Saints 32 @ 49ers 36: Breaking Down the Breakdown

by Dave Cariello on Jan 16, 2012 6:00 AM CST

Yeah, that's right. We're going to relive the worst parts of the Saints defensive breakdown in the final three minutes of their Divisional playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers this past Saturday, also known as The Vernon Davis Show. Deal with it.

I've broken down the two big Vernon Davis receptions that put the Niners in scoring position twice as well as the final game-winning touchdown now being called The Catch III.

Grab a strong drink (I don't care what time it is) and make the jump. Fair warning: what you're about to see may be disturbing for some readers. Reader discretion is advised.

Breakdown #1

2-10-SF 33 - (3:14) 11-Alex Smith pass deep left to 85-V.Davis pushed ob at NO 30 for 37 yards (27-M.Jenkins). Caught at NO 36. 6-yds YAC

The Saints have just taken the lead following a Sproles catch and run. Not much time remains in the game. The 49ers are in their own zone. It's four down territory but if the Saints can get a defensive stop and the ball back, victory would be a likely possibility. Instead, a deep pass to Vernon Davis puts the San Francisco in scoring range.

The Saints are in a base 4-3 with man-to-man coverage on the outside and no deep safety. Instead, Roman Harper is standing near the line of scrimmage.

Everyone in the secondary is giving their receiver a big cushion. Malcolm Jenkins in pretty much playing cornerback, covering Vernon Davis one-on-one on the outside.

The defense brings the blitz. All three linebackers and Harper run right at Alex Smith. The three defensive backs drop back into coverage with their men.

Davis gets separation and a good angle to the outside on Jenkins.

Jenkins isn't even looking at the ball when it arrives perfectly thrown right into Davis.

Breakdown #2

2-10-SF 33 - (:40) (Shotgun) 11-Alex Smith pass deep left to 85-V.Davis to NO 20 for 47 yards (27-M.Jenkins). Caught at NO 45. 20-yds YAC

The Saints take back the lead again with a huge catch by Jimmy Graham and then a tough run after to get into the end zone. Once again, the Saints defense just needs to come up with a stop. It's the exact same down and distance from the exact same spot on the field for the 49ers. And they're going to get nearly the exact same unbelievable result from an Alex Smith to Vernon Davis hookup.

The 49ers have four receivers and the Saints are again in man-to-man coverage. They're playing it a little bit safer this time with Roman Harper playing deep safety. Vernon Davis is in the slot; Malcolm Jenkins is covering him one-on-one again, basically a cornerback.

Once again Vernon Davis is just too much for Jenkins. Davis gets separation and an inside track. Alex Smith throws a beautiful pass over the middle to lead Davis and hit him stride.

Now it's a foot race. That blurry figure on the ground is Roman Harper flying by on a useless whiffed tackle. Good thing he was back there for safety. Probably would have been better if he had just blitzed instead. Jenkins would eventually catch Davis, but it was too late.

Breakdown #3

3-4-NO 14 - (:14) 11-Alex Smith pass short middle to 85-V.Davis for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

After giving up the big 47-yard Vernon Davis catch and run, the Saints defense has held the 49ers to third down. It's the biggest play of the game. They only need four yards but the Niners are only thinking end zone. If they get it, they win. If they don't, the game probably goes into overtime after a game-tying field goal. Would you like to guess who San Francisco throws to on this play? We know how it ends.

Now the Saints defense is playing really safe. Looks like some sort of zone coverage. Only three men on the line and everyone else playing back. There's a gap in the coverage, however, between the linebackers/cornerbacks in coverage and the deep men.

Nobody is covering Vernon Davis at the line. Hard to believe after what he'd just done to this defense in the last three minutes. Just Peelle is also on that side of the line.

Davis is free and clear to run where he wants. He slips in right behind Scott Shanle and in front of the deep men. Shanle and Patrick Robinson both seem more concerned with Peelle underneath than the dangerous Davis. Again, hard to believe. I'm assuming Shanle was trusting Harper to take over on Davis coverage duties.

