depends on if smitty can keep up his great play. our team has a tough road to climb. i hope they can do it!! i believe in them!! and of course i believe in smitty!!

geeze matt, we're only 1 game behind... we just need to hold par against teams ari plays and beat them week 14... We go on because of tie breaks.

hey matt i remember you went to indy for the combine and i think you like it there? you excited to go back and get your jogs in?? also you think you can get a smitty interview in? i have been seeing on you tv and its cool seeing you get respect for you hard work! keep it up! thanks

Comment: we're only 1 game behind... we just need to hold par against teams ari plays and beat them week 14... We go on because of tie breaks.

My response: Like I said, not impossible, but the schedule seems to favor the Cardinals. A 49ers division title is certainly not the given I made it out to be several weeks ago. The Cardinals have earned my respect. --Matt M.

Question: i remember you went to indy for the combine and i think you like it there? you excited to go back and get your jogs in??

My response: Yes, I'm looking forward to a run along the canal and dinner at St. Elmo's. --Matt M.

Hi Matt, thanks for all the hard work!! Remember kites rise against the wind, not with it....

Against the odds men find strenght, Alex will bring us back from the shadows, good things happen to good people, he has the skills, an elite rb an a supreme defense to back him up.

BELIEVE!!!
BELIEVE!!!

Do you guys think vernon will score against the colts

Although the 9ers have made good strides this year, I don't think they're are going to the playoffs, not with this O line. I think they're still one good draft away.

The season wouldn't be any fun without hope, but the 49ers have too many serious needs and unknowns to be taken seriously. They'll need two years and a new GM, Headcoach, and OC before they can contend for big things.

A very honest appraisal of the situation.

Injuries will always play a big part of what happens to teams. But with our O Line I don't see how we can move up the ladder into the playoffs unless the Cards collapse.

Vernon's got a very tough matchup... Indy has been the most successful D against TE's this season....

However the quality of TE's they have faced are nowhere near VD so we will see... I predict 65 yds and a TD

Matt, it's funny because I was just looking at the Niners and Cards remaining schedule today as well and the odds are not good for the Niners. If the Cards can keep up their play, they might win at least 11 given their remaining schedule. I just hope the teams that have nothing to play for towards the latter part of the season can play spoiler for us. How sweet would it be to be one down or tied leading into the Monday night showdown in December?

On a side note, please let us put the Hill vs. Smith debate aside until the end of the season and let's rally behind our Niners. I believe Smith has the remaining 10 games to prove whether he's worthy or not. I'm sure their will be a lot of people on here will be eating crow one way or the other.

As for this coming Sunday, I'm very worried/excited. I'm worried because of our O line. Enough has been said on this subject. I'm also worried because we need to find a way to create pressure or Manning will rip our secondary to shreds. I'm just glad Roman is no longer starting this week.

As for my excitement: I'm just looking forward to our offense putting up some points and to see Vernon and Crabs continue to put up huge numbers. Crabs looks like the real deal and a superstar in the making. I think J. Hill should be activated for this game as well since he gives us another option for the deep ball. Hopefully B. Jones can contribute as well. If Smith can continue his play from last Sunday, this game should be very entertaining.

Cardinals Schedule

CAROLINA (2-4) - W (it works either way)
At Chicago (3-3) - W
SEATTLE (2-4) - W
At St. Louis (0-7) - W
At Tennessee (0-6) - W
MINNESOTA (6-1) - L
At 49ers (3-3) - L
At Detroit (1-5) - W
ST. LOUIS (0-7) - W
GREEN BAY (4-2) - L

I don't see how Cards don't win atleast 10 games.

49ers Schedule

at Indianapolis (6-0) - L
TENNESSEE (0-6) - W
CHICAGO (3-3) - W
At Green Bay (4-2) - L
JACKSONVILLE (3-3) - W
At Seattle (2-4) - W
ARIZONA (4-2) - W
At Philadelphia (4-2) - L
DETROIT (1-5) - W
At St. Louis (0-7) - W

But who says the 9ers can't win out at home and beat Seattle and St. Louis on the road.... 10 - 6 baby is playoffs

I see us with luck at 9-7 with a chance at the playoffs if (and only if) we can sweep AZ.

I see the 49ers ending up 7-9 and the Cardinals 11-5 or 10-6.

i have to say, i really dont care who is QB, as long as they can move the chains, before i thought it was Shaun Hill, and i thought he was doing so bad because of the O-Line, i wasnt surprised about the change, what surprised me was how well he played, i understand about the defense not being as agressive, but still, he got it done, which is awesome, it would be great for him to finally shine, but it comes down to who wins, and if hes going to win, lets do it

Get your tickets for the playoffs now gelntlemen. We're going.

