Daily Madden: Justin Smith Provides Push 49ers Need
There's still no word on whether injured 49er defensive lineman Justin Smith will play Sunday against the Cardinals, or even be ready for the playoffs.
Watch CBS News
There's still no word on whether injured 49er defensive lineman Justin Smith will play Sunday against the Cardinals, or even be ready for the playoffs.
After losing last week to the Seattle Seahawks, the San Francisco 49ers failed to lock up the NFC West. The first team goal of 2013 was to win the division, and they can still do so with a win in the season finale against the Arizona Cardinals. Both the offense and defense have struggled for the last game and a half, however it's the defense that not only needs to play much better, but should also have no problem carrying San Francisco into the playoffs, with momentum at their back.
San Francisco had the most players selected, nine, including six from its second-ranked defense.
With so many injuries to key receivers, the 49ers will rely more than ever on Randy Moss and first-round pick A.J. Jenkins to support top threat Michael Crabtree, starting Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.
The one thing that no team can control is injuries. This year San Francisco has been healthy for the most part, but as the season winds down their luck has changed. If they hope to finish the season strong they will need to overcome a few key injuries, which will be difficult, but far from impossible.
Patrick Willis has become the face of the San Francisco 49er franchise. He is the middle linebacker on a team know for its defensive prowess. As his teammates have stepped up their level of play, he has been able to focus more on his position, and the result is a top tier defense. Willis has also made an impact off the field where he remains involved in the community and is someone who realizes that he is in a position to help those around him.
The rematch between the two best NFC West teams was not the nail biter that it was hyped to be. The game figured to be a low scoring, physical struggle, but instead saw Seattle continue their hot streak, as the Seahawks handed San Francisco by far their worst defeat of the season.
The Seattle Seahawks clinched a spot in the NFC playoffs with a 42-13 rout of San Francisco on Sunday night.
'Banjo Man' and Club 49 are among tailgating fixtures at Candlestick.
The Sunday Night NFC West match-up between San Francisco and Seattle will be physical. The last time the two teams met it was deemed one of the most physical games of the season. With a lot riding on this game for both teams, the rematch figures to be just as brutal. To make matters worse, both teams are beat up, and the 49ers could be without a key player.
A few days ago news broke that Billy Beane and the Oakland A's had signed Japanese shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima. After the Tuesday signing, a bizarre viral video appeared from Next Media Animations out of Taiwan.
Sunday night's game between the 49ers and Seahawks is one of the most anticipated of the weekend. John Madden told the KCBS morning crew there are many more big games ahead between Seattle and San Francisco.
The match-up between the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks will feature two teams in the same division that are almost identical in their formula for success. The last time they met it was a physical game that came down to the wire, and since then both teams have only gotten better. Sunday will determine if the Seahawks have caught up to the 49ers, or if they still are not quite on the level of the defending NFC West Champs.
Dashon Goldson has a stack of manila envelopes in his locker, filing away the paperwork every time the NFL has fined the San Francisco 49ers safety.
Despite several successful starts under his belt, Colin Kaepernick has one more test in front of him. This week, his task does not get easier when the team will travel to Seattle to play in the unfriendly confines of Century Field. His starting job is not really in doubt, but another win will completely justify the switch from Alex Smith and give the team the right momentum heading into the season finale.
