It would be nice to see Alex prove his mettle against Aaron in GB Matt.

With Crabtree catching on and Morgan remaining active with Jason Hill, timing should improve.

Can't complain about being 3-0 in the Division either, anyhting can happen if we catch a little luck and momentum going into December.

QB Rating this season.... Shaun Hill 79.6 Alex Smith 79.5 (including 3 TDs vs. Houston's Prevent Defense.) Nate Davis ???

With all due respect to the 49ers, the team that I love, and to Mike Singletary, I must bow to the words of Jim Mora which are very relevant to the current playoff situation of the San Francisco 49ers.

PLAYOFFS?

Thank you for mentioning the word "momentum". I've been searching for the word for what SF is missing. The Niners have not been able to establish any momentum (except negatively). They have a nice drive and the D gives up one. They get a turnover and the O goes 3 and out. The Bear game was the most discouraging win I've ever watched. They should finish the season at nine wins, but they won't if they can't overcome this trend.

Green Bay's offensive line makes ours look GOOD.

Matt,
Thanks for the breakdown.
Looking at the possible outcomes I would expect two of Eagles, Falcons, Packers to finish 10-6 or better. One of the three 11-5. If we play well enough to go 10-6 it is likely our loss would be to Eagles or Packers and thus most likely there will be two teams with a tie break over us. So we would be just outside the WC.
If we win the next 7 straight to go 11-5 we will the division.
I just cant see us making the play-offs through the WC.
Id back us to go 9-7 at maybe 2-1 odds. Its evens we go 8-8.

You want to talk about playcalling and being conservative? How bout the Pats and the boneheaded call on 4th and 2 at your own 25 yard line. Bill, you just gave the game to the Colts. I can't believe that call!

Most of those teams we are going to play are improving. The SeaHawks are definitely improving on a weekly basis along with the Rams. We play both the SeaHawks and Rams away. Those are not gimme games anymore, especially the SeaHawks.

I still think 8-8 is a more realistic goal, especially with our tattered O Line.

I don't want to read or hear the word "Playoffs" until the 49ers start a winning streak because we all know they're very good at losing streaks the last several years. Just 1 game at a time baby!

Love the Jim Mora quote.

Our playoffs aspirations went out when we lost four games in a row. We needed to take 2 or those games. If we are to make playoffs we need to win out. Maybe loose one but that is it. This team/QB needs to come together like Brady did when he stepped in for Bledsoe.

Well, just to give you the other side - Belichick was thinking that the Pats win the game with a first down. The Colts would get the ball back with 20 seconds or less after a Pat 1st down and three running plays. He probably also was thinking the Colts would get the ball to the Pats 30 yard line anyway so their defense has about the same shot as they would have with a punt. You saw how easily the Colts scored - Peyton was worried about scoring too quickly.
Also, as someone else said, even Belichick punts with Alex Smith at QB.

Matt, question: with what you've seen at practice and TC do you think the Niners are playing their best receivers with Crabtree? Don't J.Hill and Jones have better hands as well as more speed than Morgan???
By the numbers, the Niners stand a chance to make the playoffs but the "play not to lose" offense won't let them. The only reason the running game looks a little better lately is they've opened up the passing game a little with Smith. This O-line is too weak right now to finish the game using the running game only and maybe using their horizontal passing game with it.
The other thing they don't have to play that conservative style is a stud pass rusher who can regularly get sacks and pressure against the other teams 2 min. offense just like J. Smith did against Warner. The Niner's prevent defense is not very good without one.

I dont care if you have Montana, Marino, and Favre all wrapped into one, you punt it. Why? Punting the ball gives your defense a fighting chance. Your logic bout getting the ball back to the Pats 30 yrd line makes no sense. Making them drive 60 yards as opposed to 25 makes no sense. Can you imagine how you explain that call to your defense. "Guys I thought we could make the first down, insted, its on you now to hold the best QB in the game, who runs the 2 minute drill better than anyone on the planet, go out there and do your best. Cmon man!!

I bet Alex Smith can't even get us a Wild Card spot.

