(By Daisy Barringer)

I think we can all breathe a sigh of relief. With last night’s 27-6 win over the Washington Redskins, the 49ers proved that the offense does not need to fully rely on the defense to win games and that, despite some poor play/decisions in previous games, the players and coaches hungry for a spot in the playoffs.

Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman claimed the offense was going to “pop” last night, but I’m not ready to break out the champagne for him quite yet. Still, I’d be happy to give him a solid fist bump or even a slap on the butt. Except, not the latter because… no. The play calling was definitely less conservative than in the last couple of games and that allowed Kaepernick to air the ball out effectively. Kap had a career-best 134.5 passer rating, completing 15 of 24 passes for 235 yards, three TD passes, and zero interceptions. In addition, he had six completions longer than 18 yards. But the best part? He didn’t give up when his first option wasn’t open, something critics (and fans) have been worried about.

It certainly helped that Mario Manningham was back in action, meaning Anquan Boldin wasn’t in double coverage all night long. Kap passed to Manningham often and early and once Washington saw that Manningham had three catches in the first quarter, they couldn't rule him out. And that’s where Anquan Boldin stepped up.

I could watch Anquan Boldin play football all day long. Last night I remembered when I was a little brat when we signed him (I didn’t want someone from the Ravens on my team because I was pouting about the Super Bowl) and I kicked myself. Thank GOD we signed Boldin. Without him… I don’t even want to think about it. Last night he had five catches for 94 yards and two touchdowns. The first TD was a 19-yard pass into the corner of the end zone, the second an amazing catch between two defenders. I turned to my friend and said, “You could throw that exact pass to me 1000 times and I would never catch the ball.” I mean, you know, cause I'm a girl. NO NOT REALLY. Because holy cow, Boldin is so talented.

Also, a shout out to Vernon Davis (and the entire offense) who managed to somehow totally confuse the Redskins defense and was wide open for the final TD of the game. Or as @InstaDerek said on Twitter: “Davis had pitched a tent in the end zone, started a campfire and was roasting a marshmallow by the time the ball arrived.”

Of course, as always, the real props go to the 49ers defense. Redskins Coach Mike Shanahan said they were the toughest defense his team had faced all season. And I believe him. The defense looked fantastic. Ahmad Brooks took his moment in the spotlight for his hit against Drew Brees and turned it into an opportunity to show everyone in primetime just how hard he really can hit—and legally, to boot. (Even though I will argue until I die that hit against Brees was legal.) Brooks had seven tackles and two sacks. And he did it in front of his hometown crowd, which has got to feel good. (Although I read somewhere that it was too cold for his mom to come to the game and that made me so sad! Still, I bet she’s proud of her boy today.)

Aldon Smith also had two sacks and showed that he’s back. In fact, the sacks got so bad (and by “bad,” I mean “good”) that at one point that my friend expressed pity for RGIII. This is the same friend who likes the Cardinals because “they play in that heat.” What? I’ve known her since I was nine years old. Some people you just have to love no matter what. Anyway, what I said to her is that if he wanted his offensive line to do a good job of protecting him, he shouldn’t have talk smack about his teammates after last week’s loss. I’m not saying they let him go down on purpose—no, our defensive guys stepped up and made sure it happened—but I can only imagine that perhaps they were just a little slower to react than before RGIII opened his big, fat mouth.

It wasn’t just sacks that got RGIII down though. He started the game by throwing four incompletions. His sixth pass was an INT—a pass I think we can all agree was pretty much intended for Donte Whitner. And yet, he still can’t figure out how to just take responsibility for his actions saying last night after the game that “people are trying to character assassinate [him].” No, dude. You’re character assassinating yourself. Get it together.

I’d be remiss in my duties if I didn’t recognize that LaMichael James is probably a better punt returner than Kyle Williams was. I didn’t appreciate his behavior at the beginning of the season or his sub-tweets that he claimed weren’t about football but clearly were him whining about not being a part of the game plan, but now that he finally is getting the ball, he’s doing a good job and I liked how aggressive he was out there.

I don’t know what else to say. This was one of those games where even when the score was 10-6 at the half, I was still pretty confident we were going to get the W. We just played better ball. Sure, they’re a mediocre team, but we needed to go out there play well on offense, continue doing what we do on defense, and show the world that we’re in this.

