NFL 100: A Spotlight
For most of the San Francisco 49ers long history since joining the NFL in 1950, they had never went on to win a championship. From 1970 to 1972 they would go to the playoffs, and each time losing to the Dallas Cowboys. For the next six seasons they would not get a chance to build a team that could contend. All that would change in January 1979.
Bill Walsh, the genius of the West Coast Offense and offensive coordinator for Paul Brown's Cincinnati Bengals from 1968 to 1975, was hired to reverse the losing trend and build a winner in the Bay City. The trend would continue when the 49ers finished 1979 with a 2-14 record. By 1980, the 49ers were putting people in the seats at Candlestick Park with high flying offense from Walsh's system, unfortunately his defense wasn't stopping opponents either. San Francisco would finish the season with a 6-10 record. In the 1981 NFL Draft, Walsh would spend much of his picks on the secondary with players like Eric Wright and Ronnie Lott. There was much doubt that the 49ers would be a contender in 1981.
The first month of the 1981 season would see much of the same as the 49ers went 2-2 through four weeks. All that would change with a confidence building victory over the Washington Redskins by a score of 30-17. The momentum would build as the 49ers would lay a lickin' over the Dallas Cowboys with a blowout win of 45-14. What changed was the season additions of Jack "Hacksaw" Reynolds and Fred Dean. With an explosive offense and a defense to match, the surprising 49ers would finish the season with a 13-3 record.
The 49ers would easily beat the New York Giants 38-24 in the Divisional playoff. Their next opponent would be the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas had been in the 49ers way to a championship for the longest time, and the 49ers wouldn't miss out on the opportunity.
The team's would trade leads as the game's scoring was at 27-21 late in the 4th quarter. The ball was spotted at the 49ers 6-yard line with all of their timeouts intact with 4:54 left on the clock. America would be introduced to Joe Cool.
Bill Walsh would utilize his running game of Freddie Solomon and Lenvil Elliot on the final drive. He used this as the Cowboys expected Joe Montana to pass. The 49ers would march down the field as Lenvil Elliot would get a 6-yard run on a 2nd and 10 play. San Francisco would call their 2nd timeout with 58 seconds left. The ball was on the Cowboys 6-yard line. The next play would mark the beginning of one dynasty while subverting the end of another.
The play was Sprint Right Option, a play that was designed as a pick play. Dwight Clark was the designated pick man, the intended target was for Freddie Solomon. When the ball was snapped, Solomon slipped while running his route thus Montana's timing would be off. Montana's protection was breaking down as Montana ran to the right end of the sideline, trying to buy time. Ed "Too Tall" Jones and Larry Bethea were gunning for Montana. Trying to buy some more time, Montana used a pump fake to make Jones jump which he did and Montana aired it out to the endzone. Some possibilities was that Joe Montana intended to throw it as a throwaway to give the 49ers one last chance on 4th and goal. This would not be the case.
Running a similar route as Solomon, Dwight Clark knew he would have to be the intended target as Solomon slipped during the beginning of the play. As the ball was coming to him, he would reach up and take it with his fingers as high as he could and come down with it. The 49ers had scored a late touchdown on America's Team. A Ray Wershing point after would give the 49ers a 28-27 lead and would ultimately win the game.
The San Francisco 49ers would enjoy success during the 1980's, eventually becoming the "Team of the 80's" with four Super Bowl championships, while winning a fifth championship in 1994. They would continue to have playoff success until 2003 but the 22-year run has to be one of the greatest in NFL history.
Week 10 Picks
The 10th week of the National Football League regular season starts in Oakland, California and ends in Santa Clara, California. There will be six teams on a bye this week: New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Washington Redskins. The week's slate will have 13 games. The week includes a Thursday night game, seven early games, three late games, a Sunday night game and a Monday night game. CBS will have the single, regional game while FOX will have the double-header. Here are the picks!
LA Chargers (4-5) @ Oakland (4-4) (FOX/NFL Network): TW: Chargers; CV: Chargers
Both teams got wins last week as the Chargers beat the Packers and the Raiders beat the Lions. The week starts off win a fairly decent match-up. Both teams have good offenses and utilize their running games quite a lot. I feel the game will come down to which team's rush defense can shut down the opponent. Green Bay's running attack wasn't very effective last week so I'll take the Chargers this game.
Buffalo (6-2) @ Cleveland (2-6) (CBS): TW: Bills; CV: Bills
The Bills beat the Redskins and the Browns lost to the Broncos. I don't trust the Browns anymore enough to take them when they are favored to win. The Bills have had a somewhat soft schedule so far so this game will be a huge game to see how good the Bills can be. If the Bills can control the time of possession and run the ball well, I feel they should get a win.
Detroit (3-4-1) @ Chicago (3-5) (CBS): TW: Bears; CV: Lions
Both teams lost last week as the Lions lost to the Raiders and the Bears lost to the Eagles. The only real reason why I'm taking the Bears is the lack of a running game in Detroit. Since the loss of Kenny Golladay, there hasn't been a lot of production on the ground for the Lions. I feel the Bears passing offense will get back to basics this week as well.
