@ 

After a great start to the game, that half turned hideous rather quickly.  Both 49ers starting safeties are out of the game, although losing Roman might not be the worst thing in the world.  The offense was in sync early but struggled in the second quarter.  Down 10 at the half, let's hope Coach Singletary has something to get this team going in the second half.  It'd really be nice to finish with a win.  Let's hope for a little new thread mojo.

GO NINERS!

  @ 

Date: December 28, 2008
Time: 1:15pm PST
Location: Bill Walsh Field @ Candlestick Park, San Francisco, CA
Records: 49ers (6-9) Redskins (8-7)
Bodoglife.com Spread: 49ers -3; Over/Under 37.5; Money Line: 49ers -150, Redskins +130 - Win and the under.  Redskins secondary will contain the passing game, but not enough.
Weather: 52°, 10% chance of showers, Wind SSW 2mph
TV Broadcast: FOX - Ron Pitts, Tony Boselli, Charissa Thompson
Radio: 107.7 The Bone, 680/1050 KNBR - Joe Starkey, Gary Plummer, Rod Brooks
Spanish Radio: KIQI 1010-AM, KATD 990-AM - Fernando Arias and Ambrosio Rico
Redskins Coverage: Hogs Haven

Streaming Video Options

Sports Bar Thread

Week 17 Prediction Contest - Remember that if you don't get predictions in for the morning games you can still enter predictions for later games and get credit.  You get credit for any predictions entered by kickoff of the given game.  So, if you forget today, you can still predict the MNF game.

Injuries
49ers: Probable - RB Frank Gore (ankle), C Eric Heitmann (abdomen), SS Michael Lewis (abdomen), FS Mark Roman (knee), OT Adam Snyder (ankle), LB Ahmad Brooks (back)

Redskins: Probable - G Pete Kendall (knee); Questionable - OT Jon Jansen (knee), DT Kedric Golston (ankle), LB London Fletcher (foot)

Inactives
49ers: Jamie Martin (third QB), CB Marcus Hudson, CB Reggie Smith, RB Thomas Clayton, LB Ahmad Brooks, C Cody Wallace, T Adam Snyder and TE Sean Ryan.

Redskins: Colt Brennan (third QB), WR Malcolm Kelly, T Devin Clark, G Will Montgomery, DT Ryan Boschetti, OL D'Anthony Batiste, LB Tyson Smith and DE Rob Jackson.

Fooch's Note: Gore will be starting today.

And so we reach the season finale.  It's been a long season for the 49ers with plenty of lows and thankfully a few highs (or at least mediums I suppose).  The team has certainly developed a sufficient amount of momentum heading into the offseason, but one last win would certainly leave a sweet taste to an otherwise sour season.

Aside from whether Frank Gore will play, one of the big curiosities is what kind of game the Redskins bring.  They were in the drivers seat for a playoff spot before a 3-game losing streak ended those hopes.  Jim Zorn went from an early candidate for coach of the year to a guy who might very well have to fear for his job.  That's not the case in San Francisco and one of the reasons I just want this game over with is so the 49ers can officially lock up Mike Singletary.  Either way, let's hope for a W to finish off this season.

Feel free to use this as the morning game thread as well.  If we get a decent amount of early game chatter I'll plan on opening a new thread midway through the 49ers game.

GO NINERS!

  @ 

Date: December 21, 2008
Time: 10:00am PST
Location: Edward Jones Dome St. Louis, MO
Records: 49ers (5-9) Rams (2-12)
Bodoglife.com Spread: 49ers -5.5; Over/Under 43; Money Line: 49ers -230, Rams +190 - Win and the over; let's hope for big points for the 49ers
Weather: Room Temperature
TV Broadcast: FOX - Sam Rosen, Tim Ryan, Chris Myers
Radio: 107.7 The Bone, 680/1050 KNBR - Joe Starkey, Gary Plummer, Rod Brooks
Spanish Radio: KIQI 1010-AM, KATD 990-AM - Fernando Arias and Ambrosio Rico
Rams Coverage: Turf Show Times

Streaming Video Options

Sports Bar Thread

Week 16 Prediction Contest - Remember that if you don't get predictions in for the morning games you can still enter predictions for later games and get credit.  You get credit for any predictions entered by kickoff of the given game.  So, if you forget today, you can still predict the MNF game.

