Niners Lose but Look Better

The 49ers lost a big game today if you looked at the score. You would think that I would be as upset as last week but I am not. The score did not reflect what really went on in the game so we’ll put that aside right now. Today’s performance was actually just a glimpse into what this team can be and will be in the games to come.

Pittsburgh is a great team both on offence and on defence. They had a couple of bad years because Big Ben decided that he was going to do foolish things like ride a motorcycle without a helmet and plant his head into a windshield. He is back and this team more or less has the same players since that last superbowl win. This is a very good defence and the fact that we were able to keep the score at 20 – 9 was still impressive. One touchdown was a fluke punt return for a touchdown or it would have been 13 – 9. Hands down to the Steelers, when we brought the blitz or the pass rush Big Ben was somehow able to escape and created plays for 3rd down conversion and the Steelers running game was unstoppable. That is what great teams do!

Enough about the Steelers, it seemed as if Coach Nolan and the Offensive Coordinators actually listened to the fans and implemented everything we brought up from last game and I like what I saw. Immediately they got Vernon Davis involved where he had a 13 yard gain on a quick screen pass. He is so dangerous in the open field with his speed and strength keep using him! Alex Smith rolled right rolled then left as the pass rush came up the middle. They kept this defence off balance and confused. They took the long bombs down field but of course they continued to run with Frank Gore but he got few yards today. Later in the game Battle and Jackson finally got involved. Lelie needed to step it up if he wants to stay in that number 3 spot. All in all I liked what I saw. The creative plays to try to get receivers open and today Alex Smith played a solid game with the exception of the interception toward the end there for a touchdown. I like the hurry up offence even though it failed just some good things to come. Next week the pressure will be on the receivers to help Alex Smith catch some passes. The Niners defence played well despite the time they had on the field. Clements was worth every penny as he is simply all over the field in coverage to playing linebacker on a botched throwing play. Walt Harris and Shante Spencer have both stepped up and Patrick Willis continues to impress. The Defensive line needs to get to the quarterback and make solid tackles instead of jersey grabs. Bring him DOWN!

The good news is that the Niners showed signs of greatness against a very solid Pittsburgh team. They still lead their division 2 – 0 with the Rams losing and Seattle and Arizona both 1 – 1 in the division. Next week we have Seattle and I take us to win that game. Go Niners continue to improve we are cheering for ya!

Photo courtesy of the Mercury News