NY Giants (2-7) @ NY Jets (1-7) (FOX): TW: Giants; CV: Giants
Both teams lost last week as the Giants lost to the Cowboys and the Jets lost to the Cowboys. It's the battle for New York... or New Jersey for that matter. The Jets have been playing terrible despite being a possible playoff contender. I like the Giants in the match-up because of their offense but this game could come down to a field goal. Really a toss-up game but I'll take the road team.
Baltimore (6-2) @ Cincinnati (0-8) (CBS): TW: Ravens; CV: Ravens
The Ravens beat the Patriots and the Bengals were on a bye last week. Ryan Finley will get the start for the Bengals and the task at hand is going to be a tough one for the quarterback. Baltimore is more talented on paper and I will take the Ravens since they're double-digit favorites to win as well. I can't trust Cincinnati to give them a win but if they somehow pull off a win, I'd be shocked.
Kansas City (6-3) @ Tennessee (4-5) (CBS): TW: Chiefs; CV: Chiefs
The Chiefs beat the Vikings and the Titans lost to the Panthers last week. Patrick Mahomes will likely return after missing two games. Depending on how effective he will be, he will still need his running game to be effective as the Titans have a great running attack of their own and much improvement at quarterback with Ryan Tannehill. I'll take the Chiefs as they need to win if they want to have a bye week in the playoffs.
Atlanta (1-7) @ New Orleans (7-1) (FOX): TW: Saints; CV: Saints
Both teams were on a bye last week. The Saints have been playing great football without Drew Brees and with the extra week of rest the Saints look poised to make a run. I feel they will win with his arm and while the Falcons don't have Matt Ryan, this game could still be close.
Arizona (3-5-1) @ Tampa Bay (2-6) (FOX): TW: Buccaneers; CV: Cardinals
Both teams lost last week as the Cardinals lost to the 49ers and the Buccaneers lost to the Seahawks. The Cardinals were a surprise last week with a great game by Kenyan Drake and a solid defense. I honestly like the Buccaneers in the game with the more weapons for Jameis Winston to throw to. I wouldn't be surprised if they lost either. I don't really trust either team to win but the name of the game is choosing which one will win so yeah.
Miami (1-7) @ Indianapolis (5-3) (CBS): TW: Colts; CV: Colts
The Dolphins won against the Jets and the Colts lost to the Steelers. Miami finally got a win but I feel their losing ways will comeback in this one. Jacoby Brissett might not play in this game but Brian Hoyer did well in his absence last week. The Dolphins aren't really good on either side of the ball so I'll take Indy.
Carolina (5-3) @ Green Bay (7-2) (FOX): TW: Packers; CV: Panthers
The Panthers beat the Titans and the Packers lost to the Chargers. Green Bay's running game and rush defense was largely ineffective last week. Christian McCaffrey could have quite a game this week if they can't stop him. If the Packers defense can hold down McCaffrey and force Kyle Allen to beat them this game will largely be in Cheesehead favor.
LA Rams (5-3) @ Pittsburgh (4-4) (FOX): TW: Rams; CV: Rams
The Rams were on a bye and the Steelers won against the Colts. Jared Goff has gotten out of his slump earlier in the season and they will need to play well on offense to have a chance to beat the Steelers defense. Rams defense should do fine against an average Steelers offense. I'll take the Rams as they need to win if they want to remain in the playoff hunt.
Minnesota (6-3) @ Dallas (5-3) (NBC): TW: Vikings; CV: Vikings
The Vikings lost to the Chiefs and the Cowboys beat the Giants last week. Minnesota had a fluke loss last week and I think they should rebound. Dallas could make this game interesting. Both teams have very similar talent levels on offense but I like the Vikings defense over the Cowboys in this game. Minnesota could very well lose, who knows.
Seattle (7-2) @ San Francisco (8-0) (ESPN): TW: 49ers; CV: 49ers
Both teams got wins last week as the Seahawks beat the Buccaneers and the 49ers beat the Cardinals. The two teams have their work cut out for them as ESPN has a pretty good matchup this week. Ultimately I think the longer rested 49ers will eke out a win this week. The 49ers running game needs to have a better game this week as Jimmy Garoppolo has enough on his plate dealing with the Seahawks pass rush. It will be close but I'll take the home team.
Local TV Schedule (courtesy of 506sports.com, subject to change):
CBS Single:
Detroit @ Chicago
Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts
FOX Early:
Atlanta @ New Orleans
Kevin Burkhardt, Charles Davis
FOX Late:
Carolina @ Green Bay
Joe Buck, Troy Aikman
The Records (By Week & Year):
Cardinal Viking:
2017: 167-89
2018: 156-98-2
2019:
Week 1: 11-4-1
Week 2: 10-6
Week 3: 10-6
Week 4: 7-8
Week 5: 9-6
Week 6: 7-7
Week 7: 10-4
Week 8: 11-4
Week 9: 8-6
Overall: 83-51-1
My record:
2012: 164-90-2
2013: 162-92-1
2014: 172-83-1
2017: 164-92
2018: 156-98-2
2019:
Week 1: 12-3-1
Week 2: 10-6
Week 3: 11-5
Week 4: 8-7
Week 5: 5-10
Week 6: 9-5
Week 7: 7-7
Week 8: 14-1
Week 9: 8-6
Overall: 84-50-1
See you guys on Monday night for the Week 10 recap! Enjoy the games!
-Tom
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