Nothing But Good News From Practice As 49ers Wait On Next Opponent

As the 49ers sit back and wait for the rest of the NFC to duke it out in the first round of the playoffs, they can continue to focus on getting healthy and figured out what to do with David Akers. Although there is still a lot to be determined, both of these issues are being addressed, and the team will have a little over a week to determine what direction they want to go in the kicking department, and the status of Justin Smith.

• Jan 4, 2013

Slumping Akers Received Death Threats On Twitter

San Francisco 49ers placekicker David Akers says he received death threats on Twitter and has closed the account.

• Jan 3, 2013

49ers Welcome Extra Week To Heal Up, Hope Justin Smith Will Be Ready

Other then being able to play at home, by securing the No. 2 seed in the NFC, San Francisco gave themselves an extra week to rest up before their first playoff game. The time off is just as important as home field advantage as the 49ers are nursing several injuries and will hope that the extra week will be enough to get back Justin Smith in time. Even if Smith is able to tough it out, the team needs to make sure that the best thing for both Smith and the team is for him to play.

• Jan 3, 2013

Daily Madden: The 49ers Need Competition At The Kicker Spot

Troubled by the inconsistency of field goal kicker David Akers, the 49ers signed former Redskin Billy Cundiff to compete with Akers.

• Jan 2, 2013

San Francisco 49ers Turn Attention To Kicking Game Woes

David Akers wrapped up a regular season that he would like to forget. Unfortunately, with the playoffs around the corner and a team that needs contributions from all phases, the team can't forget. The result is that with time to prepare for their eventual playoff game, San Francisco is working out kickers to make sure that specials teams is not again the downfall of this team in the postseason.

• Jan 2, 2013

Jim Harbaugh: The Reason The 49ers Are Back In The Playoffs

In a 16 game, 17 week season, a football team goes through a lot up ups and downs. San Francisco's regular season was no exception, luckily with more good then bad, and completed a remarkable journey finding themselves right where they were a year ago. The reason for the teams trip back to the playoffs is the man on the sideline, Jim Harbaugh.

• Jan 1, 2013

Daily Madden: Can Justin Smith Return For Playoffs?

• Dec 31, 2012

49ers Get Back On Track In Season Finale, Clinch Division And First Round Bye

After a disappointing game last week, San Francisco bounced back against Arizona, and just in time for the playoffs. After a slow start, both sides of the ball woke up in the second half and the team cruised to a relatively easy victory. The 49ers can feel very good as it enters the playoffs with a lot in their favor, as the final week went exactly as they could have hoped.

• Dec 31, 2012

San Francisco's Season Finale Injury Report Is Not Looking Good

After 16 weeks of football, the 49ers and Cardinals enter the final game banged up. This is not a surprise, due to the nature of the sport, and injuries are something that all teams deal with. In this match-up it's the 49ers that have more impact players listed as injured, and will be without the services of at least one key player. San Francisco will hope to avoid any more injuries in the season finale, as another injury could be disastrous for their playoff hopes.

• Dec 29, 2012

Vernon Davis Returns To Practice; Not Yet Cleared To Play

Vernon Davis is anxious to get back on the field with the San Francisco 49ers and help them build momentum for the playoffs during Sunday's regular-season finale against Arizona.

• Dec 28, 2012

Daily Madden: 49er Defense Must Step Up In Smith's Absence

The 49ers announced the injury to star defensive tackle Justin Smith is a partial triceps tear, casting serious doubt on his return for the playoffs.

• Dec 28, 2012

49ers and Cardinals Feature Two Teams Headed In Opposite Directions

The NFC West showdown between the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals, at least on paper, is a complete mismatch. The 49ers are the division leader, preparing for the playoffs, while the Cardinals sit in last place and are getting ready for next year.

• Dec 28, 2012

Daily Madden: Is It Time To End The Pro Bowl?

After the 2011 season, the AFC defeated the NFC 59-41 in a Pro Bowl notable for little defense and a general lack of effort.

• Dec 27, 2012

49ers' Defense Will Need To Improve Play In Season Finale

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.

• Dec 27, 2012

With Manningham Out, 49ers Need Others To Step Up

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.

• Dec 26, 2012

Injury Bug Rearing Its Ugly Head As 49ers Close Out Season

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.

• Dec 26, 2012

49ers' Patrick Willis Making Impact On And Off The Field

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.

• Dec 25, 2012

Seattle Seahawks Serve San Francisco 49ers Slice Of Humble Pie

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.

• Dec 24, 2012

Seahawks Roll Past 49ers In Noisy Seattle 42-13

The Seattle Seahawks clinched a spot in the NFC playoffs with a 42-13 rout of San Francisco on Sunday night.

• Dec 23, 2012

49ers And Seahawks Both Limp Into Pivotal Match-Up

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.

• Dec 22, 2012

Daily Madden: 49ers-Seahawks Becoming A Top Rivalry

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.

• Dec 21, 2012

Playoff Livelihoods On the Line When 49ers Meet Seahawks

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.

• Dec 21, 2012

49ers' Goldson Earning New Label For Hard Hits

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.

• Dec 20, 2012

Kaepernick Has No Reason To Be Worried As He Prepares For His Final Exam

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.

• Dec 20, 2012