Let me begin this by saying that I am a long suffering San Francisco 49ers fan. I was not alive for their first four Super Bowl victories and was not sentient enough to appreciate the fifth. Since I have been a fan (we’ll say 2001, when I turned ten) they have made the playoffs twice. Their last appearance was in 2002, and since then it has been a long string of woe and misery. Tonight was no exception.
After the first half of the game it began difficult to pick up the commentator’s for two reasons: First, NBC had the volume of the crowd too loud and the commentator’s too soft; second, my dad and I were too busy screaming at Alex Smith, the 49ers quarterback for me to pay adequate attention - and for that, I apologize.
That’s not to say I didn’t pay any attention, as early in the game there was some great insight into a few penalty calls on both sides of the line, which is something that I have heralded as a positive of Sunday Night Football all season. They were also able to give some context into just how the Eagle’s numerous injuries have cost the team this season. Sure, it’s really an excuse to fill airtime, but I appreciate the context as someone who only watches one game of football a week. I know, I know; but, it’s still baseball season and my Giants are very much in it - so sue me.
Much more interesting were some of the sidelines shots provided by the dozens of camera that NBC has situated all over the stadium. When Alex Smith choked and fumbled in the fourth quarter, there was a camera front and center to watch the 49ers head coach Mike Singletary tear him a new one, so to speak. The boys in the booth were able to do some lip reading (something I have never been able to do) in order to give us the gist of what was being said. Granted, most 49ers fans already knew what was going on - he was threatening to bench the supposed franchise starter if he didn’t show up to play in the next drive. Well, he did. But getting to watch the confrontation made the entire drive more meaningful, so good for NBC for giving us that feed.
Things started to heat up in the fourth quarter, where the 49ers staged a shocking comeback; this, after watching Singletary chew out his QB was surprising. What was not surprising was the end result: an interception thrown by Alex Smith to end the 49ers chances at stopping their season-long skid. I for one, would be shocked to see Alex Smith start next week; but hey, that’s just me, right?
One other thing that caught my attention, at a technical level, is that infamous yellow line that indicates where the offense needs to get the ball to nail a first down. I know, that’s probably not news to you, but I want to cover all my bases. I say infamous because tonight, like many other nights, this yellow line was a good three yards off of the actual first down line. Now, I know it can’t be perfect; I’m not an unreasonable fan. But would it kill ‘em to make it at least close?
That’s about all I have on this one. Check out some key stats below while I cover up all of my 49ers posters with some new San Francisco Giants newspaper clippings. You know, clippings talking about games they won.
San Francisco 49ers
Michael Crabtree: Nine receptions for 105 yards and one touchdown.
Ted Ginn Jr.: Ran for 181 yards total including a big kick-off return.
Philadelphia Eagles
Kevin Kolb: Passed for 253 yards and one touchdown.
LeSean McCoy: Rushed for 92 yards and a touchdown over eighteen carries.
Jeremy Maclin: Six receptions for 95 yards.
Tune in for next week’s game where the Colts and the Redskins both get their second appearance in Sunday Night Football and attempt to dismantle each other’s 1-0 record in the late Sunday slot.
