Do Not Count Out the San Francisco 49ers Yet
Four weeks into the NFL season and who would have thought the San Francisco 49ers, the NFC Champions would be 2-2 on the season. Regardless of their record, the 49ers are as focused as ever and still very much in the playoff race.
The Seattle Seahawks lead the NFC West with a 4-0 record but the 49ers are just two games back and tied with the Arizona Cardinals, after defeating NFC West rivals the St. Louis Rams last Thursday 35-11.
Seattle nearly lost their first game of the season, but rallied from 14 points down during the fourth quarter to tie the score and send it to overtime where they won it on a field goal.
The 49ers will have to host the Texans this Sunday. San Francisco will be going into the game with 10 days of rest, while the Houston will still have thoughts in their minds of blowing a two-touchdown lead to Seattle.
With 12 games remaining on the regular season schedule, the 49ers do not have to be too concerned yet. Only three of their remaining opponents Seattle, Tennessee and New Orleans currently hold winning records.
The Titans might be 3-1, but lost their starting quarterback Jake Locker and less than three weeks the 49ers will most likely face former Buffalo Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick when they play the Titans.
The only negative still hanging over the heads of the 49ers, besides nagging injuries, is Aldon Smith their pass rusher. He currently is in rehab for alcohol abuse at the tender age of 24.
He entered after being arrested for drunken driving, the second time he has been charged over the past two years. He will most likely be out for at least the next month.
For the 49ers, the top offensive player for the first four games had been Frank Gore He had 20 carries last Thursday for 153 yards against the Rams. That was his highest total on the ground in over 4 seasons.
He also ran well in the first half of their week 3 loss to Indianapolis, but did not receive the ball in the second half.
Defensively the team has been led in their four games by NaVorro Bowman at linebacker. Patrick Willis has been nagged by a groin injury and Bowman has taken over as the defensive leader in Willis’ absence.
The one rookie thus far playing well for San Francisco is Eric Reid at safety. He has played well from the first game of the season. He has instincts and is a ball hawk, with a very bright future ahead of him.
Even though there have been many disappointments with their 2-2 record, the biggest has to be the team’s lack of discipline. The 49ers thus far have been whistled for 39 penalties in just four games.
There is still 12 games left to play and the schedule favors the 49ers. San Francisco hopes they can get back on track and defend their NFC Championship in January.