Injuries
49ers: Probable - SS Michael Lewis (abdomen), KR/PR Allen Rossum (ankle), LT Joe Staley (ankle), WR Josh Morgan (head), FS Mark Roman (head), DE Ron Fields (foot); Questionable - LB Ahmad Brooks (back), RB Frank Gore (ankle), OT Adam Snyder (ankle)

Rams: Probable - K Josh Brown (groin), CB Jason Craft (back), DT La'Roi Glover (knee), G Jacob Bell (hamstring), CB Ron Bartell (back)

Alright, let's hope for a nice little blow out.  Nothing more, nothing less.  Road games are tough, but this is one where the 49ers should just take care of business.  Frank Gore is a gametime decision, but given his performance last week, I'm not too concerned about DeShaun Foster handling the rock.  I'd like to see Gore crack 1,000 yards again, but not at the expense of longterm injury.

I won't be around to get a recap up after the game, so our Golden Nuggets man Ninjames will be handling the recap immediately after the game.  I'll have something up later in the afternoon/early evening.

GO NINERS!

  @ 

Date: December 14, 2008
Time: 10:00am PST
Location: Dolphins Stadium Miami, CA
Records: 49ers (5-8) Dolphins (8-5)
Bodoglife.com Spread: 49ers +7; Over/Under 44.5; Money Line: 49ers +230, Dolphins -270 - Win and the over as my contest prediction shows
Weather: 76°, 0% chance of rain, Wind E 17 mph
TV Broadcast: FOX - Sam Rosen, Tim Ryan, Chris Myers
Radio: 107.7 The Bone, 680/1050 KNBR - Joe Starkey, Gary Plummer, Rod Brooks
Spanish Radio: KIQI 1010-AM, KATD 990-AM - Fernando Arias and Ambrosio Rico
Dolphins Coverage: The Phinsider

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Sports Bar Thread

Week 15 Prediction Contest - Remember that if you don't get predictions in for the morning games you can still enter predictions for later games and get credit.  You get credit for any predictions entered by kickoff of the given game.  So, if you forget today, you can still predict the MNF game.

Injuries
49ers: Probable - C Eric Heitmann (abdominal strain), S Dashon Goldson (knee), KR/PR Allen Rossum (ankle), CB Nate Clements (hand), CB Marcus Hudson (concussion); Questionable - RB Frank Gore (ankle); Out - WR Arnaz Battle (foot)

Dolphins: Probable - CB Jason Allen (hand)

Inactives
49ers: QB Jamie Martin, RB Frank Gore, LB Roderick Green, C Cody Wallace, CB Reggie Smith, T Jacob Bender, S Dashon Goldson

Dolphins: Q John Beck, WR Chris Hannon, FB Casey Cramer, G Shawn Murphy, DE Lionel Dotson, LB Quentin Moses, T Nate Garner, DE Rodrique Wright

Editor's Note: Barrows wrote in his game day live blog that Rossum won't return punts.  Not sure why he's inactive then.  We'll see what the updates bring.

Well, the folks at The Phinsider have been talking all sorts of smack.  Apparently there's no way the 49ers can win this game.  It's gonna be a tough one to win that's for sure.  When the 49ers went into Buffalo to win, the Bills struggled for much of the game, which was a big key.  I doubt the Dolphins start off as slow.  Of course, if Frank Gore is out, that certainly makes things a little more difficult.  Either way, I'll be rockin my Patrick Willis jersey, so here's hoping for good things.

GO NINERS!

