*FAN SUBMISSION by Darren Ballard of Memphis, TN.*
First they’re sour, then they’re sweet. The San Francisco 49ers are like Sour Patch Kids to the NFL.
Courtesy: Nola.com
After suffering a harrowing loss at the hands of their division-rival St. Louis Rams, they looked to regain perspective on a roller coaster season Sunday as they traveled to New Orleans to take on the 4-4 Saints. The Mercedes-Benz Superdome has been good to the Saints, as they’ve taxied an 11-game winning streak at home (20 with head coach Sean Payton, Bountygate suspension excluded). And if Ahmad Brooks keeps mental tabs, then the linebacker’s crucial, unsportsmanlike penalty call against him after tackling Drew Brees last season still may haunt him and the San Francisco 49ers depleted defense.
But that’s what dreams (or nightmares) are made of, and the San Francisco 49ers began their vengeful defensive start via an Antoine Bethea interception of Brees on the third play into regulation. The picked pass intended for Marques Colston planted the San Francisco 49ers on the 19-yard line, and they quickly converted the excellent field position into a 4-yard Frank Gore rushing touchdown.
Later in the first quarter, rookie running back Carlos Hyde stamped the early San Francisco momentum with a 9-yard touchdown from a power-toss play. The 49ers held Brees and company to a field goal to end the quarter.
In the second quarter, Brees fired back with a connection to rookie standout Brandin Cooks for a 31-yard touchdown pass to bring the Saints within striking distance. But the 49ers had other plans as wide receiver Anquan Boldin finds the end zone on a fade pattern from a 15-yard Kaepernick touchdown pass followed by Brees throwing into triple coverage that resulted in a pick. Chris Culliver’s interception solidified the 49ers’ 11-point advantage going into halftime.
Touchdowns in the third and fourth quarters carried the Saints to their first lead of the game 1:52 left in regulation. Amidst several Boldin drops and the Saints finding success on running back Mark Ingram’s runs, the San Francisco 49ers were all but stagnant in the second half and the team once again found itself staring at yet another excruciating loss. Facing a do-or-die 4th and 10 with 1:34 on the clock, Kaepernick, after scrambling to his right and extending the play, miraculously found a wide-open Michael Crabtree for a 51-yard completion. A 45-yard Phil Dawson field goal would tie the game for the 49ers while still leaving time for Brees to corral a win.
Courtesy: Nola.com
With five seconds left in regulation, Brees threw a Hail Mary pass that tight end Jimmy Graham seemed to pull down in the end zone, but a late push-off against 49ers cornerback Perrish Cox drew a flag for offensive pass interference, sending the game into overtime.
After trading possessions in the extra quarter, the Saints were facing 2nd and 15 on their own 15-yard line when Ahmad Brooks got his revenge. “God smiled down on me today,” Brooks said. “I was rushing and turning the corner thinking, ‘Dang, is he going to throw the ball yet?’ But he didn’t, and I was able to make the play.”
Brooks swatted Brees before he could get the ball out on the play, forcing a fumble. San Francisco49ers rookie linebacker Chris Borland (who had 17 tackles on the night) fell on the loose ball, setting up a winning kick from Dawson with 5:14 left in overtime. San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio deemed it “poetic justice” and stated “the refs got it right this time.”
It was a sweet ending to a sour week for the San Francisco 49ers, but the team still has questions to answer on both ends of the ball. With the return of Aldon Smith next week on defense, they hope to respond by keeping their win column as tasteful as possible to keep their playoff hopes on the menu.