Get your tickets for the playoffs now gentlemen. We're going.

Matt is Balmer starting to look like a bust? It's his second year and he isn't challenging at all for a starting spot.

After the Colts, I don't see any team to fear.

Except for Green Bay, we should be favorites for every game and I personally think GB is overrated.

We'll beat the Cardinals again. They were amazingly lucky to win last year on Monday night. Not going to happen again.

Yes, Balmer's a bust and so is Cody Wallace. Rachal will be fine given time.

I'm definitely not a fan of Scott McLoughin over his mishandling of the Crabtree signing and his refusal to pay the market price for guards is a trifle bizarre. But his drafting has been fine. Not the greatest but not even close to being the worst.

I don't even blame Scott for not improving the Left Tackle position. Cheapskate Jed wouldn't pony up the big bucks for free agents and I didn't see any tackle worth signing who was available when we picked in the 2nd round.

The 49ers are improved over last year for sure.
But I don't see them going to the playoffs with this offense.
The OL is poor and the DL hasn't a good enough pass rush.
The DBS lack a shut down CB ..
As good as Smith looked in a half noone knows what he will do.
Let him string 3-4 games in a row and than maybe. Who knows if he goes 11 for 29 with 3 picks 2-3 games in succesion will Sing pull him?
On the plus side???
The LB's.. About this close to great..
Willis alone elevates them to great status... He is THAT good. Best LB not named Ray Lewis.

Vernon Davis, Crabtree are exciting.
FINALLY a Wideout and TE combo for Smith to find..

Frank Gore... Tough, good hard nosed RB..

I see a 7-9 season... but to quote Jim Mora-PLAYOFFS? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? PLAYOFFS? DON'T TALK TO ME ABOUT PLAYOFFS.. PLAYOFFS?

This from someone who says Joe Montana wouldn't be in the HOF with out Jerry Rice..
LVE JR but Montana was HOF bound by the time 81 rolled into town.
As far as not fearing any other teams but Indy?

Don't sleep on Chicago..
Cutler can exploit Sf's LACK of a shut down CB..

So can Rogers at GB..

Don't mock Jaxonville either they are 3-3 like SF.. and have the GREAT MJD....

Arizona is NOT having a Super Bowl hangover season watch out for that offense to roll

Philly is not as bad as they showed in Oakland..

Stow the playoff talk.. 7-9 ain't gonna make it..

MM, when you go back to Indy be more careful in traffic!

Hey REAL FAN I pulled a Homer SORRY!!!!!!!!!
D'OH!!! I BIG FINGERED THE 10 KEY PAD
I CLEARLY INTENDED TO HIT 80 AND NOT 81...
Any way.... Joe Montana was HOF bound prior to JR coming to the team..
AND NO disrespect intened to you REAL FAN..

You certainly LOVE thE team..
I enjoy your passion the fire you have for the team..

I agree with everything BUT the Packers part..
They aren't that bad..

I am with 53 Niners...we should be able to be competititve and wine some of those games. The road games agianst Philly, Indy, and Green Bay...I do not have faith...unless they start playing better.

Agree that division title seems unlikely.

However, there are two wild card teams. At 9-7 we should be in the mix. Particularly in the NFC Central (GB, Minn, Chi) and the NFC East (Dallas, GB, Phi) beat each other up.

I see us at 9-7 in a fight for one of the wild cards with Green Bay, Dallas, Philadelphia, and Atlanta. Unfortunately, we have already lost to Atlanta, and will have tough road games at GB and Philly. If we can pull out either the GB or Philly game...
As they say, on any given sunday... Who would have thought Philly would lose to the Raiders.

Whatever happens, at least the Niners should be in the hunt until the end. When was the last time we were able to sat that?

Go Niners

If you take how the two teams are playing right now (niners are on an 0-3 trend and AZ looks really strong), how do you think the bookmakers would have it right now?

Cardinals Schedule (4-2 today)

CAROLINA (2-4) - W
At Chicago (3-3) - W
SEATTLE (2-4) - W
At St. Louis (0-7) - W
At Tennessee (0-6) - W
MINNESOTA (6-1) - L
At 49ers (3-3) - W
At Detroit (1-5) - W
ST. LOUIS (0-7) - W
GREEN BAY (4-2) - W/L?

