Quote:
Originally Posted by GarySL
Respectable win in NO, always a tough W in the Superdome.
|
The Niners came out of the gate looking good. 2 rushing TDs in the 1st quarter, after NOT scoring a rushing TD in the past 5 games. Led 14-3 at the end of the 1st quarter. 2nd quarter was a push w/1 TD for each team with the score 21-10 at the 1/2.
Niners had a chance to get at least another field goal before the 1/2 but Kap failed to realize that there was a full double safety blitz in play on the Niner 44 w/1 min to play and was stripped of the ball. The only thing that prevented the Saints from scoring a TD to close the score to 21-17 was an interception by Culliver.
The Niners came out flat in the 2nd 1/2 and didn't score a TD in the 2nd or 3rd quarter due in part to a number of dropped passes, another drive stopping sack and apparently giving up on the rushing game which got them the 1st 2 TDs of the game. In the meantime, the Saints came back to score 2 TDs to take the lead 24-23 w/only 1:46 left in regulation. Looked like the Niners were in deep doo-doo again.
After 3 incomplete passes, Kap was able to do what he does well (one of the few things he does well) and completed a desperation 4th down pass to Crabtree for a 51 yard completion around the Saints' 27 yard line.
After 3 MORE incomplete passes, the Niners finally settled for a 4th down FG to tie the game. Why they didn't go for a 4th down field goal against Rams last week is still a puzzle. In any event, the Niners still almost a lost the game when Brees completed a Hail Mary Pass to Graham for a TD w/only 4 secs remaining in regulation, which was negated when a penalty was called against Graham for pushing off. Game ends tied 24-24 and goes to OT.
In OT both teams were forced to punt on their initial possessions. So, the game went to sudden death on the Saints 2nd possession. But, the Niners defense was able to sack Brees and recover a fumble on the Saints 15, which Dawson was able to knuckleball through the uprights for a FG. Niners win UGLY 27-24.
Although the Niners offense looked good at the start of the 1st half, the offense virtually disappeared (as it has so often this season) in the 2nd 1/2.
The DEFENSE won this game for the Niners with the end zone interception at the end of the 1st 1/2 and the game winning fumble recovery in OT. After scoring 2 quick rushing TDs in this game, the Niners seemed to abandon the rush and return to the pass with very poor results, which resulted in too many drops and punts. There were also too many sacks -- 4 of them -- on Kap, which still indicates a problem w/the offensive line.
So, although the win is welcome, it does NOT mean that the Niners' problems are solved but it does take some pressure off of the team for the time being. Winning this game also improves the possibility of the team going 10-6 and maybe -- just maybe -- making it to the playoffs, especially if they can win the next 2 games against the Giants and Redskins, to go 7-4 before they have to meet Seattle at home on TG.
Let's hope they can continue winning until then. GO NINERS!!!