When the pass is thrown, Martez Wilson leaps and is a cat hair away from tipping the ball.

Harper reacts to the pass, he meets Davis at the goaline as the ball arrives. Vernon has body position and makes the catch while falling into the end zone over Harper.

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Comments

I have made my feelings about Gregg Williams known

…but the other thing that perplexed me on the last 49ers drive was how the Saints let Davis run free; if ever there was a time for risking a defensive hold or interference call, that was the time. Instead, the Saints let themselves get caught in no man’s land each time. Perplexing defensive calls, terrible defensive positioning and execution. 49er high fives all around.

"I have had a perfectly wonderful evening, but this wasn't it." Groucho Marx

by BenDerDonDat on Jan 16, 2012 6:49 AM CST reply actions

49er high fives all around.

The Giants/49er game should be a great game. And I have a feeling 49ers will win the Superbowl. They are for real. And anyone on that defense could play for my team any day. They showed that’s how defense is supposed to play the game. Crazy football weekend.

I spent 8 years trying to reach him...and then another 7 trying to keep him locked up because I realized what was living behind that boy's eyes was purely and simply...Evil.

Dr. Sam Loomis Aka (Donald Pleasence)

by Jricky70 on Jan 16, 2012 7:40 AM CST reply actions 1 recs

I like this post. :-)

Let's giggity giggity Go 49ers!!!

by Kittles on Jan 16, 2012 11:46 AM CST up reply actions

Dave, any chance that you could add Vernon Davis’ first td catch to this analysis. I believe Harper was in on coverage with Jenkins taking a bad angle resulting in a missed tackle and Davis trotting 40 yards to 6 points.

One thing I was wondering was why Jenkins was not asked to try to jam davis at the line on any of these plays, particularly the blitz. Or why we didn’t throw a double team in there like we did on Calvin Johnson. Crabtree wasn’t providing much of a threat Saturday, and they had some guy called swain playing receiver by the end of the game. Why not try to take away smith’s only reliable receiver all game and clear release valve when under pressure?

by HRP-SAINT on Jan 16, 2012 7:45 AM CST reply actions

Oh and just read on si.com that the 49ers are the first team in playoff history to score two lead changing game winning touchdowns in the final 3 minutes of a playoff game. Ouch. This is the 49ers offense we are talking about here.

by HRP-SAINT on Jan 16, 2012 7:56 AM CST up reply actions

Another record

…courtesy of the Saints. You’re welcome, 49ers.

"Sinn Féin, motherf*****s!"

by MtnExile on Jan 16, 2012 7:57 AM CST up reply actions

There must come a reaction

Tight ends are taking over the game. A revolution in safety play must be the next development. Why not recruit failed basketball forwards and turn them into not tight ends, but safeties—tight end defenders? That seems to be what the NFL needs right now…6’5" 250 lb. guys who can run 4.4 and leap tall buildings and catch, to defend against this sort of thing. It’s obvious that 6’0", 200 lb. Malcolm Jenkins isn’t up to the task (and he’s far from uniquely unqualified in the NFL).

"Sinn Féin, motherf*****s!"

by MtnExile on Jan 16, 2012 7:57 AM CST reply actions 1 recs

an excellent idea mtnexile. i have been thinking a lot that with the success of gronk and graham that teams will all be looking for that 4.5 tight end with basketball style athleticism moving forward. but you are completely right, in the next 5 or so years there will probably be a fundamental change in the way safetys are perceived as well.

of course, guys that fit that mould don’t exactly grow on trees. but it should be a trend that will be interesting to watch. just as with the growing height of elite WR (johnson, fitzgerald etc), and the need for CB who are taller to be able to match-up (hence why i think lsu’s claiborne will be taken so highly valued in the upcoming draft).

by HRP-SAINT on Jan 16, 2012 8:55 AM CST up reply actions

I think you'll start to see it

Teams have to neutralize the height advantage if they’re going to hold guys like Graham and Gronk in check.

by Dave Choate on Jan 16, 2012 9:02 AM CST up reply actions

hey dave, how are you? does the pain subside after two weeks?

haven’t been to the falcholic, but what do you think about your new coordinator signing? is falcons fandom optimistic, pessimistic or somewhere in between?

by HRP-SAINT on Jan 16, 2012 9:10 AM CST up reply actions

The pain sort of goes away

But it still sucks. Not going to lie.