LMFAO @ oneniner - when Aelx Smith leaves SF, please go with him.

We really need to see Nate Davis on the field. Let's get him into a game when we've either already won or lost and see what he can do "live".

For those who like statistics, here's a breakdown of Belichick's 4th down call. Interesting

http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/16/defending-belichicks-fourth-down-decision/

I was NOT aware that Rogers had been sacked 40 TIMES this season! WTF?!

Niners better take advantage. Niners need to ignite that strong second half finish a la last season right abooouuut....NOW!

Ugh. Please, just do us a favor and go root for the Raiders. Your ignorance is beyond evident.

So you would have punted just like everyone else? OK. But how often does Brady make 4th and 2? 50%? How often do the Colts make a touchdown anyway after the Pats punt on 4th down? How much less is that than the amount they score a touchdown from the 30? Remember, time is not a factor. It's not as black and white as everyone says it is. I am sure Belichick (being one of the smarter coaches in the league) has thought about these probabilities.

One thing I like about Belichick's decision is that he is trying to win the game and he is willing to take some coaching risks to make that happen . Contrast that with Raye's style - don't do anything that might turn against you. Run 3 times and don't even attempt a pass against the Vikings.

Very interesting. It's even more black and white -- the other way. According to the stats Belichick did the right thing.

This reminds me of how much I hated when the 49ers played Bill Parcells' Giant teams. The Niners would stop the Giants on third down and just at an important time Parcell's would decide to go for it and more often than not they would make it. His decisions changed the outcome of a few games and eventually changed the way other coaches in the league approached 4th down.

I get the calculated risk, however, you also have to consider field position. 4th and 2 from your own 25 is alot different than 4th and 2 at the 50 or inside your opponents 45. TT, time is the utmost factor as the Colts had no timeouts left (I think maybe one) Stiil driving 60-70 yards down the field with no timeouts left as opposed to 25 yards within the redzone, are you serious? As far as Raye goes, the 49ers are banking on their defense to close out games, is it right, not sure but when you have the best punter in the league and one of the best defenses, you cant second guess that formula.

Belichicks decision was RIGHT ON, that is why the man has 3 Rings as a head coach and several as an assistant. He believes in WINNING THE GAME and not trying not to lose! If the 49ers want to make the playoffs this weekend is a MUST WIN, lose this one and it's all over.

I had not thought of the WC possibility. But I can't really go there (playoffs) until I see something that I have not seen at all this season from my team. Something resembling an NFL offense. Until then, the post season is a pipe dream.

First of all, the Colts had two time outs and the two minute warning if the Pats had punted. For some offenses that presents a time problem, but not for the Colts.

I see what you saying (many others are saying the same thing) about Belichick. That was my first reaction last night too. Then once I started thinking about it, Belichick's decision made more sense. I am not surprised that statistics back Belichick up.

As far as Raye goes, I strongly disagree. Hill had just driven the Niners for the go ahead touchdown and Hill doesn't throw many picks. The Niners should have gone for the 1st down and the win against the Vikes.

I dont know if the Dallas O wasnt playing up to par, but that Packer D looks really good getting to the QB. The 49ers are going to have to win the trenches in this one

While it's mathematically possible for Niners to get a WC berth, it's improbable that they will win 6 out of the remaining 7 games, or even 5. given how ineptly the offense is playing.

While Raye is trying to modify the offensive game plan to suit Smith's style, the inconsistent play by Smith, the O line, and the young receivers ensures an inefficient offense that cannot score 3 touchdowns in every game.

Niners could win against the Packers and then lose at Seattle. There's only so much the defense can do.

Like most most of the fans here, I predict a 9-7 record at best. Maybe that can get us a WC spot if the Eagles, Giants and Falcons falter further.

First off you never for 4th&1 or inches if your on the opposing side of the field unless your behind with limited time left depending on what the score is.

Final will be score 7-6, 49ers.

In sacks.

last game against the bears helped our Int stats....this game against the packers should help our stats in sacks....

last game against the bears helped our Int stats....this game against the packers should help our stats in sacks....

Belichicks decision to go for it on 4th and 2 = DUMB

i won't even do it in madden ....