That's 12-13 wins. Throw in a upset or two and they're 11/12. Now looking objectively at the niners;

49ers Schedule (3-3)

at Indianapolis (6-0) - L
TENNESSEE (0-6) - W
CHICAGO (3-3) - L
At Green Bay (4-2) - L
JACKSONVILLE (3-3) - L
At Seattle (2-4) - W
ARIZONA (4-2) - L
At Philadelphia (4-2) - L
DETROIT (1-5) - W
At St. Louis (0-7) - W

That's 7 wins. And at Seattle is no gimme, so could be six wins. The key is can they improve their play and beat Chicago, Jacksonville? If they win where they should win that gets them to 9 wins. I don't think we have the horses right now to beat GB or Philly, or AZ if they keep playing the way they're playing.

Reasonable picks, 53Niners. But I wouldn't be surprised if AZ beats MN at home, or GB for that matter, also at home. I also wouldn't be surprised if AZ loses to a bad team, such as at TN or at DET. Though they will probably still end up around 10-6.

Realfan -- Philly in December? That smacks of an L.

The points is, and I think Matt illustrates it well, is that the way we are playing, the way AZ is playing, and the two schedules add up to a tough path to the playoffs.

i believe....

guys if there's one thing we all should know it's that you can't bet on anything in this league, for the most part. Carolina, Tennessee, both division winners last year with 12 and 13 wins respectively...are a combined 2-10 right now. Arizona looked horrid most of the year last year and then was able to do two things they hadn't done all year during their playoff run: play D and Run the ball.

The Niners may or may not win a lot of their upcoming games. The wheels might also fall off for Arizona too. That's what I love about the NFL. Sometimes things just click, good or bad, and a team goes on a tear. It could be that we get it together and win 7 of our last 10 games. There are really only a few teams on that list that you can say are SO good that you can pencil in a win for them.

The 49ers will need to win out at home which seems entirely possible, then they need to win a "surprise game" at either Green Bay, Philadelphia, or Indianapolis to make up for the loss at home to Atlanta and the loss at Houston. I have a feeling that loss at Minnesota may cost them in the end because that would have been an unexpected win.

If we win out at home, beat Seattle and St. Louis at their places, that's 7 more wins. 10-6 should end up being about where this division is this season unless Arizona just turns into an unstoppable juggernaut.

Hi Matt, I'm only looking at our next game. I'd like to see us to get back to the point where we play big time football. Remembering Joe and Steve behind center, they performed each week. You knew what you were getting as soon as they stepped on the field. Steve Young had a good take on KNBR saying that there are only five teams with organizational skill that win year and year out. I don't see us getting blown out this week. Matt can you give us your take on Balmer?

If the defense shows up this week like they did in Minnesota the 49ers will have a chance, I hope so, I paid a FORTUNE to get greats seats at Lucas Oil Stadium.

There's an irony I'm noticing. The unfounded optimism for this inept organization on the part of some really passionate fans sends a message to the organization that....

mediocrity is all we really need!

I'm hoping fans come to the realization this year that Nolan's firing was only the first in a few firings needed to turn this organization around. We need a proven GM, proven HC and OC. All we've got here organizationally is a good DC and STC.

Finally, we need a commitment to a strong passing attack. Singletary clearly isn't an offensive visionary; he's more conservative than Nolan was. And Raye is an absolute joke. To have any playoff optimism with this moron as our OC is to live in a fantasy world.

Terrible article today, its a long season and anything and everything will happen. What if Warner gets hurt, what if our passing game turns around, I mean there are so many things that could happen. You guys that predict wins and losses are waisting your time speculating. Have you ever heard of upsets? and "any given Sunday? Its only week 8, half way to go, have some faith faithful!

I said we'd go 9-7 and thought that was a realistic improvement for the 49ers. I stand by that.

I think there are some pretty interesting sub-plots that should make for an entertaining second half season. Those are:

1) The development of Crabtree into a star.
2) The maturation of Singletary as a head coach. He's pulled down his pants, called team huddles in the middle of the game, yanked quarterbacks, booted Vernon Davis off the field and pulled back from a smash-mouth offense into one that (presumbably under Alex) will be more balanced.
3) Alex Smith - the latest chapter. Talk is cheap and twice as cheap on the Internet. Let's see what happens on the field.

It's a long season. I don't think the 49ers will quit under Singletary and they are going to play hard.

Let's go!

