Open Thread - Week 17 49ers @ Denver

by David Fucillo on Dec 31, 2006 12:54 PM PST in San Francisco 49ers News

And so we reach the finale of our season. The various season reviews I'll put together will contain plenty more information, but suffice it to say, this was quite an interesting season. We saw Frank Gore prominently thrust himself onto center stage in the NFL. We saw Alex Smith take some sizable steps forward. We saw Larry Allen continue his Hall of Fame career. And most importantly in my mind, we got to experience the ups and downs of a playoff push. The push fell short, but it has been a fun season nonetheless.

And so we reach Week 17:

SB Nation Cross Blog: Mile High Report

Gametime: 1:15pm Pacific, 4:15pm Eastern
Weather: High: 34°F; Precipitation: 0%

Best Case Scenario
49ers 23 - Denver 20: This was my prediction over at the Mile High Report and needless to say, I think this is the most optimistic I can get. The team is decimated by injuries and will need a whale of a game from Frank Gore to stay in this and potentially pull the upset. If this is too happen the 49ers will need to get a pass rush going against Jay Cutler and force the rookie to make mistakes.

Worst Case Scenario
Denver 45 - 49ers 6: If the 49ers come out flat in a "meaningless" game, the Broncos could roll over them. In this scenario the Bell's run like crazy, Cutler lights up the 49ers and our offense is just too flat and one-dimensional

Prediction
49ers 23 - Denver 20 - This is the last game of the season and we can end the Broncos season with a win thanks to KC and Cincinnati winning. So I saw we be optimistic and go for that win. It'll hurt our draft position but it'll do wonders for heading into next year in my opinion. You can only play for the draft for so many years!

And here's hoping we roll out the throwbacks and make them permanent soon!

***EDITOR'S NOTE***Pittsburgh beat Cincinnati in overtime with a 67-yard Roethlisberger TD pass to Santonio Holmes and Kansas city edged out Jacksonville 35-30. A Denver win and they're win, a Denver loss and KC is in.

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Comments

not so sure

about that prediction. I think it's more like 31-17 or 24-13 in their favor.

but we can hope!

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Dec 31, 2006 1:04 PM PST reply actions

Prediction

Oh I agree. I just figured what the hell, let's go with some serious optimism. If we could end Shanahan's season it would be good times.

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by David Fucillo on Dec 31, 2006 1:14 PM PST reply actions

aw man

we got those crappy new uniforms on

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Dec 31, 2006 1:15 PM PST reply actions

fox

already screwing things up

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Dec 31, 2006 1:16 PM PST reply actions

ok

good stop. way to hold on the first drive

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Dec 31, 2006 1:20 PM PST reply actions

Maurice Hicks

Hasn't he done one hell of a job on special teams the last few weeks? Nice tackle just now and a couple great returns last week. I really like his all-around contributions.

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by David Fucillo on Dec 31, 2006 1:24 PM PST reply actions

absolutely

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Dec 31, 2006 1:32 PM PST up reply actions

nice idea

to run an end-around with VD. Too bad they had it sniffed out all the way

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Dec 31, 2006 1:31 PM PST reply actions

we'll do our best

this one's for Herm "you play to win the game" Edwards

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Dec 31, 2006 1:32 PM PST reply actions

why the hell not

that was pretty ugly though

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Dec 31, 2006 1:33 PM PST reply actions

goodness

get it together guys

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Dec 31, 2006 1:39 PM PST reply actions

Sloppy-ness

I'm tending to agree with Moose in regards to the team figuring it's the end of the year and what the heck. I'd certainly like to see some smarter football. Have a little pride.

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by David Fucillo on Dec 31, 2006 1:42 PM PST reply actions

yeah!!

nice stop

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Dec 31, 2006 1:43 PM PST reply actions

There we go!

That's how you step up and stop the run. That's some really nice defense.

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by David Fucillo on Dec 31, 2006 1:43 PM PST reply actions

Arrowheadpride.com

So I wandered over and offered support for the Chiefs on their game day thread. They've got a few folks keeping an eye on our game considering the significance.

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by David Fucillo on Dec 31, 2006 1:47 PM PST reply actions

Pass Rush

Well this pass rush is certainly a breath of fresh air...They've gotten more pressure today than most of this season combined. Now if they could avoid all these stupid penalties

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by David Fucillo on Dec 31, 2006 2:02 PM PST reply actions

yes

but all these penalties are unreal. and once again I'm questioning if our offense exists.

