The Grant Napear Show - November 26, 2013
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If San Francisco hopes to avoid their 5th loss this season, they are going to have to beat a St. Louis team that has improved its level of play since their week 4 match-up. While this is far from an easy win, the 49ers are at home, seem to have their offense on the right track, and should sweep the season series against their division rival.
For the past two weeks the 49ers offense, specifically the passing game, has been stuck in neutral. On Monday Night it kicked it into gear and with another lights out performance by the defense, San Francisco earned their 7th win of the year.
For the second time in two weeks the 49ers lost a game in which they have to feel that they should have won. While they played admirably, the bottom line is that San Francisco needs to get back to their winning ways if they hope to make it back to the playoffs.
All signs point to the 49ers and Saints having all their playmakers available this Sunday, but New Orleans biggest weapon is not completely healthy. Despite several players on this week's report, San Francisco is continues to avoid any serious injuries.
The three 49ers defeats this season have all had something to do with the passing game. While they are far from a championship contender with an unbalanced offense the team shouldn't be concerned. In two weeks, San Francisco will be a far different team from a passing standpoint, and all the critics that are now jumping ship will be fighting to get back on the bandwagon.
Both New Orleans and San Francisco are legitimate Super Bowl contenders and will have to play their best game of the season to pull out a victory in this one. The winner will not only keep alive their hopes of a favorable playoff path, but will also send a loud message to the rest of the NFC.
Despite coming off their bye, and playing at home, the 49ers suffered another heartbreaking defeat. Instead of extending their winning streak to six, San Francisco will now have to beat a good New Orleans team to avoid losing their second in a row.
Michael Crabtree has been cleared to practice, which means that he should be back on the active roster and playing in games sometime this month. His return, along with the recent activation of Mario Manningham mean the 49ers are finally full strength, and ready to take on all challengers.
While his stats don't jump out at you, and with the 49er passing offense ranked 31st of 32 teams one would not think that Colin Kaepernick is having a great season. However, a look inside the numbers show that Colin Kaepernick is not only having a good season, but the past few weeks has played better than any other player at the position, ever.
After beating up on the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, there is not a NFL team in a better position than the San Francisco 49ers. They have won 5 straight, have a week off to rest up, continue to get better on the field, and with several players getting over lingering injures, the 49ers figure to be even better the next time they hit the field.
The only concern for the 49ers this week is overlooking their opponent. San Francisco is playing easily the worst team in the NFL, and while they will have to still play a good, clean game to win, the 49ers have no business losing this game.
Tennessee stuck around for a half, but this game was never in doubt. The 49ers beat the Titans in every possible phase and the result was San Francisco winning their 4th straight game, convincingly.
While no 49er has been ruled out yet, both the 49ers and Titans appear as though they will be without at least one of their key run stoppers. Other defensive players have also been limited in practice, and as a result, both teams should look to rush the ball early and often.
The 49ers will complete their first run through their divisional opponents when they take on the Arizona Cardinals this Sunday. The loser of the game will fall to .500 and if either team wants to make the playoffs, they have to look at this game as a must win.
Instead of the knockout, drag out fight expected of this match-up of NFL heavyweights, the Texans had no answer for the 49ers on Sunday Night. With their defense and running game leading the way, for the second straight week the 49ers dominated their opponent in an easy win.
The Houston Texans will face their second NFC West opponent in as many weeks, when they travel to Candlestick to take on the 49ers Sunday Night. Both teams are desperate for a win, have playoff aspirations, and with plenty of playmakers on both sides of the ball, this one has all the ingredients for an entertaining game.
After scoring 10 points in the past two games combined, the 49er offense finally woke up. Frank Gore and Anquan Boldin lead the way as San Francisco snapped their first losing streak under Jim Harbaugh, exacting revenge on a St. Louis team that had the 49ers number last season.