Our opponents are still focusing on Gore. He did better from the gun, but they know that with Smith throwing, he is only going short and medium passes - easier to defend. It would be nice to have a vertical threat other than Vernon Davis. The line needs to give Smith the extra 1 - 2 seconds to go deep at least 4 times a game to take the other team's defense playing short away. Many will blame Smith, but it comes down to the line play. They are inconsistent and the injuries didn't help although they are playing hard. Making the playoffs would be great, but they won't last long if they do (unless they can put it all together in 6 more weeks which is not likely).

If Belichick was going to go on 4th down, he should have also told his D to get out of the way and let Indy score quickly once the 4th down play failed. That way Brady would have had a couple of minutes to get into field goal range.

I still would have punted. The man showed no faith in his D. This could have bad ramifications for New England the rest of the way.

Your right, Belichick is a great coach. However, he has 3 rings because of Tom Brady. Look at his record prior to Brady becoming the starter. Also, Brady only became the starter when Bledsoe was injured. There was no brilliant coaching decision to promote Brady over Bledsoe.

Belichick's genius got in the way of common sense last night. There is NO WAY he should have gone for it in that situation. There are gutsy calls and then there's stupidity. That move was plain and simple Mike Martz stupid. If Nolan or Singletary ever made a decision like that people on this blog would have been calling for their heads. It was asinine and there are no 2 ways about it.

When ever those words are stated, playoffs and 49ers, they go in the tank and finish below .500. The 49ers have a lot of work to do before thay could be considered a playoff team. Th o-line has been horrific for years and is only slightly better this year than in the past, they don't contol the the line enough to be a GOOD team, their rookie coach/play calling have already cost them and Alex Smith hasn't been exactly great. NO playoffs for 49ers this year.

I have to agree. Everyone in the room watching was dumbfounded. Happy, because we were rooting for the Colts, but shocked nonetheless. I do appreciate coaches who are not afraid to go for it. But there is a time and a position to do so. That was not it.

As for how good a coach BB really is, I'll also extend some credit for his SB rings to Brady. Brady is a great QB. Period. And watching the game last night I couldn't help but get some serious QB envy watching those teams. Maybe Belichick's greatest attribute is acquiring good personnel. The Pats seem to be consistent in that regard.

Hey cookie monster. Do us a favor and quit sharing those "SPECIAL" cookies with oneniner. You guys need rehab. Playoffs are a pipedream for my Niners. signed... THE REALIST.

Hey cookie monster. Do us a favor and quit sharing those "SPECIAL" cookies with oneniner. You guys need rehab. Playoffs are a pipedream for my Niners. signed... THE REALIST.

Houston 9er,
If the Patriots punted the ball, Do you think they would have won the game??? I personally think they would have lost regardless. Belichick plays to his teams strengths, that is why he has 3 rings, not just the QB although he is great.

I think the Patriots had a much better shot at defending a 70 yard field rather than a 30 yard field. The Pats forced the Colts to punt 7 times and they had 2 int's. So yes my feeling is that the Pats win if they punt. There was too much on the line to go for it in that situation. Essentially Belichick gave that game away and may have given away home field advantage in the playoffs with that boneheaded decision.

You can call it a gutsy call. I call it stupid. Even if it worked, it defies common football sense to go for it in that situation.

I don't think things are as bad on the offensive side of the ball as we may be lead to believe. First, we're still essentially seeing rust on a QB that was mothballed for nearly two full years and operating on a short week of preparation to boot. Second, the fact that he bounced back from a bad outing against Tennessee without any real glaring mistakes and managed the game well enough to win gives me some belief that he is maturing and makes me less worried that he cant get it done.

Ultimately, I think the best we can hope for this year out of Smith is for him to learn how to play Shaun Hill-football and sprinkle in 5-8 plays that Hill's skill set wouldn't allow him to do. With a defense that can produce turnovers and scoring opportunities, that's really all they need. Furthermore, just keeping a defense honest by having at least the threat of a deep pass, really frees things up for the running game.