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Dec 31, 2006 2:14 PM PST up reply actions

INT

Well the defense is running the bend but don't break style of defense. Good field position, maybe they can make something happen. Need to get Vernon Davis involved.

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by David Fucillo on Dec 31, 2006 2:17 PM PST reply actions

O-Line hurtin

Wow the offensive line is struggling for the second straight week. The injuries are just killing them.

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by David Fucillo on Dec 31, 2006 2:20 PM PST reply actions

I am so sick of this

why why why why why do we continue to throw passes 2 yards short of the first down?!?!?

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Dec 31, 2006 2:37 PM PST reply actions

Impact Player

We seriously need an impact receiver on offense. Vernon Davis could become that guy, but in the meantime we need someone else. Does anybody else think not having Antonio Bryant is really having that big an effect, or would they be struggling even with him?

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by David Fucillo on Dec 31, 2006 2:41 PM PST reply actions

eh

I don't think Bryant would be making much of a difference.

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Dec 31, 2006 3:13 PM PST up reply actions

Bryant

hasn't done a whole lot across the middle of the field all year. His catches seem to be all or none, which is still a bit of a hindrance on consistent conversions.

I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down... over and over...

by howtheyscored on Jan 1, 2007 1:41 AM PST up reply actions

Timeouts

Man the timeout usage is KILLING ME!!!

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by David Fucillo on Dec 31, 2006 2:41 PM PST reply actions

TD BY THE FB BABY!

Rumblin, Stumblin TD!!!!! Whatever it takes!

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by David Fucillo on Dec 31, 2006 3:13 PM PST reply actions

good call

Norv finally comes through

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Dec 31, 2006 3:13 PM PST up reply actions

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

OH BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TD WALT HARRIS...THAT is what I'm talking about!

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by David Fucillo on Dec 31, 2006 3:21 PM PST reply actions

YES!!

by noodler29 on Dec 31, 2006 3:21 PM PST reply actions

waaaaaaaaalt

that was G

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Dec 31, 2006 3:21 PM PST reply actions

QB Pressure

It seems like they're trying to mix in extra blitzers...Cutler's beaten them at times, but the pressure is enough to keep them from blowing this game open with big plays.

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by David Fucillo on Dec 31, 2006 3:33 PM PST reply actions

Goal line stands

I'm very impressed with the goal line stands. Personally, I think that's a sign of a defense playing with some pride.

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by David Fucillo on Dec 31, 2006 3:36 PM PST reply actions

that was bizarre

but I'll take it!

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Dec 31, 2006 3:57 PM PST reply actions

TURNOVER BABY

I'll give Nolan credit, that was a great call challenging the play. With Gore pounding the interior line of the Broncos, it's time to put this away!

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by David Fucillo on Dec 31, 2006 3:57 PM PST reply actions

MAN

This is giving me a headache!

by noodler29 on Dec 31, 2006 4:02 PM PST reply actions

uhhhhmmm

WHAT!?!?!

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Dec 31, 2006 4:04 PM PST up reply actions

All this back and forth

Not that I mind, since all the challeges are coming out in our favor!

by noodler29 on Dec 31, 2006 4:06 PM PST up reply actions

Craziness

This has been one crazy game. If we were fighting for a playoff spot I'd be dead of a heart attack. However, since we're just playing to knock out the Broncos this is actually a lot of fun.

Not sure if anyone else is, but I've been posting over at Arrowhead Pride and it's been pretty crazy over there. if we pull this out, I might have to throw the weight of Niners Nation behind the Chiefs for the playoffs! Just temporary but why the heck not.

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by David Fucillo on Dec 31, 2006 4:05 PM PST reply actions

that call made NO sense

he had clear possession and had made a "football move", then his knee was down, all before the ball came out. how the hell can they call that incomplete?

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Dec 31, 2006 4:06 PM PST reply actions

re: that call made NO sense

because like all sports officials, he is legally blind and his head is located up his ass.

Bring back Eddie D.

by nostocksjustbonds on Dec 31, 2006 4:38 PM PST up reply actions

Well

The niners got a bizarre challenge turned their way not a minute or so earlier. The catch and down here is pretty clear from the replay, but the ref made this idiotic call to save face on the last one. He couldn't reasonably call it a fumble based on the replay, so he went with his next best option that would still throw the Broncos a bone.

That's exactly what happened the way I see it. I took special note of the very nervous way that he called it when he went back on the field, like he knew he was doing something wrong.

I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down... over and over...

by howtheyscored on Jan 1, 2007 1:45 AM PST up reply actions

Nedney so money!

