D. The miscue would prove to be costly for Washington as Alex Smith capitalized on the turnover with a play-action pass finding his rookie fullback Bruce Miller wide open along the sideline for a 30 yard touchdown to put the 49ers on top, 13-0. After watching his team get shutout for the first time in his ?-year coaching career the week before against the Bills, Redskins kicker Gharam Gano made sure it wouldn't happen in back-to-back weeks as he set a franchise record with a 59 yard field goal to put his team on the board, trailing 13-3 at the half.
With little offense to show for in the first half, the second half would feature even less offense. Other than a pair of David Akers field goals which made it a 16-point game, the 49ers were kept in check on offense for the most part. With the clock dwindling down passed the two minute warning, John Beck and company would finally gather together a decent drive. On what appeared to be a rather lethargic drive on defense by the 49ers, Beck capped it off by reaching the end zone relatively easy connecting with an uncovered Jabar Gaffney 9 yards out for a touchdown. Washington would successfully convert on a two-point conversion to make it a one possession game. The clock, however, would prove to be a factor as coach Shanahan was forced to attempt an on-side kick with just over a minute remaining. Washington would fail to recover the ball and all Alex Smith needed to do was take a knee to give his team the victory.
The 19-11 final score made for another sloppy win for the 49ers, but a win nonetheless as Jm Harbaugh's team improved to 7-1 on the year, their best start since 1997. Though he didn't awe us with his numbers, Alex Smith managed to compile 200 yards through the air and a touchdown while playing mistake-free football. As for the running game, unlike in weeks passed Frank Gore didn't dominate like we've grown accustomed to seeing, but he did manage another 100 yard game, becoming the first 49er in franchise history to amass five consecutive games of 100 yards rushing.
Week 10 Preview With the Washington Redskins posing little threat against what's become one of the best defenses in the league, the 49ers will have their work cut out for them in Week 10 as they get set to host a red-hot New York Giants team coming off a last minute victory against the New England Patriots. With running back Ahmad Bradshaw expected to miss the game due to injury, the Giants will look to attack through the air led by first-half MVP candidate Eli Manning.Prediction: 49ers win a close one at home in a back and forth melee, 24-20.
The Buddy System - With Donovan McNabb now in Washington, could we be in store for a T.O. - McNabb reunion? According to sources, the Redskins and their new quarterback have begun to consider signing veteran wide-receiver Terrell Owens, who teams have shown little interest in this offseason and is still a free-agent seeking a place to play. After a shaky relationship between both players who were often seen feuding on a daily basis in the city of Brotherly Love from 2004-2005, McNabb has begun encouraging his new organization to consider signing the 6-time Pro Bowler. And with a new team who lacks the talent in the wide-receiver department that McNabb had in Philly, T.O. to the nation's capital sounds like a perfect nesting ground.According to Owen's agent, the discussion of once again playing alongside one another began when the two were on set to film an episode of Spike TV's 'Pro's vs. Joe's'. An episode that brought back memories of the two, as McNabb was seen connecting to Owens in the end-zone just like old times. But with a new coach and sheriff in town, would Mike Shannahan be able to handle a relationship like the one McNabb and Owens have, in only his first year in Washington? Owens' agent also said, "The two are buddies again." But how long will that last, before they begin bumping heads if the they end up playing for the same team again? Thanks to T.O.'s offseason arrival to Philadelphia in 2004, McNabb had his best season statistically as he went on to become the first quarterback in league history to throw for over 30 touchdowns and less than 10 interceptions in a single season. The Eagles went on to the Superbowl for the first time since 1980, where they lost to the New England Patriots 24-21.Although the idea of reuniting Owens and McNabb remains a rumor, could it be best for the team? In most cases I would say no, but given the two have recent history and have shown they can be a deadly duo in the passing game, I say yes. There's no doubt T.O. is a cancer to the team wherever he goes, but given McNabb's been through it all before, it's nothing he can't handle. Besides, the Redskins current receiving corps highlighted by Santonio Moss isn't expected to do the job alone, so I say take a shot at acquiring T.O. regardless of the troubles he brings to the sidelines and into the locker room. And it's not like he'll be asking for much, granted no other team has dished him an offer to this point.
Andy Reid & Donovan McNabb divorce - Just last week when it was announced that the Oakland Raiders emerged as the leading candidate to land Eagles QB Donovan McNabb, we thought the possibility of the 6-time Pro Bowler joining the Raider Nation was almost set in stone. Instead, a sleeper team that was hardly mentioned in acquiring McNabb if ever, ends up landing him. Although Donovan McNabb has been rumored to trades for years now, no one ever thought they would see the day their quarterback of 11-years was traded... At least I didn't. But as surprising as the actual move was, I think the destination was the most surprising. The dark horse in landing McNabb just so happened to be the Washington Redskins.With an offensive mastermind like Mike Shanahan now under the throne in the nation's capital, I think it made McNabb's decision a little bit more comfortable to take in where he'll be playing in 2010. If last year's 'Skins coach Jim Zorn was still with the team, I'm not too sure a deal would've been done and if so, I'm not quite sure how McNabb would have felt. With McNabb moving to another team within the NFC East, he will face his former team not once, but twice a year. With the 4th overall pick in this year's draft and a QB on their mind prior to McNabb's signing, it'll be interesting to see whether or not they still target a QB, with only a year left on McNabb's contract. But I'm guessing an extension will soon be on the table. Coincidentally both Sam Bradford and Colt McCoy had long scheduled visits with the team today, hours before McNabb was introduced to his new team for the first time.It might not be the Minnesota Vikings, the team McNabb preferred to be dealt for, but it sure beast the Black Hole that is the Oakland Raiders in my opinion. As for the guy who's spot McNabb will be replacing, last year's starting QB Jason Campbell might as well consider himself trade bait. The poor guy has been the team's starter for the past two seasons and didn't even know his job was soon to be taken over by Mr. McNabb before being informed by a Washington Examiner who reached home hours later over the telephone. However, Donovan made sure to also contact Campbell himself and let him know that those weren't his intentions. Campbell understood as he now begins to play the waiting game. So far of all 30 NFL teams, 5 have shown interest in the 28-year old Auburn alum. The Buffalo Bills, Oakland Raiders, Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars and an "unknown team". All of which will be soon to make offers.If you ask me, I say both McNabb and Campbell were mistreated in this whole ordeal. And I'm not the only one who thinks so. Both Eli Manning and Hall of Fame QB Warren Moon agreed and were shocked and said, "The Eagles aren't showing him the type of respect he deserves." Donovan himself is also aboard the same ship whether he expresses it or not. After expressing that he wanted to play in Philly for the remainder of his career, one can only wonder how he feels after spending over a decade with the same team. His response to being asked for his take on Philadelphia's youth movement says it all. “They're rebuilding, and they're going young,” McNabb said. “So I never knew 33 years old was old, but I guess I'm too old.” Donovan also expects the Philly fans to embrace and cheer for him when the two teams meet at Lincoln Financial Field next season.In my last post Could Don be Gone?, I asked the question if this could be the last of the McNabb era in Philly. And well, now the answer is yes. So get rid of your McNabb jersey's and prepare for the beginning of a new era, the Kolb era.