The o-line truly needs help. They weren't blowing peoples' minds to begin with but with a couple of injuries things are really tough out there. It will be interesting to see how that will be addressed in the offseason. I just wish there was something more they could do right now. I think if two of those positions were even moderately improved, this could be a fun team to watch.

What's with the multiple repeated posts?

#1--I think Belichick and the Pats will be fine.
#2--The line about Belichick having 3 rings due to Brady? I think it the other way around. Brady was a 6-round choce, under another HC he could easily have been cut in two seasons. Belichick recognized and developed his value.
#3--I got real interested in the S'hawk/Card game when I saw the early score of 14/0. !st time I can remember cheering for the S'hawks.
#4--9ers and play-offs? Even if improbable, why not cheer it on? It's a whole lot better than giving up on a season with 7 games left to play.

"each all of their remaining seven games is winnable"

When this season schedule first came out I marked Colts, Packers and Eagles games as definite losses while I had Vikings, Texans and Titans as wins. Hopefully I had it completely backwards but you are a lot more optimistic than I am Matt.

Why is everyone talking Bilicheat and Colts v Pats???

This is a 49er blog!!!

As for the 49ers playoff chances:

Winning the division is very improbable at this point... Arizona has 6 wins and they get to play STL twice and DET... the division is as good as gone unless they lose 3 of 4 against TEN, MINN, GB, and SF... and even in that scenario the 9ers have to win 10 games including the ARI game.

I think that the wild card is definitely still a possibility and I said so way back when...
http://blog.pressdemocrat.com/49ers/2009/10/my-49ers-forecast-is-open-to-second-guessing.html

If the 9ers win out at home, and beat the Lambs and Seagirls on the road that will give them 9 wins... then if they pull off the W at GB or Philly that is playoffs at 10-6.

I know I'm being optimistic, it can happen though. The TEN loss really hurt my predictions but I still believe.

The pats have "3" rings because of the tuck rule and other bad officiating. Pats created the tuck rule and also 2 years later their win over the colts led to stricter enforcement of the pass Interference, illegal contact and DEF holding rules. This happened after it was deemed the colts complaints in their loss were valid. They should have at most 2. Some video tapes might also have played a part. After all I am sure last minute field goal wins were only possible from the cheating they did in "preperation" for those games.

Also the argument Brady was only a 6th round pick so Belichick gets credit for recognizing him and playing him holds no water. The Pats supposedly hemmed and hawed on whether to draft Rattay or Brady. Sounds like more of a luck pick than an educated one. Belicheck also had Brady as the #3 QB in 2000 and Brady did not get promoted to #2 because Belicheck saw his "Skills" but because Friesz was cut to save almost $3 million in 2001 dollars against the NE cap.

In week three of Brady's season 2 brady got his first start because Bledsoe got IR'd with a major injury in week 2. There is your "Great vision" by Belicheck.

do you even read Matt's blog? did you see when he said nate's most practice time is playing DB? you have no concept of football or even close to it. and rooting for alex to fail is about as classless as you can get. which leads to me ask what kind of 49er fan are you?? must be one of those pretender cowgirl fans. go post for them

Hear, hear. Shouldn't comments be somehow related to the post in question? I appreciate your sentiment though, with the games remaining there's a lot of reason to be optimistic. As we all know, anything can happen in this NFL.

The scout who found Brady had to beg Belichick and Pioli to draft him. Then he only played after Bledsoe went down with an injury. It was more fortuitous than shrewd. BB is a great defensive coach but he only achieved real success as a head coach after he lucked into Brady.

On the 9ers playoff chances... The 9ers do have a shot at the playoffs. That shot will be shot if they don't beat the Packers though. The 9ers can definitely win that game but they can also easily lose it. I don't know if this qualifies as a GPS game but it qualifies as a Must Win as far as I can tell.

GLT, Though I agree with your statement that we need to support our current starting QB, I seem to recall several posters that did nothing less when Hill was our QB and as I recall you never called them out back then....

Division might still be the way to get in the play-offs. The Arizona monday night game at home is a must win. In addition I believe the Niners should win home games against Jacksonville and Detroit, and Road games at St. Louis, and Seattle. This will put the Niners at 10-6.