I’m fairly optimistic that he’ll be a more aggressive OC than Mularkey, which is really all I want. Falcons fans are generally split between “meh” and blind fury.

by Dave Choate on Jan 16, 2012 9:24 AM CST up reply actions

did you see that funny picture CP posted with #22 Tracy Porter's jersey (2 and done)? Nice twist on our Dave's Ryan 2 points pic from last week

Having the ball is better than not having the ball. And if you punt,
not only does it mean you don't have the ball anymore—
it means you didn't score, which sucks.

by Hans Petersen on Jan 16, 2012 9:34 AM CST up reply actions

I did not

But I will be checking it out now.

by Dave Choate on Jan 16, 2012 9:46 AM CST up reply actions

let me help - it's in the post-game thread "Saints lose heartbreaker..."

posted @ 12:35 am EST- not a reply, straight-up comment

and it’s maybe two-thirds or three-fourths of the way down in the long thread – past the picture of the girls in painted on bikinis, past the real housewives picture, past the Flintstones alien pic

Having the ball is better than not having the ball. And if you punt,
not only does it mean you don't have the ball anymore—
it means you didn't score, which sucks.

by Hans Petersen on Jan 16, 2012 10:11 AM CST up reply actions

past the picture of the girls in painted on bikinis, past the real housewives picture, past the Flintstones alien pic

LOL

GET TO THE RIM HEAT (and SKY)! ATTACK THE PAINT!

by mjtig on Jan 16, 2012 11:16 AM CST up reply actions

yeah, that's kind of a nice walk, isn't it?

scenic views everywhere

"We live by the blitz, and we die by the blitz.'' - Roman Harper

"So I guess the blitz died.'' - Alex Smith

by Hans Petersen on Jan 16, 2012 11:45 AM CST up reply actions

Gadzooks!

by Dave Choate on Jan 16, 2012 4:02 PM CST up reply actions

The alcohol helped numb the pain saturday night and sunday

….but now, back at work, they frown on drinking. Who would have thought it.

by HRP-SAINT on Jan 16, 2012 9:42 AM CST up reply actions

i don't understand the change in schemes or energy

the whole game… the saints d was holding the niners in place. even with 4 turnovers, the scores was only 17-14 niners. that was awesome… then the saints d went all fukushima in the last 2 minutes… WTF? when jimmy scored, i thought we had clinched it, given how the d was playing all day….

seriously, i avoided espn, si, nfl.com all day yesterday and didn’t have enough in me to even come here until today.

ugh…

by nanvinnie on Jan 16, 2012 8:39 AM CST reply actions 1 recs

Ralph posted something on the LSU game, saying that for Tiger fans it was like being stabbed to death in a phone booth with a butter knife. This was more like seeing some guy put a gun in your face and pull the trigger—then waking up in a hospital bed only to see the same guy walk in and put a gun in your face…

"Sinn Féin, motherf*****s!"

by MtnExile on Jan 16, 2012 8:55 AM CST up reply actions

there is one thing I would like people to consider with everyone saying the saints d was holding the niners in place.

at the start of the game, yes, there were turnovers but the 49ers still put up 17 points on the saints defence, which pre-game prided themselves on a bend don’t break philosophy. there were some fundamental defensive lapses which also created those 17 points.

everyone is suggesting the defense held the 49ers from late 1st quarter to late 4th quarter. i agree they did do that. but was it all good defense on the saints behalf, or was there a significant contribution from the conservative play-calling of the 49ers?

i put myself in harbaugh’s shoes. i have a 17 point lead. i am at home. i have one of the best defences in the league. i am telling alex smith to play conservative, not push the point, and do not create turnovers. hence san francisco made the saints defence’s job significantly easier for three quarters until the saints get the lead. at which point in time harbaugh has to take the handcuffs off the offense resulting in that thing that happened saturday afternoon that we all don’t like talking about.

so was the saints defense good for three quarters or did they get a significant assist from the 49ers?

by HRP-SAINT on Jan 16, 2012 9:09 AM CST up reply actions

^This

Come to think of it, I think this nails it. When the 49ers really needed it, they made it look as though they were playing against kindergarten girls. Which makes me wonder if Harbaugh isn’t rethinking his offense.

