Prediction

The Niners tossed away their season last week by losing to Seattle in a game they should have won by two touchdowns. They literally dropped 3 touchdown passes and the botched trick punt return was the single stupidest play in design and execution and timing all season (although Dre Bly's interception celebration and consequent fumble is a close second). What kind of team loses a must win game to an inferior opponent who has nothing to play for? An annoying, awful, cock-tease of a team, that's who.

The frustration of the Seattle loss is only increased by the reveal that Alex Smith shows signs of life. The guy is playing well. So we have a quarterback. Basically. And we have some talented young wide outs. Vernon Davis COULD BE (but never will) be the best (or at least most dangerous) tight end in the entire league. Our defense is scary good at times, especially with Nate Clements playing. Gore is a top ten or five running back. But the fumble? Oy vey.

The coaching staff has shown some flexibility by adjusting the offense to what we have. But they are also incredible stupid on tactical decision making and cannot find any flow or balance in the play calling. They wanted to "run the football." It didn't work because our offensive line sucks. So now we go to the spread and throw 90% of the time and cannot convert third downs because the defenses know exactly what we're doing. Here's an idea that's worked for the Niners in the past - throw to set up the run. 2nd and 6? Go in the shotgun and run a draw play for Gore. Boom. We get a 3rd and 1, 3rd and 2. Don't got for a long pass over the middle to Davis who'll drop it half the time. Give Gore some space to run and he'll make plays. Our goal - even in the spread - should be to get Gore 20 carries a game. Just don't run smack into the line on 1st down every time. We don't have the line for it.

Part of me is happy for the loss against Seattle because I no longer need to be invested in the long-shot possibility of the playoffs. The Niners revealed the character of this team on Sunday. They are confused and immature and frustrating and full of mixed signals and inconsistencies. And because of all this, they'll probably do something ridiculous like beat Arizona on Monday night just to piss me off.