Here is Arizona schedule the rest of the way: @ StL, @ Ten, Min, @SF, @Det, StL, GB. We need to root for Arizona to lose two additional games in addition to the Niner game. I can easily see them losing two out of either the Ten, Min, and GB games. If that happens, the Niners tie Arizona at 10-6 and win the tie-breaker based on the the two head to head wins.

Of course, this scenario is based on the Niners beating Arizona at home. Lose to Arizona and the division is almost certainly gone.

As for the wild card, the Niners almost certainly will have to win either the Green Bay or the Philadelphia game on the road. If they lose both these games they would have head to head losses against three different teams fighting for the wild card. Pretty tough to advance in that case.

Of course, to have any hope, the O-Line needs to start protecting Alex Smith a lot better. If the O-Line continues to play the way they did last Thursday, we can forget the play-offs. The Niners won last Thursday because Cutler apparently thought he was Santa Claus bearing gifts. the QBs the Niners face the rest of the way will probably not be bubbling over with the holiday spirit like Cutler was last thursday.

For the record here are the season long TDs, ints and rating for the QB's the Niners will face the rest of the way: Rodgers (17/5/101.8), Garrard (7/5/83.5), Hasselbeck (11/6/82.2), Warner(18/11/91.5), Mcnabb (12/4/95.1), Stafford(6/12/59.5), Bulger (5/5/73).

Dear Pot,

How dare you call the kettle black.

Good day sir.

I can't believe guys are arguing over the Patriot/Colts game, and then Belichick?? I thought this was the 49er Blog by Matt? Who gives a *^#$ about them? What do they have to do with the 49ers playoff chances?? Give me a break!
For 49er fans on the Blog...one commenter (who isn't fighting about Belichick) writes that when the D holds then the O goes 3 and out! Then the O gets going and then the D fizzles! This is definetely a problem that has to be dealt with. And it seems that it's rooted in a coaching problem. What's with the let downs or is it the play calling on both sides?
I think too conservative is the problem on both sides of the line of scrimmage. The O is too busy looking at eating clock up (that's what they mean by managing the game,) and the D gets way too passive with the play calling when the team gets the lead!
Sounds like a very confusing and deadly problem that's developed here. And it works on the players minds, also!

With BOTH the Cardinals and the 49ers, who in their right mind can pick what games the teams will win and lose!? And then say what the records will be!? LOL!!!
ANYBODY can beat ANYBODY, ANYWHERE!

Playoffs? Playoffs?

We have to beat Green Bay, a much better team despite being "just" 5-4. Philly is schizophrenic, but they're probably much better, at least most Sundays, too.

We beat Seattle with a fluke, record-tying day by Gore due to two blown run-blitzes by the Seahawk defense. Otherwise it would have been a pair of field goals and a loss. And this time we're at their house, not ours.
I don't think it's quite the push-over that many others believe.

Then we have the Cards who weren't functioning on offense and yet were still one dropped INT from winning the game. Now they're firing on all cylinders.

So, I'm looking at four games that we'd be hard-pressed to split and, frankly, I suspect we'll lose.

Of the "more winnable" games are the Jags, another incomplete team, who are our equivalents to beat. I'm think it's a 50-50 chance of a victory there. That leaves us with the Lions and the Rams, as the only two "will probably beat them" patsies on our schedule.

The bottom-line is the season is playing out pretty much like I thought. The 49ers, mainly through Singletary's inability to hire a quality OC and his lack of vision or risk taking, was going to sabotage the team through foolish personnel choices. Which is why, at the beginning of the year. I picked the 49ers to go 6-10 (or worse) in my annual prognostication bet with my Cowboy friend (he picked Cowboys 12-4 + divisional playoff win).

Nothing I've seen this season has lead me to believe my assessment was incorrect. Singletary cut Rossum, we lost a game in great part due to Battle's muffed punt. That's one loss that should have been a victory.