"Sinn Féin, motherf*****s!"

by MtnExile on Jan 16, 2012 9:14 AM CST up reply actions

my point exactly. the 49ers scored 34 points when they needed it, and made our defense look terrible in doing so. when they didn’t need it they simply did not lose the game. which makes me rethink entirely how to rate our defensive performance saturday. i cannot say we played good for 3/4 of the game, beause for the 1/4 combined time when the defense actually were called upon they were gashed mercilessly.

by HRP-SAINT on Jan 16, 2012 9:25 AM CST up reply actions

If you don't mind a Niners fan perspective

I think a lot of what you’re saying is right, but there a few other factors. Your blitz definetely created a few stops. Due to Goodwin missing some plays, we had to bring Chilo Rachal in (who really, really sucks), compounding the blitz issue. Also, the receivers went retarded for a little while, dropping balls and creating the back to back OPIs (wtf??).

The biggest non-conservative call in that stretch was the risky Gore to Smith pitch. I couldn’t see it on TV (or just missed that part?), but some people said that Vernon was wide open deep for a TD if Gore doesn’t underthrow Alex.

That said, the Niners O did go conservative too early. Obvious runs on 2nd and 10 have put us in bad 3rd and longs all year when trying to milk the clock. The Niners O is not the Saints O, but they’re not as bad as the stats suggest. The gamplan and playcalling are big factors.

by mrg80 on Jan 16, 2012 9:33 AM CST up reply actions

but they sure hit it on that 3rd and 8 bootleg call, didn't they? that was pretty sweet

Having the ball is better than not having the ball. And if you punt,
not only does it mean you don't have the ball anymore—
it means you didn't score, which sucks.

by Hans Petersen on Jan 16, 2012 9:36 AM CST up reply actions

for sure

quite unexpected…as much as they go conservative, there is definetely some good creativity and using formations to setup big plays later in the game

by mrg80 on Jan 16, 2012 9:46 AM CST up reply actions

I don't think you can pin the 17 points on the Saints D.

I only think our D can be blamed for 7 points in the first half.

Their first TD (blame this on our D): after Pierre Thomas’ fumble, they gain about 30 yards, punt, and we get the ball in the shadow of our end zone. We can’t get out, give them good field position, then they get a 47 yard pass to Vernon Davis. Looked like Harper & Jenkins took each other out trying to tackle Davis, and he goes in uncontested.

Their second TD (don’t blame this on our D): They start on our 4 yard line after Brees throws a pick, and a good run back. On the pick, Brees makes two mistakes. He makes a bad read, forgetting about the safety. He also underthrows Arrington. If you look at the replay, Arrington has a step or two behind everyone. If Brees makes a better throw, that might be a touchdown.

Their first FG (don’t blame this on our D): Roby fumbles the kickoff. They get the ball on our 13 yard line. Our D keeps them to gaining 6 yards, and a FG.

by somersaint on Jan 16, 2012 9:53 AM CST up reply actions

don’t disagree. my point about the 34 was just to highlight that in between scoring the 2 tranches of large points at the beginning and end of the game the 49ers went fairly vanilla. yes our defense held them, but they were holding a vanilla offense. when the 49ers offense went all tutti-frutti on our arse the defense failed to deliver. and my contention is that 49er tutti -frutti isnt green bay or new england tutti-frutti.

but even if you take out the 10 points you have quoted it still leaves 26 points on the board. from memory thats more than the 49ers season average points per game.

by HRP-SAINT on Jan 16, 2012 3:26 PM CST up reply actions

Think you're right...