And we are. With the win, the 49ers secured the very last spot in the wild card race. Luckily, our upcoming games are against the 5-6 Rams at home (win), the 10-1 Seahawks at home (I'm not saying anything, lest I jinx it, but okay fine, I think we can 100% win that game), the 3-8 Bucs in Tampa Bay (win), the 2-9 Falcons at home on a Monday night (win), and the 7-4 Cardinals in Arizona (win). Oh wait. I think I just said we’re going to win all of our remaining games. Yay us! But even if we do drop one, that still leaves us at 11-5, which should be plenty to ensure us a spot in the playoffs.

Knock on wood.

(By Daisy Barringer)

Sometimes you need a stress-free win. A win where you’re happy and relaxed the entire game, where even the stupid mistakes aren’t that big of a deal because you know it’s in the bag. I REALLY needed that yesterday. After a crappy weekend, it was literally all I could handle. So thank you to the 49ers for giving me exactly that with a win that was more of a blow out than the score reflects.

The star of the game was probably Colin Kaepernick who returned to the run and found success. His read-option fake to Gore in the second quarter on third and seven ended in a 20-yard touchdown, his first of the season. I wonder if Titans coach Mike Munchak regrets saying that in order to avoid injury, the “less [Kaepernick] runs the better." Looks like he ran and avoided injury, Mike. Bummer for you.

But even though Kap shined in the game (13 of 21 for 199 yards and 68 yards rushing), the entire team gelled, almost seamlessly. Perhaps it just took them this long to reach their stride or perhaps it’s because they were playing an inferior team. That will only be determined in the coming weeks. However, what we saw yesterday can only instill faith that the Niners—with four consecutive wins—are on track despite their slow start.

On offense, I would be remiss if I didn’t give props (no one says that anymore, do they?) to Anquan Boldin whose one-handed grab at the beginning of the game was a thing of beauty. He ended the game with 5 catches for 76 yards and can I just say how sorry I am that I was ever annoyed we picked him up in the offseason. I was still bitter about the Super Bowl loss and I wasn’t thinking rationally. I literally do not know what we do without him. He’s played a huge role in the absence of Crabtree and Manningham (who will hopefully be back shortly after the bye) and he’s also super fun to watch.

Of course, since the Niners really don’t have a No. 2 receiver, that’s given Vernon Davis an opportunity to continue playing a vital role on the offense. He finished the game with four receptions for 62 yards. And sure the Titans managed to hold Gore to only 70 yards on 24 attempts, but whatever because he ran the ball in for two touchdowns. BAM, suckers.

There's literally not one person I really have anything bad to say about. The defense did exactly what they had to do. If Patrick Willis felt like a rookie last week, he seemed to be back to his old self this week with team-high 8 tackles and 1 assist. Justin Smith stepped up with two sacks and Ahmad Brooks had one. Another highlight? Tramaine Brock’s INT.

In fact, take a moment today to head over to SFGate to read Eric Branch’s inspiring story about Brock’s “improbably rise” in the NFL. Brock has three interceptions in the last four games and I look forward to seeing him continue to thrive this season.

Oh, and let’s not forget (like we could) about Kassim Osgood who recovered a muffed punt for a touchdown.

GOD I LOVE FOOTBALL.

Really the only thing to complain about in terms of play that the 49ers seemed to lose their edge in the 4th quarter. In fact, for much of the game it seemed like the Niners were going to shut the Titans out. But even when the Titans did manage to start making plays, it was pretty clear that the Niners had it handled. Also, I don’t begrudge former 49ers TE Delanie Walker that TD.

The biggest bummer of the game? Injuries to both starting safeties, Donte Whitner and (my new favorite as of this season) Eric Reid. They both left the game with lower leg injuries. Whitner tried to come back in, but left shortly thereafter and Reid did manage to come back in, albeit with a slight limp. Overall, doesn’t look like much to worry about.

Up next: The 49ers face the Jaguars in London. I was supposed to go to the game, but I decided to get a puppy instead. (Big life choices over here.) Luckily, I think the Niners can win that one even without me rooting them on in the stands.

Great job to everyone on the Niners. I think we all appreciated the relaxing Sunday. Have fun in London!

(By Daisy Barringer)

I like to use this space to congratulate players who were key to any 49ers victory. And so today, I start this column by thanking the guy whose arm and decision-making changed Sunday's game completely: Texans QB Matt Schaub. I appreciate Schaub’s consistency and his dedication to keeping streaks alive, specifically the one where he’s the first QB in NFL history to throw a pick-six in four consecutive games.

