New Orleans nipped the 49ers for the sixth straight time on Monday night at Candlestick Park. Drew Brees spoiled San Francisco’s bid for their first win when he connected with Marques Colston on a 30 yard play in the final minutes. Colston’s reception set up Garrett Hartley’s game winning 37 yard field goal as time expired to give the visiting Saints a 25-22 victory. New Orleans is 2-0 for the second consecutive season, while the Niners are 0-2 for the first time in six years.
Brees threw for 254 yards and a pair of scores. The 31 year old former Purdue signal caller completed 28 of 38 passes and orchestrated the game winning 51 yard drive. The Saints climbed out to a 9-0 lead in the first quarter after a Reggie Bush touchdown followed up a two point safety on the game’s third play. New Orleans capitalized on San Francisco turnovers throughout the game. San Francisco finished with four turnovers on a night the franchise honored Hall-of-Fame receiver, Jerry Rice. Niners’ quarterback, Alex Smith, was picked off by Roman Harper in the first quarter, and Malcom Jenkins recovered a Niners’ fumble before the half. The 49ers outgained the Saints by nearly double in yards, and Smith showed glimpses of promise. Still, the Saints’ high-octane offense and tight defense was too much for Mike Singletary’s Niners. San Francisco didn’t help their cause either. Delanie Walker fumbled at the eight yard line in the second quarter, and two of Smith’s passes were deflected for interceptions deep in Saints territory. New Orleans, meanwhile, appeared in midseason form to keep the Niners winless.
Smith went 23-for-32 with 275 yards through the air. His only touchdown pass came in the second quarter, when he hit Frank Gore from 12 yards out to cut the Saints’ lead to 9-7. Gore, one of the league’s top rushers, ran for 112 yards on 20 carries. For Gore, it was the 21st time he raced for over 100 yard, breaking a franchise record. It was Anthony Dixon, the Niners backup rusher however, who scored the team’s second touchdown of the game. Dixon crossed the endzone in the third quarter to lift San Francisco to a 14-9 advantage. The Saints answered with Brees’ three-yard pass to David Thomas with less than two minutes in the third quarter to retake the lead.
Hartley notched a pair of field goals in the final quarter as New Orleans seized a 22-14 lead with 2:22 remaining in the game. Bush was carted off the field in the fourth with a leg injury after carrying the ball just five times for four yards. Smith needed just 53 seconds to move the Niners 82 yards. The eight play drive concluded with Gore’s 7 yard touchdown run with 1:19 left. The Niners went for two and Smith’s dart to Vernon Davis was overturned after an initial incompletion. At 22-22, the teams looked poised for overtime until Brees led the Saints on a 7 play drive down the field to set up the winning field goal. Hartley, who booted the game-winner against Minnesota to send the Saints to the Superbowl, barely made it through the uprights on Monday. But he did, and the Saints went on to win their second game of the season.
Parting Points: Gut feelings- The Phillies and Yankees will take their divisions.
Song of the day- “Yesterday’s Letter” by 98 degrees
Showing posts with label San Francisco 49ers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label San Francisco 49ers. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Monday, September 28, 2009
Fantastic Favre Finish
He may be wearing purple and tossing spirals back in the Northwest, but future Hall-Of-Fame quarterback, Brett Favre, still has a flair for the dramatic. Favre can still lead a team down the field with minutes remaining for the game-winning drive. Number four solidified his legacy Sunday in Minneapolis. He won over his new Vikings teammates and fans by rallying past the San Francisco 49ers in the final seconds Sunday afternoon.
The Vikings’ 27-24 victory provided the team their third win of 2009. This one was as good as it gets. Favre zipped a pass to seventh year veteran, Greg Lewis, in the back of the endzone with two seconds left in regulation. The 32 yard reception was perfectly placed and snatched by Lewis, who smartly set his two feet in bounds before dropping to the turf. The sellout Minnesota faithful roared in cheers as the official confirmed the go-ahead touchdown. Favre it 12-2 lifetime against San Francisco and was very much the reason the Niners suffered their first loss of 2009.
In a game of shifting momentum and big plays, the final drive was astounding and awesome. Favre completed six passes on the game-winning drive, including the stunning one that sailed to Lewis. Brett wrapped up a 24 for 47 day for 301 yards in his Vikings’ home debut. Brett’s last 300 yard game was in November of 2007. He did throw one pick-six, but used seven different Vikings to compile the yardage. The last play began with just 12 second and the visiting 2-0 49ers ahead by four points. Favre was tough to defend in his last attempt to win the game, and his grit gleamed on the field as his tight spirals captured a captivated crowd. He took plenty of blows from the San Francisco defense but still had enough to even block a linebacker downfield after he threw a pass to Bernard Berrian. Favre is like a big kid out there. Despite his retirement saga and rock-star attention-drawing demeanor, he still knows how to play the game like it should be played.
There was little trepidation when the Vikings were handed the ball back with 87 ticks on the game clock. The confidence in Favre and the guys up front was enough to motivate Minnesota’s offense. It was almost devious witnessing Favre’s comeback, but he wasn’t scheming all day. Shaun Hill, a former third string quarterback in Minnesota, threw a pair of touchdown passes and gave the Niners the lead midway through the fourth quarter. Vernon Davis was on the receiving end of both of Hill’s hauls. The 49ers performance was even more outstanding considering they were without running back, Frank Gore. Backup, Glen Coffee, filled in with 54 yards on 24 carries, not exactly numbers to give you a java jolt.