"I don't suffer from drug addiction. I enjoy it very much."

by cajuncreation on Jan 16, 2012 1:03 PM CST up reply actions

What are you talking about.

The whole world knows the Saints,Green Bay Packers and the Patriots have the worst defenses in the N.F.L.Whatever Mr.Harbaugh was doing none of us know.He doesn’t play in between the white lines his team does.I think the saints did play pretty good defense for a while there.Alex Smith and the forty niners always play pretty conservative in the first place.There not the Patriots are the Green Bay Packers on offense.Its not like he can flick some switch and turn into Dan Marino.Everyone knows the forty niners throw short passes,play very good defense and try to keep it close.Alex Smith might get better through time but not right now.The Giants will win the next game against the niners.

by mr_davis on Jan 16, 2012 4:31 PM CST up reply actions

All game the scheme was changing, and it was a successful tactic.

The scheme changes had been used all game by us, very successfully. We would show blitz, then back off into zones, forcing Alex Smith to make progression reads. Or show blitz and actually bring it. The D kept him off balance all game, except (crappily) at this end part.

by somersaint on Jan 16, 2012 9:01 AM CST up reply actions

We gave up too long touchdown drives to a mediocre offense in the last 4 minutes

..yes give some love to Alex Smith and Vernon Davis and a very creative offensive call on 3rd and 9 for the first touchdown (aided by a Will Smith complete failure to maintain outside leverage)…but for the defense, no two ways about it…MAJOR FAIL.

I really got angry only when I read the quotes from Jenkins and Harper after the game (and of course the complete run for cover absence from the media of Gregg Williams). I have no problem with the live by the blitz, die by the blitz mentality (although it created precious few turnovers this year, and therefore was the ultimate high risk, low reward strategy). But the point is that with 40 seconds left in a game and one 49er time-out, the ONLY thing that could hurt the Saints was a long pass play. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, the 47 yard gain by Davis that preceded the last touchdown was a 10 yard pass that turned into a 47 yard play because of the complete absence of middle field coverage. I like to say that there is a range of reasonableness to decisions, and that those not making the decisions need to give the decision-makers some room in making the wrong call as long as it can be justified on some basis. This call and the execution was not within that zone…not by a mile.

"I have had a perfectly wonderful evening, but this wasn't it." Groucho Marx

by BenDerDonDat on Jan 16, 2012 9:51 AM CST up reply actions

The problem with the live by the blitz/die by the blitz is that we did nothing but die by it all season. We got almost no pressure on QBs all season despite blitzing 2nd most in the NFL. It kept leaving the back end vulnerable to big plays all season long, keeping too many games closer than they had to be, yet Gregg Williams continued to stubbornly call for it. Even if we could get pressure, the final drive of this game would never have been the situation to call it. It’s called situational football. It’s about tailoring your defense to the talent you have. For the last two season’s Gregg wouldn’t adapt and that is why he is packing his bags and we are eliminated.

In Breesus' name we play

by Breesus Christ Superstar on Jan 16, 2012 4:58 PM CST up reply actions

Rec’d.
I felt the same way.

In Breesus' name we play

by Breesus Christ Superstar on Jan 16, 2012 4:49 PM CST up reply actions

Epic fail by Shanle to jump the underneath route

Justin Peelle? Really? He of the 1 f-ing catch for 2011? Make him catch it underneath and beat you to the end zone instead of letting Davis get behind you. AAARGH!!!

"But tonight the Superbowl belongs to the City of New Orleans" - Roger Goodell 2/7/2010

by SaintBevo on Jan 16, 2012 9:50 AM CST reply actions

you know what Sean Payton says

we can’t let their WORST player beat us

nice job, Shanle

Having the ball is better than not having the ball. And if you punt,
not only does it mean you don't have the ball anymore—
it means you didn't score, which sucks.

by Hans Petersen on Jan 16, 2012 9:55 AM CST up reply actions

You're right, Dave

It’s never too early in the day to start hitting the sauce. Ugh! This terrible finish plus the fact that we could have had the NFCCG in NOLA after the Pack lost is making me sick again. I’m starting to think that sports just isn’t worth all of this angst.