There we go...We'll see what the rookie QB can do for Denver but that was a huge penalty even though Nedney easily had the distance.

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by David Fucillo on Dec 31, 2006 4:18 PM PST reply actions

All I want for New Year's...

Is one last defensive stand. They've held the Broncos to field goals every time they've gotten into the red zone. Let's put this one away right here.

LET'S GO NINERS!!!!!

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by David Fucillo on Dec 31, 2006 4:27 PM PST reply actions

we have no business winning or losing this game

Bring back Eddie D.

by nostocksjustbonds on Dec 31, 2006 4:39 PM PST reply actions

#1 rule in OT

lose the toss, lose the game

Bring back Eddie D.

by nostocksjustbonds on Dec 31, 2006 4:41 PM PST reply actions

Re: Coin Toss

Although did you see that 5 teams that won the toss won the game and there have been 10 overtime games? That's half the time....

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by David Fucillo on Dec 31, 2006 4:43 PM PST up reply actions

it's a general rule

Rule #2 is lose the toss win the game.

Bring back Eddie D.

by nostocksjustbonds on Dec 31, 2006 4:45 PM PST up reply actions

OT Rules

Good call on those rules

Rule #3: If rule 1 doesn't apply, see rule 2

Rule #4: If rule 2 doesn't apply, see rule 1

Definitely cover your butt with those rules

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by David Fucillo on Dec 31, 2006 4:46 PM PST up reply actions

Hmmm

Those rules are like my pants.

I keep reliving the moment when Steve Young almost fell down... over and over...

by howtheyscored on Jan 1, 2007 1:46 AM PST up reply actions

okay, broke free....and now

to sports... wow, OT, lucky me and us, so far...

by alaska A on Dec 31, 2006 4:43 PM PST reply actions

Surprisingly fun game

It's been an ugly and bizarre game at times, but the second half and now OT has been pretty fun to watch. Win or lose this team definitely didn't give up this week.

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by David Fucillo on Dec 31, 2006 4:45 PM PST reply actions

Michael Robinson

Quietly putting together a nice little game. A couple big catches to make conversions. Good point made about him being a great 3rd down package guy.

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by David Fucillo on Dec 31, 2006 4:47 PM PST reply actions

Good field position

Just let Gore run it down their throats for 25 or 30 yards and win this thing!

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by David Fucillo on Dec 31, 2006 4:57 PM PST reply actions

Reverses

Norv Turner loves mixing in those reverses...getting close!

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by David Fucillo on Dec 31, 2006 4:58 PM PST reply actions

YES!!!

Bring back Eddie D.

by nostocksjustbonds on Dec 31, 2006 5:03 PM PST reply actions

niners win!!

good season. let's get the playoffs next year

Bring back the classic Uni's!

by wjackalope on Dec 31, 2006 5:03 PM PST reply actions

49ers Knock Denver out IN DENVER

absolutely amazing. I just can't figure this team out. Where was this type of game against Arizona and Green Bay?

Bring back Eddie D.

by nostocksjustbonds on Dec 31, 2006 5:04 PM PST reply actions

Next Season

because of the parody...er...parity schedule, the 49ers will have a tougher schedule next year.

Bring back Eddie D.

by nostocksjustbonds on Dec 31, 2006 5:05 PM PST reply actions

That was fun

That was just a fun game. I agree with the broadcasters in that 7-9 is so much better than 6-10. The playoffs would have been awesome, but I'll take the improvement shown leading to next year.

More thoughts in the recap coming tonight or tomorrow, depending on when I get back tonight.

GO NINERS AND WELCOME IN THE NEW YEAR AND A NEW ERA OF 49ERS FOOTBALL!!!

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by David Fucillo on Dec 31, 2006 5:06 PM PST reply actions

Gore

If my math is correct (which it frequently isn't) he leads the NFC in rushing with 1,695 yards at about 5.4 per carry and nearly 106 per game, which is just phenomenal and great for him.

He also had 61 catches for nearly 500 yards for over 2,000 total yards from scrimage.

Also, since fumbling in each of the first 4 games, he's only fumbled 2x since then and lost just one (in the first Seattle game in which he ran for 212). It looks like that problem is a thing of the past.

The call to trade Barlow and go with Gore was a great one. Gore runs with such intensity and is just so much fun to watch. I hope he stays healthy and I look forward to watching him run for years to come.

Bring back Eddie D.

by nostocksjustbonds on Dec 31, 2006 5:34 PM PST reply actions