  @ 

Date: December 7, 2008
Time: 1:05pm PST
Location: Bill Walsh Field @ Candlestick Park, San Francisco, CA
Records: 49ers (4-8) Jets (8-4)
Bodoglife.com Spread: 49ers +4; Over/Under 44.5; Money Line: 49ers +165, Jets -190 - 49ers get the win but stick with the under.
Weather: 56°, 0% chance of rain, Wind W 5mph
TV Broadcast: CBS - Jim Nantz, Phil Simms
Radio: 107.7 The Bone, 680/1050 KNBR - Joe Starkey, Gary Plummer, Rod Brooks
Spanish Radio: KIQI 1010-AM, KATD 990-AM - Fernando Arias and Ambrosio Rico
Jets Coverage: Gang Green Nation

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Sports Bar Thread

Week 14 Prediction Contest - Remember that if you don't get predictions in for the morning games you can still enter predictions for later games and get credit.  You get credit for any predictions entered by kickoff of the given game.  So, if you forget today, you can still predict the MNF game.

Injuries
49ers: Probable - WR Arnaz Battle (foot), S Dashon Goldson (knee), S Michael Lewis (abdomen), WR Josh Morgan (groin); Questionable - CB Nate Clements (thumb); Doubtful - CB Allen Rossum (ankle)

Jets: Probable - WR Jerrico Cotchery (shoulder), DL Shaun Ellis (back), LB Jason Trusnik (knee); Questionable - DB Ahmad Carroll (foot), WR Laveranues Coles (thigh), LB David Harris (groin), S Eric Smith (head)

Ïnactives
49ers: Jamie Martin (third QB), KR/PR Allen Rossum, CB Nate Clements, S Dashon Goldson, LB Ahmad Brooks, C Cody Wallace, T Jacob Bender and WR Josh Morgan.

Jets: Brett Ratliff (third QB), K Mike Nugent, WR David Clowney, RB Marcus Mason, S Eric Smith, CB  David Barrett, LB Jason Trusnik and TE Bubba Franks.

EDITOR'S NOTE 12:15PM: Nate Clements is OUT.  According to MM, Strickland will start at corner and in nickel situations, Strickland will move to the slot and Tarell Brown will be at the corner.

Not much really needs to be said about this game.  The Jets need a win to continue their playoff push and the 49ers need to build on the momentum of last week's win at Buffalo.  There are multiple game-time decisions including Clements, Goldson and Morgan for the 49ers and David Harris for the Jets.  Let's hope for a 49ers upset.

GO NINERS!

  @ 

Date: November 30, 2008
Time: 10:00am PST
Location: Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, NY
Records: 49ers (3-8) Bills (6-5)
Bodoglife.com Spread: 49ers +6.5; Over/Under 43; Money Line: 49ers +240, Bills -280 - 49ers cover for the win and it goes over
Weather: 38°, 60% chance of rain/snow, Wind ESE 15mph
TV Broadcast: FOX - Ron Pitts, Tony Boselli, Charissa Thompson
Radio: 107.7 The Bone, 680/1050 KNBR - Joe Starkey, Gary Plummer, Rod Brooks
Spanish Radio: KIQI 1010-AM, KATD 990-AM - Fernando Arias and Ambrosio Rico
Bills Coverage: Buffalo Rumblings

Streaming Video Options

Sports Bar Thread

Week 13 Prediction Contest - Remember that if you don't get predictions in for the morning games you can still enter predictions for later games and get credit.  You get credit for any predictions entered by kickoff of the given game.  So, if you forget today, you can still predict the MNF game.

Injuries
49ers: Probable - LB Patrick Willis (hip), WR Jason Hill (groin); Questionable - WR Arnaz Battle (foot), WR Josh Morgan (groin), CB Walt Harris (hamstring); Out - FS Dashon Goldson (knee), KR Allen Rossum (ankle)

Bills: Questionable - DE Copeland Bryan (foot), LB Keith Ellison (ankle), TE Derek Schouman (hamstring); Doubtful - S Donte Whitner (shoulder); Out - CB Jabari Greer (Knee), LB Teddy Lehman (hamstring), TE Robert Royal (hamstring), DE Aaron Schobel (foot)

Numerous injuries have cropped up that might leave us with some new faces out there for the 49ers.  Walt Harris finds himself questionable, which means we might get to see Tarell Brown make his first career start.  If Harris is a no-go, that could also mean a boost in Reggie Smith's playing time.  You never like to see injuries, but I've reached a point where I want to see what more of the young guys can do.  Tarell Brown has shown talent in the secondary but if he's going to become a starter, we need to find out sooner rather than later.