He started Shaun Hill, despite Hill being a talentless-hack who was a product of a fortuitously soft-schedule at the end of last year. Better to have started Smith so by the time mid-season was going along, he'd be rounding into shape instead of working on crap like "feel" and "timing."

And, of courses, the bizarre benching of Jason Hill while starting the completely-over-the-hill Bruce who played like crap, except for maybe three games, last year and should have been cut this year. This lack of vision has hampered the growth of the young, fresh WRs and further hampered the offense.

And, of course, we've had constant screwing with the o-line. Singletary may not understand, but it takes YEARS for lines to jell and get good. You can't constantly shift line-ups and get a good line. You just keep making a mess.

The bottom line is, until he proves otherwise, Singletary is another Nolan. Maybe different in some particulars, but lacking (even more than Nolan) in the vision necessary to build a winning football team.

Well, as the 49ers are currently a LOSING team (and one who has lost to mediocre teams), I think it's a bit silly to talk about playoffs, but here goes. Pretty simple really. To have a chance, they must win their next three games. Then they can afford to lose against the Cards, and then they must win their last three games. Other than a complete Cards collapse, they need 10 wins. So, we shall see on Sunday and then the next and the next. I'm still waiting for an "A game" from Alex Smith to prove he belongs with the big boys. If he doesn't do it this Sunday, I hate to say this, but I would as soon start losing so that we can start the cycle of another coach and QB. My "fear" for the team's future? Tha the Rams and the Seahawks get the two top QBs in the draft and then rule for the next ten years. Wouldn't be pretty. Actually my biggest fear is the distinct possibility that the 49ers would turn into the Warriors of the NFL.

Thanks for the memories Observer! Jim Mora' post game quotes were legendary. If I recall, his post game comments came after a blow-out loss to the Niners; funny how things have turned full circle.
With Arizona coming on its going to be a tough challenge for the Niners to knock them off the top. A 500 season is still within reach and is the only record (IMO) that would warrant a successful campaign.

I'm sitting here watching the first half of the Browns/Ravens game. Man! The Browns look similar to the 49ers, especially Brady Quinn! He looks like a combo of Smith and Hill with his passing! The O play calling looks like Raye's! Mismanagement of the game looks familiar. The total confusion at times is familiar! Same kind of O line!
EVERYTHING depends on the D just like the 49ers! One mistake and it seems like it'll be over!
Jaws and Gruden are grasping to make the Browns seem like they're on the cusp of a good team! LOL!
I can't watch it anymore! Gives me the chills!

We can go to the playoffs. Why? Because we have a defense. With the exception of Atlanta our defense has played admirably. Our offense will come along. Last week was a short week and we played conservatively. But a lot of teams scored more, and still lost this week. We won. In the game against the Titans, Alex had some bad turnovers but he did throw for 286 yards. We just need a complete effort from the whole team. You guys got on oneniner, calling him a traitor and worse. You guys are bashing the team worst than he ever did! Have some faith, stranger things have happened in sports.

For those of you who missed it, Matt tweeted about Belichick. It was at the top-left of the blog when it first came out.

Making the playoffs is a long shot that borders on fantasy. And, unfortunately, if they do make the playoffs we'll be stuck with the same management( I use the term loosely) that we have now.
The best bet, for the realistic long term success of the team, is to win and lose all the games they should, get the team's correct place in the draft, fire McCloughan, Singletary, and any one else who"s responsible for the mediocrity we call the 49ers, and begin to rebuild using the few good players that are currently on the roster. Maybe two thirds of this roster could be on a superior team.
The offense is composed of too many weak or marginal starters on the OL and QB, and no depth at RB. The defense has no impact pass rusher and the DB's are in a constant state of change. There is no one returning punts or kickoffs. The head coach has a big mouth, has no pryor head coaching experience and has never been a coordinator. The offensive coordinator is the only guy that would work for the head coach, and the GM has been head of personnel for five years, and is still learning that a GM is supposrd to be in charge and make sure he has the personnel and staff to get it done.
Playoffs?

Hi Matt, Playoffs? It's nice to have some meaningful games in late Nov and Dec. However, I am happy seeing some progress because after the Nolan debacle there seems to be a light at the end of tunnel. We don't need help everywhere, a few pieces (OL, pass rusher) and we are competitive then we can seriously talk playoffs.