Of course, Schaub didn’t do all of the work. Yes, he made the passes, but it was CB Tramaine Brock who was there to catch them. Two of them, in fact. Both in the first half. Brock is the 49ers’ No. 3 cornerback, but he played like a pro. Right now he’s just filling in for an injured Nnamdi Asomugah (knee) to whom he lost the job in training camp, but after last night’s performance, I imagine there might be a bit of a competition for the spot. After all, there’s nothing like an 18-yard pick-six on the third play from scrimmage to set the tone of the game.

Which over all was a glorious game indeed. Candlestick benefited from our Indian summer. In fact, walking around the parking lot before the game, it was almost—dare I say—too hot. And that wasn’t just because my blood boiled a bit when I saw the exact same two SFPD officers who had lied to and placated me after I was assaulted in September at the 'Stick. They were leaning against a van, smoking cigarettes, taking their same casual “I don’t give a crap” approach to fan security.

In fact, speaking of fan security, I noticed nothing different yesterday. I assumed that Candlestick might step things up a bit after fan violence made the national news two weeks ago, but instead things seemed slacker than ever. I actually walked into the stadium without having my bag—which was filled to the brim (with layers I never needed; I stayed in a t-shirt the entire night)—checked. The security guy looked at it, said, “Wow, you’ve got a lot of stuff in there,” and then waved me through. And sure, the only thing I was hiding in there was a couple of beers, but it easily could have been a gun. (The guy who wanded me did not wand my bag.)

In addition, after getting through security without a second glance, I then walked right into the stadium without ever showing my ticket to anyone.

So let me recap: I could have walked into Candlestick without a ticket and with a gun. Fan safety—it’s totally a priority!

Luckily, I only saw a few fights. For once, people getting totally wasted before the game seemed to curb violence because instead of starting fights, they were falling asleep in their seats. Literally. The guy behind me who spent the entire first half screaming profanities in a way that made me seriously question if he had Tourette’s, was completely passed out—with a string of drool coming out of his mouth—by the half. Which was fine by everyone in my section (including the parent of a 10-year-old boy). Whatever it took to shut him up.

Anyway, back to what’s important: WINNING! Which the 49ers are finally doing. Yes, Matt Schaub’s three INTs were key to the victory—and certainly made the game exciting—but the Niners played well all around.

I’m sure everyone was disappointed when they found out that Patrick Willis wasn’t going to suit up for the second game in a row. And, of course, Aldon Smith is still in rehab, but the Niners D didn’t let that affect them at all. I mean, they dominated. Michael Wilhoite (filling in for Willis) had 11 tackles, 3 for a loss, and NaVorro Bowman (13 tackles) continues to shine. I think also that the D sensed Schaub was coming out scared and took advantage. The Niners defense set the tone and the Niners offense played their part by running the ball and letting the defense do the heavy lifting.

Of course, that’s not to diminish Gore’s performance. He ran 17 times for 81 yards and a TD and certainly would have gotten more touches if not for the fact that the Niners totally ran the score up on Houston and had to give LaMichael James and Kendall Hunter the ball to keep them happy (and Gore healthy). Also, shout out to the O-line who had a great game after stumbling a little bit earlier in the season.

C.J. Spillman also deserves a nod for his huge hit on the kickoff return. Great hits like that are what make football so fun to watch.

The only disappointment of the night was Colin Kaepernick. He only completed 6 of his 15 pass attempts for a total of 113 yards. But since Schaub was doing his best to win the game for us, it didn’t really matter. Kaepernick did just enough, didn’t turn the ball over, and that’s fine by me... as long as his “just enough” isn’t his new “best.”

(Also disappointing, but in a way that’s not his fault, obviously: DT Ray McDonald left in the third quarter with a bicep injury. He’s getting an MRI today, but fingers crossed it doesn’t sideline him.)

Houston fans started pouring out of the stadium sometime in the third quarter and though I would never ever travel to a game and leave early (hell, I would never leave early no matter what), I kind of felt for them. They came all the way to San Francisco, they might as well go enjoy one more sourdough bowl of clam chowder at Pier 39 before they head home. (Seriously though, I talked to a bunch of Texans fans before the game and every single one was staying at Pier 39. They complained about the bars closing early and I was like, “I have no idea what goes on down there after dark.” It’s so weird to me that people come to SF and that’s the picture of the city they take home with them. Can we do something about that or is it destined to be like that forever?)