It's going to be a tough game, particularly if Buffalo gets hit by a potential snow storm.  The Rams win aside, the 49ers have to be desperate for a W.  Of course the Bills are probably even more desperate to get a winning streak going.  They're 6-5 and trailing in most of the tie breakers.  I think it's time for the 49ers to put a serious crimp in the Bills playoff plans.

GO NINERS!

Happy Thanksgiving to everybody.  Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because of great good, football and little to no responsibilities.  I'll probably be away from my computer the entire day so I thought I'd schedule an open thread for all the games if anybody is meandering through Niners Nation on Turkey Day. 

Today's games, times and television network:

Tennessee @ Detroit - 9:30 AM PT/12:30 PM ET - CBS

Seattle @ Dallas - 1:15 PM PT/4:15 PM ET - FOX

Arizona @ Philadelphia - 5:15 PM PT/8:15 PM ET - NFL Network

None of this week's prediction contest games are going on today, so still plenty of time to get all your picks in.  Enjoy football and have a happy Thanksgiving.

Continue reading this post »

  vs. 

Date: September 14, 2008
Time: 1:05pm PST
Location: Qwest Field, Seattle, WA
Records: 49ers (0-1) Seahawks (0-1)
Bodoglife.com Spread: 49ers +7; Over/Under 38; Money Line: 49ers +240, Seahawks -280 - With all the injuries, bet on this at your own risk
Weather: 68°, 20% chance of showers, wind N 8 mph
TV Broadcast: Fox - Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Tony Siragusa
Radio: 107.7 The Bone, 680/1050 KNBR - Joe Starkey, Gary Plummer, Rod Brooks
Spanish Radio: KIQI 1010-AM, KATD 990-AM - Fernando Arias and Ambrosio Rico
Seahawks Coverage: Field Gulls

Sports Bar Thread - If you forgot to pick miss any of the games, you can always just predict the later ones to get any points you can.  If you miss all of today's you can just pick MNF if you want.

Week 2 Prediction Contest

Injuries
49ers: Probable - C Eric Heitmann; Questionable - CB Donald Strickland

Seahawks: Probable - CB Marcus Trufant, LB Lofa Tatupu, DE Baraka Atkins; Doubtful - OT Sean Locklear, WR Deion Branch; Out -WR Bobby Engram, RB Maurice Morris

Editor's Update 1:08pm - Seneca Wallace OUT with leg injury

Inactives (Updated 11:57pm)
49ers: QB Jamie Martin, CB Marcus Hudson, CB Donald Strickland, CB Reggie Smith, C Cody Wallace, LB Tully Banta-Cain, G Chilo Rachal, LB Ahmad Brooks

Seahawks: OT Sean Locklear, WR Deion Branch, DE Baraka Atkins, RB Maurice Morris, WR Bobby Engram, DT Red Bryant, K Brandon Coutu

Matt Maiocco describes this game as a GPS game for the 49ers.  In spite of all the injuries to Seattle, I agree that this will definitely give the 49ers a better idea of where they're at in the NFL world.  If healthy, the Seahawks defense brings a great pass rush, a solid secondary and great linebackers.  Even if their offense does struggle, the defense will be able to keep them in this game.

This is not a game for a close, moral defeat.  If the 49ers want to be relevant in 2008, I think they need to win this game.  It's going to be a tough game and Seattle has plenty of healthy talent to win this game.  Throw in a crazy crowd for the home opener and it's going to be a battle.  However, if the 49ers can avoid too many turnovers and even create some of their own, this has definite upset potential.

For the second straight week I think we'll just use this as the open thread for all early games.  If we get a repeat of last week's commenting I'll open up a second half thread.  And as always, I'll be back with a post-game recap.

GO NINERS!