49ers 27 - Redskins 24: Well, that's certainly a wild finish to the season

by David Fucillo on Dec 28, 2008 4:17 PM PST in San Francisco 49ers News

After a first half that seemed intent on repeating last week's Rams game, the 49ers bounced back in the second half for one heck of a final win. It seemed like we were headed into overtime after the Jason Campbell touchdown. However, Shaun Hill put together a second straight week of 4th quarter magic and the 49ers pulled out a tight victory over the Washington Redskins 27-24.

The 49ers reach 7-9 for the second time in three years, finishing the season 4-1. There will be plenty to ponder going forward, but for now, things aren't quite so bad in 49ersland. I certainly don't want to give myself a false sense of optimism, but I think cautious optimism is not totally uncalled for right now.

There is plenty of time in the coming months to discuss the potential for 2009, but for now, let's just enjoy a relatively strong finish to the season. Mike Nolan usually had strong finishes, but he never went 4-1 in any stretch as head coach. Maybe Mike Singletary works out as a head coach, maybe he doesn't. For now though, I'd like to think he could be the right man for the job going forward.

I'll have plenty more a little later this afternoon, but for now, consider this a quasi-celebratory thread. Throw in the Cowboys absolutely embarrasing themselves in a must-win situation and things are good. The only way to cap this? As much as I don't like the Broncos, I'd love to see the fighting Norv Turners blow it tonight.

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The 49ers

looked very, very good after the 2nd half, and have looked much better under the direction of Singletary. I really do feel like this team is an offseason under Coach Sing away from being a solid .500 team, and maybe the division champions.

J. Hill and Morgan certainly made their cases today, with 78 yards and a touchdown between them. S. Hill seemed pretty intent on spreading the ball around, and that makes the play of the young blood that much more impressive.

by Cruithear on Dec 28, 2008 4:26 PM PST reply actions

They’ll be the favorites to win the division next year. The Seahawks and Rams are in transition and not very good. The Cardinals might be too regarding the QB position, if not next year then probably the year after. Unless the Cards can improve their running game and defense next year I have little doubt that the Niners will overtake them.

by GeoMak on Dec 29, 2008 6:12 PM PST up reply actions

I had a bad day...

From what my television keeps telling me.

by drummer on Dec 28, 2008 4:26 PM PST reply actions

Remember...

Whatever is said by your tv is true. Really Ron Pitts dictates the direction of my life.

Niners Nation - The premier 49ers blog on the Internet!

by David Fucillo on Dec 28, 2008 4:27 PM PST up reply actions

Sean Hannity FTW!!!...

I dunno who sings that “Had a bad day” song, but tragedy seems to hit legends like Buddy Holly, and missing the “Bad Day” band.

by drummer on Dec 28, 2008 4:30 PM PST up reply actions

great day!

- Cowboys lose and dont make playoffs
- Jets (Favre) does not make playoffs and gets beat by out by the QB they cut! hahaha
- NE is eliminated even though they go 11-5, good times!!

by krazybalr on Dec 28, 2008 4:28 PM PST reply actions

I'd be happier...

With a winning season.

by drummer on Dec 28, 2008 4:31 PM PST up reply actions

The Niners did have a winning [half]season

by methodrampage on Dec 29, 2008 8:38 AM PST up reply actions

Moral victories...

Don’t really count in the Final standings.

by drummer on Dec 29, 2008 11:27 AM PST up reply actions

I’m happy that we learned how to win and can take some momentum into the off-season. Good day tomorrow everyone!!

"We'd like to think that tickets will be hard to come by." Bill Walsh

by TripTheNinja on Dec 28, 2008 4:32 PM PST reply actions

Fun game

Football, among many other things, is a game of momentum. Part of what a coach does is to manage that momentum. When your team has it, keep it going, and when your team doesn’t, make the right moves to get it back.

I felt with Coach Sing that he helped the team do more with managing momentum (where I’m sure playing experience helped). It used to be that if a game started to get away from the Niners, I didn’t think they had a great chance to get back.

But did anyone doubt we had a great chance to still win the game after the game was tied at 24? That’s where I think Coach has made his greatest victories. I hope he has a chance to continue his project for at least a couple seasons.

by RobbieS on Dec 28, 2008 4:34 PM PST reply actions