All in all, a poor performance by Houston’s offense and a great performance by San Francisco’s defense contributed to what was a fun game to watch on a warm Sunday night. With Seattle’s loss to the Colts (how great was that?) and the Niners win, SF is officially back in the NFC West hunt. And I like it.

Next up, the Cardinals at home. I think we’ve got this.

Yes. Yes, they did. 10-0.

The San Francisco Giants won last night's game against the Dodgers, 3-0. Andres Torres, right, and Pablo Sandoval celebrate by jumping in the air. Naturally. The Giants take on the Dodgers again tonight in L.A..

The Giants take on the Dodgers again tonight in L.A. at 7:10 pm.

Hey, did you know that Rob Lowe is a Niners fan? Neither did we. But he, along with scores of other football fans, let their SF love loose after the Niners won the NFC championship game tonight. Here are some fan reactions for your reading pleasure. Enjoy.

I'm having CPR right now. #niners #NFL

— Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) January 20, 2013

Oh. My. Fucking. Super. Bowl.

— daisy barringer (@daisy) January 21, 2013

Newschopper2 has captured a small crowd of #49ers fans gathered in the Excelsior near Persia and Mission streets. twitter.com/KTVU/status/29…

— KTVU (@KTVU) January 21, 2013

Hoping for another championship parade down Market Street! #Niners

— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) January 21, 2013

Why is everyone haranguing me with #Harbowl?#BroBowl rhymes with #ProBowl. It's more clever and I'm taking credit. Suck on them apples!

— Mo Rocca (@MoRocca) January 21, 2013

My grandpa, the biggest #niners fan I've ever known, is smiling down from heaven right now.

— Smash(@I_luv_my_Braves) January 20, 2013

Well looks like SF is gonna have to have TWO Champions this year! #SFGiants #49ers

— George Kontos (@G_Kontos) January 21, 2013

I've never heard you guys cheering on the 49ers before... twitter.com/takamaka51/sta…

— Alex A.J. Johnson (@takamaka51) January 20, 2013

Check out @boobie24dixon in #49ers locker room throwing down #HailState twitter.com/clay601/status…

— Redneck Rockstar (@clay601) January 20, 2013

Dear #49ers: Love the win but need an antacid. #Superbowl

— Sal Castaneda (@sal_castaneda) January 20, 2013

So cool the Harbaughs are playing against each other...The "SuperBaugh!"Who does mom root for?? I'm going SF all the way... #CaliAllDay

— Mario Lopez (@MarioLopezExtra) January 21, 2013

This is what I look like when I'm the happiest girl in all of the land. Niners!!!!! twitter.com/daisy/status/2…

— daisy barringer (@daisy) January 20, 2013

(By Daisy Barringer)

Is anyone else completely and totally confused by the San Francisco 49ers? One week the coaching staff is obsessed with trickery and Alex Smith is throwing interceptions, and the next we’re playing good old-fashioned football and looking pretty damn impressive while doing it.

Hey, I’m not complaining. I just wish we could do what we did last night against the Arizona Cardinals every week. Of course, it helped that the Cardinals totally sucked, a fact made abundantly clear to them when their own fans booed them off of the field at the half. (Again and always: I think it is abominable when fans boo their own team, but as long as it’s not happening at Candlestick, I still can to get a chuckle out of it.) In fact, the Cardinals only managed to avoid a shutout only because of Jay Feely’s 28-yard field goal at the end of the third (and even that was greeted with boos!). Other than that, they were completely ineffective, save for a few sacks.

On the other hand, the 49ers looked spot-on. Alex Smith had a near-perfect game, completing 18 of his 19 passes (one pass that should have been a catch was dropped by Delanie Walker) and in one of just many bizarre quotes from the Niners after the game, told reporters that his lost confidence was in his closet all along. “I found it,” he said. Um, awesome? Maybe going forth, hire a housekeeper so that you don’t misplace a vital key to winning behind a sweaty jock strap. Just an idea.

Smith wasn’t the only one on fire. Michael Crabtree had five catches for 72 yards and two touchdowns. And that first touchdown was unlike anything we’ve seen all season. What made it so special? Alex Smith actually threw the ball into coverage on third-and-goal from the three-yard line. I KNOW. Unheard of! But the best part was when Crabtree went up and got the ball like it was no big deal. Bam. His second touchdown was aided by the fact that Patrick Peterson fell down and just let Crab run it in, but whatever. I’ll take it.

