San Francisco 49ers First Quarter Review: To be continued

by David Fucillo on Oct 6, 2009 11:01 AM PDT in San Francisco 49ers News

Now that the 49ers have 4 games in the books, it would certainly make sense to start looking at the first quarter of the season and reviewing the 49ers performance. However, the quirks of the schedule have given me a different idea.

The 49ers face the Atlanta Falcons this week and then have a bye week next week. Given that bye week, I thought I'd just use next week as a time to review the 49ers performance to date and see what people think going forward. And actually, 5 games is a quarter of the way to something big. If the 49ers win their division with no first round bye, and play 20 games, that means they'll have played in the Super Bowl. Now I realize a Super Bowl appearance is asking a lot and I'm not predicting one at this point. But we can always dream can't we?

Another reason I'm fine waiting until next week is that I think we'll have a much better idea of things following this week's game, as opposed to last week's win over the Rams. With 3 games against a shaky NFC West, a game against a very solid Falcons offense would tell us a lot more about this defense. Good teams beat potential playoff teams. While it's true the 49ers almost beat the Vikings, they still ended up losing that game. It might have been a necessary step backwards to take many steps forward, but they still lost the game.

If the 49ers lose to Atlanta, the first quarter of their season is viewed in the context of the wins: They could definitely win the West, but not much else. A win over Atlanta gives them even more "street cred" around the league. I certainly don't look down upon the wins so far. 3-1 is 3-1 no matter who you play. Last year's 49ers had a chance at 3-1 and certainly couldn't pull it off.

So it's safe to say things have certainly started off well for your 2009 49ers. Winning at home against a playoff caliber team is the next step for this team to take. Feel free to discuss the first quarter of the season here, but we'll be back next week with a more official first quarter review.

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Comments

Thief

You are saying what exactly what I said last week and even in the Singletary approval post from today! Ah just messing with you. It is nice to hear someone have a similar opinion. I do not see the rest of the league giving us the proper respect until we win a game against a serious playoff caliber team outside our division! (Especially some other team’s fans) You know my pre-season pick of 11-4 doesn’t seem to far-fetched as of right now!

by Ten-Man on Oct 6, 2009 11:30 AM PDT reply actions

great minds!

The Vikings win would have been huge, but alas, it was not to be. A win over the Falcons, even at home, would mean a lot.

by David Fucillo on Oct 6, 2009 11:32 AM PDT up reply actions

What happened to the 16th game?

Just wondering….:)

by sanfranfanmdk on Oct 6, 2009 12:11 PM PDT up reply actions

opps

LOL 11-5 It was the Vikings game, I don’t count it ! nope just a typo!

11-5... My 49ers pre-season prediction!

by Ten-Man on Oct 6, 2009 12:19 PM PDT up reply actions

49er fan in LA

This game is huge hope they’ll show it on tv in Los Angeles. We don’t get much love in So. Cal.

by japanesezero on Oct 6, 2009 11:50 AM PDT via mobile reply actions

LA Niner Games

We have your 49er headquarters for ya in Long Beach,CA!! Gallaghers at the corner of Broadway and Temple! Hit me up if you want for details. This is The NinerEmpire LA Chapter

by rck211 on Oct 14, 2009 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions

Looking at power rankings today..

Vikings being ranked the 2nd-4th team in the league? Really?
I wonder if we had beat them if we would be in that position..
Doubtful.
GDYF.

by mountaindew77 on Oct 6, 2009 12:20 PM PDT reply actions

Not surprised

All the pundits overrated the Packers. The Vikings essentially blew them off the field last night. The score was 30-14 before it became garbage point time.

Still I would rate the Vikings within the Top 5. I do think the Vikings and Saints are the class of the NFC. Also think the NFC is a better conference than the AFC this season.

by bignerd on Oct 6, 2009 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions

Not high on NYG?

I know they have only had one tough game (@Dallas) but they have great depth and rush the QB with only four guys plus run the ball quite well. I’d put NY and NO (who happen to play in two weeks) ahead of Minnesota. The only big team the Vikes have played was us, and it took our dropping a pick-6 and having no Gore for them to win.

You gotta bring ass to get ass.

by SpurredOn on Oct 6, 2009 3:03 PM PDT up reply actions

Nope not sold on NY yet

I’m not convinced about their passing game. Eli always plays his best games against the Cowboys and the rest of the schedule has been a cupcake. Until they can prove to me that their passing game works against a real defensive challenge than I’m going to assume they have the same inept passing offense they had last year when Plaxico shot ~~himself~~ NY Giants in the foot.

by bignerd on Oct 6, 2009 11:51 PM PDT up reply actions

How to beat the Falcons - run the ball, shut down M. Turner.

The Falcons this year have an improved offense with lots of weapons – QB Matt Ryan, WR Roddy White, TE T. Gonzales, and a pretty good OL. But on defense, they have had problems stopping the run, and even more difficulty stopping the pass. So how do the 49ers, with their outstanding defense and atrocious offense, win this game?

Keep the Falcon’s offense off the field. The defense can do their part by shutting down M. Turner just like they have A. Petersen and S. Jackson and taking away the short timing passes by playing the WRs aggressively at the LOS to throw them off their routes. Make Ryan go to his 3rd & 4th options or the outlet pass, which will give our pass rushers a little extra time to harass the QB. Put them in 3rd & long and then bring in the Dime Of Doom package. In other words, go with the standard 49er defensive game plan. On offense, the prime directive should be to run with the rock and eat the clock. This will be possible only if the OL plays better than they have to date, an iffy proposition, but the Falcon’s DL hasn’t stopped anyone yet, so the possibility is there.

I’m confident the 49er defense will do it’s job, but this game will turn on whether or not the offense can both put points on the board and use up the clock to keep Ryan and friends off the field. It’s our strength on defense going straight up against their strength on offense, but once again turnovers, penalties, and mental mistakes can cost either team the game. The end result? 49ers, 24 -17.

by MontanaPass on Oct 6, 2009 2:16 PM PDT reply actions