Golden Nuggets: More fallout from Rams loss, LaMichael James to play?

The repercussions are still being felt from Sunday's loss to the Rams. Most of the news I see is either excuses or 'the sky isn't falling' pieces. That usually means that the sky is falling to some degree. There's not a doubt in my mind that we're going to crush the poor Miami Dolphins. That's been the pattern so far this season. We've yet to play two bad games in a row. Conversely, we've yet to play three good games in a row. That's where the problem lies. We have to play at least three games in the playoffs, more likely four if we keep this pace up, and that's exactly why the sky is falling, albeit only slightly.

What would it take for you to be convinced that we could win the Super Bowl this year? For me, we've got to win 3 of 4. That means winning either at New England or at Seattle. Luckily we never play two bad games in a row, so we should escape with one of those two and a division title. The division title is great, but we need the first-round bye, as injuries and sore bodies continue to mount. And that's where it appears the loss (and previous tie) to the Rams will hurt us most. We beat the Packers in Green Bay already, but September on Lake Michigan and January on Lake Michigan are two different things. Hopefully the Patriots game will give the players a taste of the cold weather, because, unless things improve, we're going on the road in January.

That's the last I want to write about the Rams loss...except, wait...I've got an assignment for Bay Area on the topic due later tonight. But, at least it appears that LaMichael James might get on the field soon. I've got some thoughts on the topic with the accompanying news item, but I will say I think it's a good thing. To the bat cave....no, to the links....

Week 13: Rams 16, 49ers 13

Here's a good piece from Football Outsiders explaining exactly how and why we lost to the Rams on Sunday. We got dominated at the line of scrimmage on the offensive side of the ball. | Any given Sunday: Rams over 49ers (FO)

Christian Gin has some thoughts on the game. Colin Kaepernick is going through growing pains and the coaching staff's errors are the most glaring problems. | 49ers vs Rams: Five things we learned (Gin)

49ers' offensive line also to blame in loss to Rams (BASG)

49ers inexcusably blow an opportunity (Mercury News)

Week 14: Dolphins at 49ers

Week 14: Dolphins-49ers preview (Yahoo!)

Assorted 49ers News

Well, here's the second part of the great QB debate of 2012. If Colin Kaepernick is the starter going forward, what do we do with Alex Smith? He's an expensive backup. What would his trade value be? I've never been a fan of the overvaluation of draft picks in the NFL, so I wonder what we'd get in return. | Why it makes sense for 49ers to trade Alex Smith (Maiocco)

Straight from the WTF files...Coach Harbaugh as Screech's cousin on Saved by the Bell? Serious? | Jim Harbaugh played Screech's cousin on 'Saved by the Bell' (BASG)

There's been plenty of talk about LaMichael James getting on the field. It was obvious that Brandon Jacobs and Anthony Dixon weren't going to replace Kendall Hunter. If they were a change of pace it was a slower pace. Not sure if that's how you back up a bruiser like Frank Gore. | 49ers notebook: LaMichael James' debut could come soon (CBS Sports)

QB controversy forces fans to pick sides (BASG)

Contrite DeMarcus Dobbs addresses 'dumb mistake' (Branch)

Birth mother still trying to connect with Colin Kaepernick (Yahoo!)

Harbaugh expects David Akers to return to form (Mercury News)

The 49ers can wrap up playoff spot (Maiocco)

With injuries mounting, 49ers need A.J. Jenkins, LaMichael James (NBC Bay Area)

Merry Christmas! Harbaugh hints at LaMichael James' December debut (Barrows)

49ers add LB Alex Hoffman-Ellis (49ers.com)

Frank Gore provides clues for why James has been idle (Barrows)

Jeff Garcia: "Most coaches would have put Alex Smith back in as starting quarterback" (Cohn)

Frank Gore not slowed by wrist brace (Mercury News)

49ers focused on finishing strong (49ers.com)

Memo to Texarkana: James' debut appears imminent (Branch)

Many in NFL root for Harbaugh to fail (SF Gate)

Division / Power Rankings / League

Guess who's falling? Coach Harbaugh and David Akers, that's who. Any risers? What do you think? | NFC West stock watch (Sando)

NFL power rankings: How they voted (Sando)

Patriots streak of winning seasons best since Montana/Young 49ers (Pro Football Talk)

Entering the fourth quarter, who's the favorite (Scout.com)

Videos

Press pass: Carlos Rogers

Press pass: Frank Gore

ProFootballTalk: Michael Crabtree best dance in NFL (PFT)

Being a Sheep

Be sure to follow @NinersNation on Twitter as well as on Facebook. You can follow SB Nation Bay Area on Twitter @sbnbayarea and also on Facebook.

If you're new here, you can register for a free account to participate in the discussion and create your own fanposts here at Niners Nation and across our entire network of 300+ sports blogs.