And of course we can’t forget the pass to Randy Moss (who has a crucial block in the previous play so that Crabtree could get a 30-yard gain) in the third. People have questioned if Moss still has it. Well, I think anyone who watched Moss catch the pass from Smith and then bolt down the sideline for the touchdown can answer that. He’s just fun to watch—there’s something elegant about the way he plays—and even though I don’t think Harbaugh is going to use him a whole lot more than he has been, I for one wouldn’t mind seeing a lot more of him in the game plan. The guy’s good; there’s no denying it.

After Moss' TD, the Niners were up 24-0... and I’ll be honest, I started ordering double Ketel sodas and coming up with genius ideas like throwing an End of the World party on December 21st even though I mostly hate people and parties. That’s the problem when your team is playing really well: it tends to pull your focus off the game. "They’ve got this," I thought. And though I was watching, of course, I was perhaps slightly distracted by the booze. (Just so you know: I’ve only stopped watching one 49ers game early and that was in 2003 when we were down 35-0 against the Minnesota Vikings and I was watching all by myself on a tiny TV with no sound in a smoke-filled sports bar in Wilmington, North Carolina and I had no friends because I’d just moved there and, ohmygosh, just thinking about it again makes me want to pour a cocktail, but I won’t because it’s not even noon yet.)

Also, the Weather Channel was on in the bar and it’s a little hard to feel good about rooting for your team when people on the other side of the country are experiencing total devastation. In fact, even today it feels a little yucky to be happy about something like football. Or to be planning my outfit for the Giants’ parade on Wednesday. I mean, I AM happy about football and I’m totally going to the parade, it just feels like dirty. And not dirty in a good way, if you know what I mean. (You know what I mean.)

So yeah, that’s about all I’ve got. The Niners stuck to what they’re good at: Running the ball (although less than I would have expected), short passes, solid special teams, a stellar defense, and a good game plan without a bunch of stupid QB swapping

Speaking of defense, I’d be remiss if I didn’t give a shout out to those guys.

Aldon Smith and his two sacks? God, I love that kid and his freakishly long arms.

A sack each from Navorro Bowman and Ahmad Brooks. Have I made it clear how much I love a big sack? (Gross, Daisy.) Plus, I met Navorro Bowman’s mom in the parking lot at the Jets game a few weeks ago and she was incredibly nice. As was his brother. I felt a little bad when I asked his brother what he did for a living and he\ told me he ran and taught track and I got nervous and said something like, “Oh, well that’s also neat” because can you imagine if you ran track and your brother was a famous football player? That would suck, right? Navorro’s mom swears she’s proud of them both equally though and I totally believe her (not really).

Chris Culliver and Terrell Brown also had outstanding games. I was worried about Larry Fitzgerald, but those two made sure I had nothing to worry about and that’s just how I like it.

Dashon Goldson: That hit on Early Doucet was glorious. I could watch it over and over again all day long. Plus, I love a little payback and Doucet deserved it after instigating a fight with Goldson last year that ended with Goldson getting ejected. I hope he’s feeling it today and, while we’re at it, for the rest of the week.

All-in-all, just a good, fun, clean football game and a very fun 24-3 win.

The Niners are now 6-2. We’re two games up in the NFC West and we have a bye week to just chill out, get healthy, regroup, and get ready for the second half of the season. I think it’s going to be a good one.

Giants win NLDS Game 4. Above: Pablo Sandoval is congratulated by third base coach Tim Flannery after hitting a two-run home run against the Reds in the seventh inning.

(By Daisy Barringer)

I knew the Niners wouldn't ruin Thanksgiving AND Christmas this year. I just knew it. There certainly was a lot at stake when they faced off against the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, however. A chance at the No. 2 seed, beating a division rival, shutting up former 49ers GM Scot "I spell my name with one T' McClouglhan, and last, but the opposite of least: making all of my Christmas Dreams come true.

And while I may have promised Santa or God (which is which again?) that I would be good until 2035, and give money to charity, and never ever fall asleep drunk without washing my face and brushing my teeth again, it was totally worth it. Plus, the world's ending next year anyway, so... take that Santa-God! (Unless it doesn't, in which case, kindly ignore that last sentence.)

