Golden Nuggets: 49ers Finishing Strong, but Still Have More Work to Do.

The 49ers got their third fourth win in a row Sunday morning in their only true 10:00 AM game of the season. The now 4-10 Tampa Bay Buccaneers played the role of the villains and tried to play spoiler on our season. Despite the score, 33-14, the 49ers once again let an inferior team hang around far too long in what has become a troubling habit for this team. They dominated the majority of the game, yet at one point in the 4th quarter it was only a six point game. To their credit, the 49ers followed the Buccaneers second scoring drive with a ridiculous 17 play drive that took 10:27 off the clock. The drive not only made it a two possession game, it forced the Bucs into desperation mode where they attempted a reverse hand off on the kickoff return which hilariously ended in a fumble which was scooped up by Kendall Hunter as he dove into the end zone.

The defense was flat out dominant today, forcing the Bucs to punt on 7 of 11 drives. Two of the other four were a garbage time four and out and an Eric Reid pick to seal the game for good. So in all, the Bucs offense failed on 9 of 11 drives. One of the things I always like to see from this group is shutting down the run. In our losses this season our opponents have pretty much had their way running the ball. The Bucs got 39 yards on only 12 carries. Unfortunately for them Mike Glennon, who has looked pretty good in spurts this season wasn't much better. His footwork was a mess and our defenders did a good job breaking up passes when they were on target.

The 49ers still haven't clinched a playoff spot but we are pretty close to that point. In order to clinch this week we needed either the Eagles or Cowboys to lose, which both of them did. We also needed the Cardinals to lose to the Titans, that game went into overtime with the Cards getting the win and staying alive for another week. The Saints really helped us by losing to the Rams, because they still have to play the Panthers again, if we win our next two games we will have a better record than whoever loses that second game giving us the 5th seed. We should never think of winning games in the NFL as a forgone conclusion, but this team is on a role right now and I can only imagine what the atmosphere will be like next week for what will likely be the last game ever at Candlestick. I can't wait, and I know you guys can't wait for your daily dose of linkage. To the links!

Game Recaps:

49ers avoid letdown, dismiss Buccaneers, 33-14 (Branch)

It’s 10 wins for 49ers, as they beat the Buccaneers (PFT)

49ers Beat Buccaneers, Inch Toward Playoff Spot (49ers)

Final: 49ers 33, Buccaneers 14 (Inman)

49ers inch closer to playoffs with 33-14 win in Tampa (BASG)

Rapid Reaction: San Francisco 49ers (ESPN)

49ers Sink Buccaneers 33-14 (Scout)

Post Game Analysis and Reax:

Full Highlights: 49ers vs. Buccaneers (49ers)

Niners Charge Toward Playoffs With Fourth Straight Win (NBC)

The 52 yard Vernon Davis TD where he slammed into the wall was both electrifying and terrifying. I was off my feet screaming when he caught it then immediately slumped back on the couch with my face in my palm fearing another concussion. Turns out Vernon didn't have any symptoms and didn't even receive a concussion test. Niners didn’t give Vernon Davis a concussion exam (PFT)

Wall has better luck than Bucs in stopping Davis (Maiocco)

Vernon Davis avoids injury after slamming into wall on TD grab (SI)

Frank Gore went over 1000 yards yesterday, It marks his seventh season at over 1000 yards, he just continues to establish himself on the pantheon of great 49ers.

Gore goes over 1,000-yard mark (Maiocco)

Frank Gore Crosses 1,000-yard Mark for 49ers (49ers)

49ers notes: death, taxes and Frank Gore Read (Barrows)

49ers notes: FB Miller injured; Reid makes unselfish play; Gore hits 1,000 (Branch)

Crabtree claims he’s trying to play ‘catch up’ (Inman)

Crabtree plays with pent-up emotions (Maiocco)

Good news for 49ers: Kaepernick '12 has returned (Barrows)

Reid passes up TD to help 49ers run out the clock (Maiocco)

Miller scheduled for X-rays on arm (Maiocco)

There has been a lot of nervous chatter over the past week with the news that Texas has their eyes on Jim Harbaugh as a potential replacement for Mack Brown. I personally don't think Harbs is going anywhere, but I would be lying If I said I wasn't even a little nervous at the news. Needless to say, I would prefer it If Harbaugh is this team's coach for a long time and am glad that they are talking extension. Niners plan to extend Jim Harbaugh after the season (PFT)

Aldon Smith Records 12th Multi-Sack Game (49ers)

Notes: Miller hurt, Reid’s smart play, Aldon’s sacks, Gore’s runs (Inman)

Despite 33-14 win, 49ers still must wait to clinch playoff berth (Inman)

49ers avoid the trap and cruise again (ESPN)

The drive: 17-play march seals 49ers’ win in Tampa Bay (Branch)