The Cards remaining opponents have a combined 21-42 record while the 9ers face teams with a combined 27-34 record. The 9ers definitely have a tougher schedule but it's not impossible. The thing I like about the schedule is that if we go into the last weekend battling for a playoff spot, the 9ers face St. Louis while the Cards play Green Bay. Of course, we're on the road and their at home but I still like those matchups. Lets just hope Green Bay goes into the last game needing a win so they won't rest any starters.

Why dont you think we can beat CHI, GB, JKV and ARZ at home. Those teams are all in the same situation we are in. The Cards at home is a bonus and we play them better and match up with them better than anyone else in the league. Chicago again at home with no passing threat and a suspect defense, that's a win. Green Bay on the road but a poor offensive line, worse than ours and that is a winnable game. JKV, is brutal, Ive seen them play twice this year, their QB is awful. Thats 4 winnable games. Houston we should have won, but sometimes you lose games to get better and changing the passing attack philosophy may not show results against INDY, but it will against teams like I mentioned above.

While I agree with you on the OC I'm taking a wait and see approach with the other guys. One of my friends who watched the game said the announcers made a few comments about the 9er offensive formations. They said something like the formations were very basic and easy for DC's to prepare for. I didn't hear it but it's interesting if they did say it. Watching the game, I noticed DB's completely giving up space in the passing game because they knew the play was a run. This was on 1st and 2nd downs in 9er territory so it wasn't as if the defense was in some kind of goal line formation.

After Sunday we will know if this team wants it bad enough. To me the key is the OL. If they put an outstanding effort from here on out we will win.

53Nineres - Your scenario above has the Cards finishing 11-5 and the Niners finishing 10-6, that is not playoffs. remember AZ has 4 wins right now. We need a HUGE Carolina upset this weekend!!! After a big win Monday in New York AZ is due for a let down game, its their staple.

is anyone else having formatting problems with the blog. For some reason the ads leak into the comments for me.

....Singletary said a nice thing about Alex Smith today. "The thing that spoke volumes to me," Singletary said, "is that he had a chance to move on, go to another another team and make more money." Instead, Singletary said, Smith chose to stay in San Francisco and "finish what he started." "To me that speaks volumes as to who he is.".....

its issues with windows explorer......it looks better on firefox...

I see 10 wins for SF, but 12 for AZ. 10 wins isn't a sure playoff spot with NY, PHI, DAL and GB all vying for the same ticket. A playoff race will be fun though, eh?

Can't wait for a new post. Predictions are boring and pointless. It was a lot more fun giving TOP_CAT the needle. He was squirming pretty good there for awhile.

I just want to see improvement! I have watch this train wreck for the last six years. When they finish above .500 then I will think playoffs.

Our best hope is for Alex Smith to continue to do well. We need to have the QB situation settled for next year. If he isn't the man it will be another three years to have a good QB in charge. OF course we need to build a good offensive line so we are in a bit of a catch 22. Can any QB improve with this O Line? Then add some key people on the defnse.

Then I will start talking playoffs.

If the "O" starts pulling their share of the load very soon( that includes more aggressive playcalling), this team's got a good chance to make the playoffs. Hopefully, the "D" has their communication problems solved too.

Remember as poorly as they've played in the Atlanta game and the 1st half last week, they only lost in Minn. and Houston by 6 points total. Better play by the "O" in both those games could've meant a 5-1 record. Don't give AZ the division so soon, IMO I see a real nonpolitically correct dogfight to the end.

I predict, the 49er beat reporter Matt Maiocco, will provide another blog post about the team, sometime between now...and this Sunday's game. My inside sources told me, so take it to Vegas.

By the way, I'm stuffed after all this crow I've had (tastes like chicken by the way). Hoping I can have a 49ers win this Sunday for desert.

Looks to me comparing schedules that the Niners need to win out after a likely loss to Indy who's playing lights out right now. The optimist in me thinks we should have a decent shot at winning any of the remaining games but a 9 game winning streak seem a bit unrealistic mostly because of the weak O-line play. There is always the possibility of injuries being a factor. What do the cards do if they have to go to the back up QB, lose key linemen or WR's. Bottom line its a long season and anything can happen but that blown game in Minny and the no show 1st half in TX could prove to be our downfall.

We for sure need to surprise the Colts and come out with the same offense used on the last 2 scoring drives. They will then be ripe for picking by Gore.

Reality check people. Smith has played one half of good football. Hill kept us alive the last half of last year and the beginning of this year. Before it's over we need both of them.

