Week 11 - Rivalry(?) win!

Once upon a time there was a fierce rivalry between two teams vying for supremacy in the tough NFC West. It was long ago, in a galaxy far, far away. Okay, it was the 1980's. It just seems far, far away, especially since both teams are experiencing hard times now, and the Rams are WAY beyond bad -- they're downright woeful, as a matter of fact.

The Niners poleaxed the pitiful Rams Sunday 35-16...and it wasn't even as close as the final score would seem to indicate. 28 second quarter points. 28! And 35 points in the first half! The Niners hadn't done anything like that since 1992! You know, 1992, as in the Dynasty years. *sigh* How I miss the Dynasty years.

But enough of that! I just LOVE what Singletary is doing with this team! The whole attitude is different. This is not a finesse team. This is a team that hits, runs with authority, and doesn't quit on plays.

Singletary is using Frank Gore the way he needs to be used. Gore had over 100 yards on Sunday, and scored 2 touchdowns. Singletary's decision to replace turnover machine J. T. O'Sullivan with Shawn Hill was also a savvy move. Hill was borderline brilliant on Sunday, completing 75% of his passes and using his uncanny pocket presence to extend plays when pressured. He ran for a TD and also threw for 2 TDs.

The defense played well in spurts. 2 interceptions. 4 sacks. But they also allowed who-dat running back Antonio Pittman to rush for 95 yards. It's still a work in progress.

Dallas is up next, in Big D. We'll have to see if the 49ers can take advantage of Team Turmoil and whether this past Sunday was a harbinger of better things to come, or just beating up on a weak sister.