"As soon as Tony (Dungy) said we had no chance, I knew we had 'em right where we wanted 'em"--Coach Sean Payton right after Super Bowl XLIV with the Lombardi Trophy firmly in hand. WHO DAT!!

by David "Satch" Kelly on Jan 16, 2012 9:59 AM CST reply actions

Post from 1/11.....Nostra-freaking-damus

This was my post from 1/11……..damn it.

“The V Davis/Roman Harper match-up will also go a long way in determining the winner. I think we should NOT blitz that much and bracket (double) cover Davis. We might take a chance leaving Crabtree one on one with our CBs, but I’ll take that chance. In addition, our DEs must contain Smith. We need to force him to throw from the pocket. He is much more effective on the move/outside the pocket. I look for the 49ers to move the pocket in anticipation of blitzes by the Saints.”

Harper is nothing more than an undersized linebacker. He has always struggled in pass coverage. No one in our secondary plays with football instincts (see Darren Sharper).

I’m pulling for Eli to get another title.

by tmac641 on Jan 16, 2012 10:06 AM CST reply actions

Alex Smith made a bunch of really good throws.

In all our complaining about how bad our D was, I actually don’t think it was that horrible. Yes, the results earn a big FAIL. However, they didn’t repeat the same mistakes. They got beat by Alex Smith in a bunch of different ways.

On Davis’ first long pass (4 minutes left), we brought the house. Jenkins gives Davis a 10 yard cushion (which is what you have to do when you bring the house). Davis gets a step on him, but Alex Smith makes an AMAZING THROW.

On Davis’ second long pass (1 minute left), we play more of a base D. This time Jenkins is playing bump and run, and Davis gets an inside release. Alex Smith again makes a terrific throw, and hits Davis in stride. Then, Harper takes a bad angle and whiffs on the tackle (man, we could have used that in-the-field tackle, and the extra 10 seconds it would have taken them to get set up).

On the last play, where Davis scores the TD, we play zone. Davis sits down between Harper & Shanle / Martez Wilson. Again, Alex Smith makes a money throw just above Martez Wilson’s hands and in Davis’ breadbasket. Harper even makes a big time hit from behind, but Davis holds on and his big body’s momentum carries him over Harper into the end zone.

by somersaint on Jan 16, 2012 10:06 AM CST reply actions

No way Saints should have been in a Base D (and I don

"I have had a perfectly wonderful evening, but this wasn't it." Groucho Marx

by BenDerDonDat on Jan 16, 2012 10:31 AM CST up reply actions

Quote from Michael Rosenberg article on SI....

The New Orleans Saints only played once this weekend, but somehow, they lost four times. They keep losing. They will wake up tomorrow and feel like they lost again. Players lose, fans lose, gamblers lose, bar owners in the French Quarter lose … well, OK, I suppose bar-owners in the French Quarter always win. But everybody else loses, again and again

by HRP-SAINT on Jan 16, 2012 10:21 AM CST reply actions

actually enjoyed the article

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/michael_rosenberg/01/16/tough.losses/index.html?sct=nfl_wr_a1

by HRP-SAINT on Jan 16, 2012 10:24 AM CST up reply actions

good find, HRP! I just posted it as a fanshot, crediting you with the find...

Having the ball is better than not having the ball. And if you punt,
not only does it mean you don't have the ball anymore—
it means you didn't score, which sucks.

by Hans Petersen on Jan 16, 2012 10:31 AM CST up reply actions

thanks Hans!

by HRP-SAINT on Jan 16, 2012 10:54 AM CST up reply actions

you're welcome...thank you for bringing it here first, HRP!!

"We live by the blitz, and we die by the blitz.'' - Roman Harper

"So I guess the blitz died.'' - Alex Smith

by Hans Petersen on Jan 16, 2012 10:55 AM CST up reply actions

It helped me stop crying

…at least for the morning.