"53Nineres - Your scenario above has the Cards finishing 11-5 and the Niners finishing 10-6, that is not playoffs."

Over the last 10 years 3 teams have gone 10-6 and missed the playoffs... all in the AFC

2007 Browns, 2005 Chiefs, 2003 Miami,

If would be fun to see the 49ers get a HUGE WIN at the Colts this weekend and see how the opinions will change on Monday. It will go from no playoffs to Super Bowl aspirations, too good!

After blowing the Vikings game I figured the Houston game was the make-or-break for playoffs hopes. Too bad they didn't show up in the first half. Realistically, they're just playing for 8+ wins now. Unrealistically, if they upset the Colts let's restart this conversation.

Niners O-line is going to be eaten alive this weekend. Little to no creativity in the play calling doesn't help. Let's hope for 2-3 TDs on defense and special teams.

..yea that was fun........hopefully he learns the lesson

In the immortal words of Jim Mora,

"Playoffs? Don't talk about playoffs. Are you kidding me? Playoffs? I'm just hoping we can win a game, another game."

I'd like MM or better yet Lynch or Kawakami to ask Singletary about their SB aspirations next Monday if they win against the Colts. We might have to pitch in for the hospital bills but it would be entertaining to see Sing's reaction.

HELL YEAH I BELIEVE!!!

Crazier things have happened =)

We for sure need a free agent guard next year and then draft for Tackle and Guard.

I agree with Skeebers. Predictions are indeed pointless. Analysis, on the other hand, can be interesting,

In the NFL, more games are "lost" than are "won". By that I mean teams make mistakes and lose more often than teams excelling and winning without the opponent making mistakes. This is the basis on which Singletary has approached this season given the (mediocre) talent level he has in the team.

Going into the season, to stand a good chance at making the playoffs, the Niners had to win all the games against the weaker teams (home or away), and be competitive against the better teams so that they could win one or two, probably at home. They could not count on Arizona and Seattle helping them to get into the playoffs.

So far into the season, they achieved the second objective and beat Arizona on the road. However, they also lost against a weaker team (Houston) which negated the Arizona win. (Atlanta is a better team than the Niners, and the blowout, while disappointing, is just an L in the big picture.)

So they are playing up to my expectations this season. I hope they are competitive against the Colts and if the defense plays well and keeps the game close, we could surprise them in the fourth quarter.

If we lose on Sunday, we have zero margin for error, and have to probably win 8 out of the 9 remaining games to assure ourselves of winning the division. That's unlikely, So if we lose, we will need help from Arizona. I'm hopeful that they will help.

The Colts game hinges not so much on our O Line (who WILL give up a few sacks) but on how Smith reacts under pressure, and whether the Niners can take advantage off Colts defensive ends over-pursuing into the backfield. Other teams have done that successfully in the past, including the Patriots.

The second factor will be the ability of Niners D line to pressure Manning so that they don't have to blitz. I fear that Manning may abuse our secondary once he starts reading the blitzes.

I really liked the way Singletary handled the team situation this week. On Monday, he brushed past the QB issue making the obvious adjustment without any delay and focused on the defensive shortcomings. The fix (Goldson getting the mike instead of Wills) came soon after. Hopefully, Goldson can deal with the added responsibility.

Meanwhile, the front office locked up Brown on a very reasonable contract extension. Little things like these are reassuring and a change from the Nolan era when the mid-season slide was characterized by inaction and staying the course.

Like Steve Young said, only 5 teams in te NFL have the organization to win year after year. Niners are not one of them, and changes and improvements are needed in the team, coaching staff and the front office. But I like the job Singletary and Marathe are doing. Trigger is still on the hot seat as far as I'm concerned.

I've been one of the biggest S.Hill supporters on here and I admit that DC's figured out the formula to shutting the offense down with him at QB. I'm still sportin my 13 jersey cuz Hill is the def of team player and someone who I'd want on my team if my QB went down.

That said.... I've prayed to God, Allah, Buddha and whoever else might listen to give Alex the confidence he needs to succeed. He's been labeled a bust many times throughout his young career but one thing you've never heard is that he's a prima donna 1st round pick who didn't put in the work.

He's fought tooth and nail and has experienced the high's (1st Round Draft Pick becoming the face of the franchise) and the low's (injured and then thrown under the bus, boo'ed by the fans, huge paycut, losing job to journeyman backup) all to only stay the course and try and finish what he started here.