IF we can beat GB, we'd be 5-5, with a little momentum. We'd have about as much chance as the 4 other teams. So, maybe a 40% chance. If not, we're 4-6, and chances drop below 4%.

DOUBTERS... have some faith in your team

wow. these comments are just shameful. have all of you forgotten that this is essentially a brand new team? early this season we shut down the division and lost at the last second to a top notch minnesota team. sure we got rocked by the falcons, but bad games do happen. alex smith was inserted in (which was and still is a great decision) and nearly pulled off a miracle comeback in houston. we manhandled the colts and completely confused the best QB/coach in the league. we lost that game via trick play. the titans are an extremely solid team, actually the same team that went 13-3 last season. we played them right when they caught fire. finally we just won a solid nationally televised game. our defense is one of the best and in my opinion is a great young defense that will only get better. alex smith is becoming the great qb i always thought he could be. sure hes thrown int's, but almost all have come off awkwardly tipped passes. watch the highlights if you dont believe me. i blame that on our young receivers adjusting the strength of alex's arm compared to shaun's. trust me, our team is coming on at the perfect time! have alittle faith my fellow faithfuls! arizona is unpredictable, we still have a great chance to take the division.(arizona was rocked by the panthers a couple weeks ago and the colts hammered them) its going to be tough but i see great things ahead :)

It's true we're within reach...but I question whether the Niners can play well enough to get there. You say all seven games are winnable...maybe, a big maybe. Beating GB Sunday will be very tough...their defense just throttled the Cowboys, who happen to have a much better offense than SF. Three other games will also be tough: 'Zona, Philly and the Jags. Cards' offense is better now than last year due to their steadily improving ground game. Beating Philly on the road will be very difficult. They have a bad taste in their mouths regarding West Coast teams, having lost in Oakland (of all things) and SD. The Jags are playing well now...they've got a balanced offense. Even the Seattle game may not be easy, because it's in their house, a tough place for any visiting team. So, is it possible to get a wild card berth...yes. Probable...I'd say no. Not with our offense being so predictable and conservative...it could happen, but if I were a betting man, I wouldn't count on it.

Enough with the gloom and doom evaluations of our roster, chances, and management. If you can't appreciate the fact that we are in contention for a playoff spot after nine games of a season, then your expectations of the Niners are and have been unrealistic and ridiculous. We could be 2-7 and gone, like the last two years. In the past seven years, we've only been in contention this late in the season once, and the QB then was ... Alex Smith, 2006. Louie, you should quit posting. Your clueless efforts are embarrassing. If we get to the playoffs, you'll be disappointed because it means we'll keep the same management that got us there? Seriously, is there any connection between your brain and the keyboard?

Why should be bother to focus on the playoffs if we know we can't win consistently? Sure a playoff appearance would be nice, but I think it would be more beneficial to fix our O-line and secondary issues. What's the point of getting so excited about the playoffs if we know we won't go far in them? Let's not settle for that.

I am so excited about our young WR's, RB's, TE's, if Alex Smith begins to click, we'll just need to fix our O-line, we really don't have that many more holes to fill.

Our defense is also VERY close to being an elite one, fix up that secondary and if we had a Justin Smith-type OLB pressuring the QB we'd be golden.

I say let's focus on the long-term instead of getting into the playoffs with a team that would not get deep into it.

I think the only benefit to going to the playoffs this year is to create a positive frame of mind for the players and would help their motivation for the following year, though I think that can be achieved if we get on a roll and finish 10-6 as well.

Does anyone know if the Niners practiced yesterday?

No they didnt practice. Today was their first day back. They usually have tuesday off but because of the Thursday game they get back a day early.

Courtesy of MM's tweet.

Matt I have a question.

Why don't teams (Especially young ones with new players and coaches) take the advantage of an extra day of preparation by coming in Tuesday's even for a walk through or half day or study session or something? It would seem the extra day could make a difference in planning for the next week.

Is there an NFL rule against this?