"I have had a perfectly wonderful evening, but this wasn't it." Groucho Marx

by BenDerDonDat on Jan 16, 2012 11:14 AM CST up reply actions

What?

That made me cry even more!

Wanna say something? Sign up! It's free!

by Dave Cariello on Jan 16, 2012 11:33 AM CST up reply actions

me too - but the crying therapy is good

"We live by the blitz, and we die by the blitz.'' - Roman Harper

"So I guess the blitz died.'' - Alex Smith

by Hans Petersen on Jan 16, 2012 11:45 AM CST up reply actions

Niners fan here. Judge how you will.

I think we can all agree, as fans of football in general, that this past game was one of the greatest Playoff games in recent memory. With that being said, I think the victory was a culmination of three things: 1.) horrible play calling on behalf of the Saints defensive coordinator, 2.) turnovers and 3.) clutch play by Alex Smith. Point one, do you play conservative zone coverage or do you blitz late in the game? Point two, a 5/1 ratio in the turnover category is hard to overcome. And point three Alex Smith play was simply phenomenal when it needed to be.

Let's giggity giggity Go 49ers!!!

by Kittles on Jan 16, 2012 12:05 PM CST reply actions

We overcame the 5-to-1 turnover ratio

We took the lead late. We took it twice. The Saints’ loss was the culmination of two things: 1) clutch play by both Alex Smith (unexpected) and Vernon Davis (expected…how do you forget about Davis?), and 2) a massive defensive breakdown in both play calling and execution. Which, again, happened not once but twice in the last three minutes.

That was one of the weirdest games I’ve ever seen. It was won with a late touchdown drive four different times.

What! shall we curse the planets of mishap
That plotted thus our glory's overthrow?

by MtnExile on Jan 16, 2012 1:28 PM CST up reply actions

Which, again, happened not once but twice in the last ~~three minutes~~ two years.
FIFY..

Repeat? Run it!

by FrenchFreak on Jan 16, 2012 3:09 PM CST up reply actions

I almost wanted to talk smack....

Only because of all the crap I heard before the game about how my Niners had zero chance. However I can understand having faith in your team since I felt the same coming into this divisional playoff. NO is a heck of a football team and even though you guys were on the losing end you should be proud of your boys for playing as hard as they have all season long, and for being a part of one of the great playoff games in recent history. Not sure I’d be able to watch if the tables were turned, but you’ll be back Saints and I look forward to a new rivalry with you guys, hopefully in the playoffs for years to come. Good luck guys

by sak9r on Jan 16, 2012 12:06 PM CST reply actions

Thank you Sak

you should be proud of your boys for playing as hard as they have all season long,

We are very proud. It was a great season, even though we came up short of the Superbowl, still was a great season. Much better than the 2010 season.

and for being a part of one of the great playoff games in recent history.

I have to agree with you on that. Indeed it was. It was a matter of 2 great teams fighting hard all the way till the end. Alex Smith made a phenominal play to Vernon Davis that sealed the deal. It’s still painful very much so.

Last playoff season we were humiliated by the Seahawks (yuck). There’s a huge difference. Saturday we were down 17 points including 5 turnovers in addition to 32 points against the best all around defense in the league, still had a chance to win it. It’s still a loss, but I couldn’t be prouder the way they fought tooth and nail with you guys.

I spent 8 years trying to reach him...and then another 7 trying to keep him locked up because I realized what was living behind that boy's eyes was purely and simply...Evil.

Dr. Sam Loomis Aka (Donald Pleasence)

by Jricky70 on Jan 16, 2012 12:25 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Agreed.

Let's giggity giggity Go 49ers!!!

by Kittles on Jan 16, 2012 12:36 PM CST up reply actions

Good luck, Sak.

The 49ers are a good team, and there’s no shame in losing to them. However, the way we lost pretty much sucked. Alex Smith was phenomenal in the clutch … he made 3 perfect throws to Vernon Davis in the last 4 minutes, and his run was executed perfectly.

by somersaint on Jan 16, 2012 6:47 PM CST up reply actions