When all is said and done I wish people look at the bigger picture here. He may succeed or he may fail going forward. But... In the end... he never gave up, never through in the towel, never placed blame on anyone but himself, never bad mouthed anyone to the media, took losing the job to Hill like a professional and studied extra hard along with Hill every game, has always been a true teammate, has taken all the blows throw his way like a man and now after all the dust has settled. Has earned another chance to lead this team to victory and make this once great franchise... Great Again!!!

With all the "Garbage" we see in Pro Sports today... breaking the law, making it rain with $$$, steroid use and so on. It's refreshing to see someone like Smith play for the love of the game and not get caught up in all the BS.

Kick some ASS Sunday Smith!!! GO NINERS!!!

Matt,

If you haven't already, head over to Sando's blog. That guy has way too much time on his hands...

He has a downloadable .xls speadsheet with all the personnel groupings the 9ers ran with Smith as well as the every single game so far with percentages, snaps per game, etc... It's actually quite detailed, and in pretty colors.

It's a nice addendum to your previous post

..just thinking...

If we draft 2 1st round players next yr - the org and fans would expect both players to be starting on the team, if not starting but contributing on a high level

below are positions which i don't necessarily think we are weak but could use improvements.....

...When i say improvement i mean having a player dominate the position every game

QB, DE, SS, KR/PR, OG....

..(SS) Lewis is cool, but i am worried about his health.....

(DE) ...sadly off my memory i can't even think of the name of our starting DE (i know Smith)

....(QB) obviously A.Smith is throwing the ball well and looks comfortable with talent........ but i am still concern about is ability to read defenses and adjust to what he sees (this is the different between a cutler and a manning).........this position is more of a wait and see

...KR/PR - should we spend a 1st round pick on this position

....OG - Who do we let go...Bass or ?

Positions that could elevate the team to a big time level
OLB, DT, RT

which of the current OLB will become a backup?

Is this the last we see of franklin (who is good but not great)? .....

...can rookies (NDAMUKONG SUH, DT, NEBRASKA , GERALD MCCOY, DT, OKLAHOMA, TERRENCE CODY, DT, ALABAMA ) be an upgrade to DT position...

I think we can all agree we are picking a RT in the first round next yr.....

53Niner - Understood, but your win/loss scenario has the Cards winning the West, which means you are hoping the Niners get a Wild Card birth. That will be very VERY tough:

Our loss to Atlanta will kill us as we compete with Atlanta, the 2nd and 3rd place team between Dallas, Eagles, Giants, and Green Bay/Chicago. In other words, we would need to have a better record than all of those teams (Atl, Chic/GB, Dallas, Giants, Eagles) to get the Wild Card birth and the only team we are even with in that bunch is Chicago, record-wise.

Good read on Smith
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/don_banks/10/29/smith/

Matt,

I still like your prediction. It will not be easy ehich makes it more fun. When they beat the Colts they will have the NFL buzzing!

Thanks for posting. Great article. The quote from Billick about Singletary that caught my eye was,

"Mike likes to anchor the offense around Gore, and that's Mike's persona right now,'' Billick said. "They spent a lot of time in the offseason and in camp saying, 'This is who we are. This is our mentality, and we have Frank Gore to run the ball with.' Do I think they'll change it? No. And I think they're going to lose because of it. In this day and age, more than ever in the league, you've got to have a quarterback."

It's rare for a former coach to be so direct about another coach. He's basically saying Sing is too hard-headed to adapt to his player's strengths and he's going to lose because of it. I really hope they turn Alex loose but I have to admit I'm not expecting it. I guess we shall see if Billick is right on Sunday.

Singletary needed the public call-out. His inability to recognize, before he almost ran the season into the ground, that the NFL is a QB league is why I've been on his case all season. This is the NFL. It is a PASSING LEAGUE..

Which means you must have a QB who can actually pass. He doesn't have to be great. He can be an average QB with a solid arm. Because even if you're not relying on him to be Peyton Manning, defenses must be forced to respect the intermediate and deep routes. If they aren't, they can compress the defense against the offense and make it very, very difficult to run or pass.

We're cool.

Not impressed with the Eagles. I've watched 3 of their games this year. They are not a top 15 team right now.

t.y and ABSOLUTY 100% right on Eagles saw them beat BEATEN physically dominated by Oakland. Key to beating Philly is pressure McNabb. He has lost a step or 2.. GREAT ARM STILL but cannot avoid the blitz so much.. That and Westbrook is out maybe with concussion makes Eagles game a possible win for 49ers..

How come Willis isn't blitzed more????