Posted on 01/14/2012 1:52:51 PM PST by Sick of Lefties
Just for the record, the San Francisco 49ers will defeat the New Orleans Saints today.
The stats and hype indicate a Saints win by a score of 49-28 or some such blowout. Forget the stats; ignore the hype.
Good defense beats good offense as surely as good pitching beats good hitting. The 49ers have great defense; the Saints, great offense. The same principle applies.
San Francisco's special teams are a game changer. The 49ers can score by reaching the other team's 40 yard line because the field goal kicker is long-distance machine. They keep the other team pinned deep in its own territory because the punter is lights out. They've got a kick returner who can take it to the house.
In a normal 49er game, the Saints would be able to roll up 350 yards without entering the red zone. And, if they do, they'll discover that the 49er defense steps it up a notch.
On offense, the 49ers have the inconvenient truth, a pair of dangerous receivers, and an intelligent quarterback who reminds Noman of Bob Griese. Nothing too flashy; just a guy in command of a great team.
The Saints bombard the opposition with deep passes. The 49ers force lots of interceptions and turnovers.
Finally, even though New Orleans is a great city, San Francisco is a greater one.
Enough said. 49ers 29 - Saints 23. Noman wants to say 49ers 19 - Saints 13, but doesn't have the nerve.
In the day's other game, all Noman can say with certainty is that the Broncos will have more people around the globe praying for them than any other team in the history of sports.
The only team I’ve ever rooted for in a game because of the Christian courage of their players was the NY Giants team that had the champions for life. And, that was after they ruined the 49ers dream of a threepeat.
There are probably no more actual saints on the Saints than on the 49ers.
Hollywood Henderson, baby.
I would call that not just courting disappointment, but stalking it!
True and also very funny!
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine, I'm fine, let me back out there. I see three fingers. Oh, five? Close enough."
I grew up with the opposite genome: born and raised in SF, and hating the Dodgers and Rams with a passion.
I got over it mostly in 1981 when the Yankees played the Dodgers in the World Series. The Yankee fans in my office were so obnoxious that I flew down to LA for Game 3. Valenzuela was on the mound, and it was do or die.
The Dodgers did that day and for the series. The Yankee fans’ gloom was worth giving up my animosities for.
They’ll come back if the Giants and Dodgers are in another pennant race.
Brees looks very uncomfortable. He’s had lots of time and hasn’t been able to find receivers.
The last series, he didn’t even have time.
The story of the game so far besides defenses generally, and the 49ers secondary particularly, are the guys who didn’t show up on offense today: Sproles (who is smarting in pain from the hits), and Crabtreee.
I take it back. Sproles woke up just in time. Hats off to him.
Go 49ers.
I guess they heard you!
It's nice to have a weekend break from politics, where 99.9% of the news is depressing.
OK. So I was wrong... about the score!
But, I was looking prescient until the final minute-plus.
Quite a game. Thank you Alex and Vernon.
The Saints were excellent. They have great heart, and skill. Condolences to the fans.
The Niners will lose next week on the road in Green Bay. But, they made their point.
Sorry, the Cheeseheads will beb watching the Superbowl from the comforts of their own homes. The Niners will prevail over the VaGiants!!
That was indeed a late Christmas-Epiphany present for 49er fans.
I’m conflicted because of the history of these two teams. Games between them are usually heart-stoppers. And, the Giants are very good in this role.
But, the 49ers chances at home are better than 50%. They would have been much lower on the road. I’m giving it a good think.
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