By now, you've already devoured all of the recaps and wrap-ups of the game, so I won't bore you with a play-by-play of a game that had my heart rate up for most of the fourth quarter. What I will bore you with, instead, is the fact that I thought I was going to get through this whole holiday season thingy without experiencing any feelings, like the good little WASP that I am. But then, the 49ers, trailing 10-3 at the half, came out and played the kind of second half football we've come to know, love, and, hate to say it: expect.

The eight-play, 75-yard drive, with a 16-yard pass to Vernon Davis (who struggled mightily in the first half) on 4th-and-2 and ended with a Gore TD run… Well, if that doesn't make you believe, there's no helping you.

Pair that with four field goals from David Akers, who now holds the records for most field goals made in a single season (42) and, well… 7 + 12 = the 49ers winning 19-17. Which, you may recall, is the exact score I predicted.

Clearly, it was a very close game that required plenty of beer to calm my nerves. I can hardly talk about the fact that as the Seahawks were closing in on field goal territory and a chance to win the game late in the 4th quarter, and Tavaris Jackson was running for the first down on 3rd-and-3, that Larry Grant came from out of no where, stripped the shit out of the ball from behind, and allowed Donte Whitner to recover it and secure a 49ers' victory.

The win and a 12-3 record. Some might call it a Christmas Miracle.

But it's not just that. It's also smart coaching, a solid offense, a formidable defense, and a special teams that, well, okay: Andy Lee's blocked punt almost lost us the game, but no one can be perfect all of the time.

I looked back at my post after our win against Seattle in Week 1 because I was curious if I'd predicted anything accurately. As you recall, we won that game. And I was happy, but also not happy. I talked a lot about how I didn't like Harbaugh's conservative coaching. And I quote:

“After years of close losses and near misses and not going to the playoffs, Niners'; fans want to see inspired play calling. We don't want two-yard passes and runs that go nowhere. We don't want fie
ld goal after field goal after field goal. We don't want to get to the red zone only to see seven straight run-calls. We want TOUCHDOWNS!”

While it appears I had the 49ers offensive play-calling nailed down pretty much to a T after only sixty minutes of play, I will now say that: I don't care. Okay, I care a little bit. I worry that field goal after field goal after field goal won't be good enough in the post-season, but hey: WE ARE GOING TO THE POST SEASON. So I'll let the coaching staff worry about that, and, for today at least: I&ll just sip my eggnog and be happy it's happening at all. (Gross. I don't drink eggnog. You might as well just smear that stuff straight onto your ass.)

Of course, lest you think I think I'm always right (which obviously I do, but am pretending isn't the case for your sake), I will fully admit: I was also off with a few of my predictions about Saturday's game. I thought our defense would be able to stop Marshawn Lynch and while we did hold Seattle to 126 rushing yards, which isn't shabby, it was the first time in the past 37 games our defense allowed over 100 yards rushing. Even more important, Lynch ran in a 4-yard touchdown that ended the Niners' 15 game streak of not allowing a rushing touchdown.

Which, I'm not going to lie: I am totally okay with. Frankly, that record was giving me more anxiety than it was worth. And more important: the 49ers are still the only team in the league to go 14 games without giving up a single rushing touchdown. So, uh: Yeah, pretty impressive.

But sure, there were some things that didn't go as well as we'd like. Why dwell on that stuff now though. My biggest concern? The health of our myriad of injured players:

>> WR Ted Ginn (Ankle injury during the Dec. 19th Steelers' game.)

>> TE Delanie Walker (Jaw injury after taking a knee to the face—reports are that it's broken.)

>> WR Kyle Williams (Head injury when a-hole Seahawks players illegally DRILLED him on a kickoff return—and then the fans started rudely chanting while he was down on the field. CLASSY!)

>> LB Patrick Willis (Hamstring—Also, not as big of a concern since Larry Grant is doing a good job in his place and we just need Willis healthy for the playoffs.)

But with Ginn, Walker, and Williams out, that means the 49ers have only Vernon Davis and Justin Peele as tight ends, and only Crabtree, Edwards, and Swain as wide receivers.

Hopefully, Atlanta destroys (or even just barely beats) New Orleans tonight, which would give the 49ers the No. 2 seed and take a lot of the pressure off of everyone during next Sunday's game against the St. Louis Rams.

All we can do now is wait and see.

Okay, people. I'm writing this on Christmas. And while I love nothing more than going on and on about the 49ers… It's time for me to go find some merriment. And by merriment, I mean champagne.

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. But, how could you not with a team like this?

Stay tuned for my 49ers at St. Louis preview on Friday.