When the Niners didn’t have control of the ball, they were pressuring Favre with a penetrating defense. They sacked him twice. Cornerback, Shawntae Spencer, picked him off. But the veteran was pretty much on his game. He completed a first quarter touchdown pass to Sidney Rice to put seven points on the board early. After a seven play drive, Ryan Longwell kicked a field goal to increase the Viking lead to 10-0. The Niners responded with their own seven play drive, resulting in a five yard touchdown pass from Hill to Davis. Longwell secured a 52 yard field goal later in the second but things were mixed up right before the half on the kicking side of the ball. San Francisco’s Nate Clements blocked a field goal try and returned it for a touchdown to supply the go-ahead score 14-13.
Joe Nedney booted a 37 yarder to start the third quarter scoring. Former Florida Gator receiver, Percy Harvin, tacked on a touchdown for the home team as he sprinted down the field for a 101 yard kick return. The Niners found the endzone one last time with a triumphant Davis 20 yard reception in the fourth quarter. Then it was the Vikings and Favre forging their identity and marching to success in less than a minute and a half.
Mike Singletary and the 49ers are a rebuilding team, but deserve plenty of respect. The relentless running game and stubborn defense are going to take San Francisco to new heights this season. Tight end, Davis, had the best game of his career. Hill was nearly impeccable until the final two drives where the Niners went three-and-out. The visiting team simply left far too much time for Favre. There are many positives to take from the game if you’re a San Francisco fan. The magic of Brett Favre should not be the downfall of this young season. Favre’s shake off of defensive end, Justin Smith and roll to the right came before his hurl to Lewis. Not many quarterbacks in this league make that throw as accurately as number four. Favre found his receiver in the right corner of the endzone at an ill-timed moment for the 49ers. Next Sunday, San Francisco hosts the St. Louis Rams. That game should be relatively easy, and at least Favre won’t be there to break their hearts.
Parting points: Yankees won the AL East. Hoorah for New York. And, the Jets and Giants are both 3-0.
View Favre's game-winning drive here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=un3B7Og-FS0
The Vikings’ 27-24 victory provided the team their third win of 2009. This one was as good as it gets. Favre zipped a pass to seventh year veteran, Greg Lewis, in the back of the endzone with two seconds left in regulation. The 32 yard reception was perfectly placed and snatched by Lewis, who smartly set his two feet in bounds before dropping to the turf. The sellout Minnesota faithful roared in cheers as the official confirmed the go-ahead touchdown. Favre it 12-2 lifetime against San Francisco and was very much the reason the Niners suffered their first loss of 2009.
In a game of shifting momentum and big plays, the final drive was astounding and awesome. Favre completed six passes on the game-winning drive, including the stunning one that sailed to Lewis. Brett wrapped up a 24 for 47 day for 301 yards in his Vikings’ home debut. Brett’s last 300 yard game was in November of 2007. He did throw one pick-six, but used seven different Vikings to compile the yardage. The last play began with just 12 second and the visiting 2-0 49ers ahead by four points. Favre was tough to defend in his last attempt to win the game, and his grit gleamed on the field as his tight spirals captured a captivated crowd. He took plenty of blows from the San Francisco defense but still had enough to even block a linebacker downfield after he threw a pass to Bernard Berrian. Favre is like a big kid out there. Despite his retirement saga and rock-star attention-drawing demeanor, he still knows how to play the game like it should be played.
There was little trepidation when the Vikings were handed the ball back with 87 ticks on the game clock. The confidence in Favre and the guys up front was enough to motivate Minnesota’s offense. It was almost devious witnessing Favre’s comeback, but he wasn’t scheming all day. Shaun Hill, a former third string quarterback in Minnesota, threw a pair of touchdown passes and gave the Niners the lead midway through the fourth quarter. Vernon Davis was on the receiving end of both of Hill’s hauls. The 49ers performance was even more outstanding considering they were without running back, Frank Gore. Backup, Glen Coffee, filled in with 54 yards on 24 carries, not exactly numbers to give you a java jolt.
When the Niners didn’t have control of the ball, they were pressuring Favre with a penetrating defense. They sacked him twice. Cornerback, Shawntae Spencer, picked him off. But the veteran was pretty much on his game. He completed a first quarter touchdown pass to Sidney Rice to put seven points on the board early. After a seven play drive, Ryan Longwell kicked a field goal to increase the Viking lead to 10-0. The Niners responded with their own seven play drive, resulting in a five yard touchdown pass from Hill to Davis. Longwell secured a 52 yard field goal later in the second but things were mixed up right before the half on the kicking side of the ball. San Francisco’s Nate Clements blocked a field goal try and returned it for a touchdown to supply the go-ahead score 14-13.
Joe Nedney booted a 37 yarder to start the third quarter scoring. Former Florida Gator receiver, Percy Harvin, tacked on a touchdown for the home team as he sprinted down the field for a 101 yard kick return. The Niners found the endzone one last time with a triumphant Davis 20 yard reception in the fourth quarter. Then it was the Vikings and Favre forging their identity and marching to success in less than a minute and a half.
Mike Singletary and the 49ers are a rebuilding team, but deserve plenty of respect. The relentless running game and stubborn defense are going to take San Francisco to new heights this season. Tight end, Davis, had the best game of his career. Hill was nearly impeccable until the final two drives where the Niners went three-and-out. The visiting team simply left far too much time for Favre. There are many positives to take from the game if you’re a San Francisco fan. The magic of Brett Favre should not be the downfall of this young season. Favre’s shake off of defensive end, Justin Smith and roll to the right came before his hurl to Lewis. Not many quarterbacks in this league make that throw as accurately as number four. Favre found his receiver in the right corner of the endzone at an ill-timed moment for the 49ers. Next Sunday, San Francisco hosts the St. Louis Rams. That game should be relatively easy, and at least Favre won’t be there to break their hearts.
Parting points: Yankees won the AL East. Hoorah for New York. And, the Jets and Giants are both 3-0.
View Favre's game-winning drive here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=un3B7Og-FS0
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
