By Daisy Barringer

All eyes at Candlestick were on the field yesterday as the 49ers tried to defeat the Arizona Cardinals to win the NFC West. Well, all eyes except the ones that occasionally darted to the board showing the scores of the other NFL games. “Minnesota’s up by 10!” “It’s 20-7, Minnesota!” “Green Bay came back: 17-20.” “It’s tied!” And then as we all filed out at the end of the game over the loud speaker, “Minnesota touchdown. The score is now 34-27!”

Several hundred 49ers’s fan rushed to gather in front of the flat screen televisions by the escalators. Allegedly in the Niners’ locker room, no one headed for the showers. There was still almost eight minutes left to play in Minnesota. That’s a lot of time. Especially with Aaron Rodgers at the helm. And, of course, with 2:54 left in the quarter, Green Bay tied it up again.

Suddenly, this was everything. We held our collective breaths. We swayed nervously back and forth. We said little prayers to whichever God we believe in. C’mon Minnesota. C’mon.

And then, just like that, with three seconds left, Minnesota kicked a 29-yard field goal and: IT’S GOOD. MINNESOTA WINS!

The crowd jumped up and down. We high-fived. Hugged. Forty-Niners fans have never loved the Vikes more.

Because with that chip-shot field goal, Minnesota gave the Niners the No. 2 seed in the NFC and an ohmygod, so much needed bye week.

Thank you, Minnesota. Thank you.

But even more than that: CONGRATULATIONS 49ers. When it counted, you did what you needed to do. It was a slow start, for sure. One that had me frustrated and worried. I mean, the 49ers didn’t get even ONE first down in the first quarter. After 16 minutes, the Cardinals lead 6-0 with 134 yards to the Niners 15.

But then the defense stepped up and, thank god, the offense followed. Colin Kaepernick and Michael Crabtree showed again that they have the potential to be a formidable duo. Yesterday, Crabtree had one of the best games of his career catching eight passes for 172 yards and two glorious touchdowns. Of course, of all of the catches, the one that stands out most was his one-handed snag. Do we want our wide receivers to have to jump for balls one-handed? Of course not. Do we love when they do and come down with the ball? Hell yeah. It’s moments like those that remind us these guys do something most mortals cannot. That their athleticism is like nothing we could ever emulate. And it makes us love them that much more.

Of course, Kap and Crabtree didn’t do it alone. Gore might not have his best game of the year with only 68 yards (48 of those in the second half), but he ran for 1,214 yards this season and his fourth quarter touchdown was also his 51st rushing touchdown, setting a 49ers’ franchise record. The cutest part? Roger Craig even texted him afterwards to congratulate him. Gore has always been the heart of this 49ers’ team. I can’t express how happy it makes me that he is now part of an elite squad. That suffering through all of those terrible years finally paid off. That he has a shot at the Super Bowl. He truly deserves it.

Can you tell I’m feeling a little emotional and sappy today? I can’t help it. I often question why it is I love football so much. Why I claim to enjoy a game that more often than not fills me with anxiety and, at times, anger. But this morning, as I sit here reflecting on what a perfect day yesterday was—watching the Niners beat the Arizona Cardinals 27-13 with my brother by my side—I remember why this team is my passion. How they have the power to ruin my day, but also the potential to make my whole year. Is it healthy? You might not think so, but my therapist says it’s totally fine, so I’m going to trust him since he’s the one whose opinion I pay $150 for each week.

Of course the most emotional part of the game for me wasn’t when the clock ticked down and I knew we’d won the West. It wasn’t even when Minnesota kicked the field goal and gave us the No. 2 seed. Nor was it when my brother came to a football game with me for the first time in years.

Rather, the moment that brought tears to my eyes was when I saw Number 11 trot onto the field at the end of the game. When every fan at Candlestick stood up and cheered “Alex! Alex! Alex!” It was when Alex Smith got the appreciation and recognition he deserved. I may be sappy, yes. But I couldn’t help it. Regardless of which quarterback you think should be on the field, Alex Smith has been nothing but a class act the entire time he’s been a part of the 49ers’ organization. Five different offensive coordinators in five years. Boos from the home crowd. Getting benched by the one coach who had faith in him shortly after being named the NFC Player of the Week. He handled it all with maturity and humility. That may have been the last time he ever takes the field as a 49er. I’m glad he got the opportunity to hear how much many of us love and appreciate him.

Unfortunately, there is one person I simply can’t find anything good to say about in this mini love letter to my team. And we all know who that is: David Akers. Long story short: He missed two first-half field goals (44 and 40 yard) attempts. He’s missed 10 of 19 attempts from 40 yards or more this season. He ranks 30th in the NFL. When the Niners are playing a team like Arizona, we can recover from those missing six points. When we’re playing a team like Green Bay or Seattle in the playoffs, I promise you, those missed attempts may very well cost us the game.

I don’t want to be mean to Akers anymore. I just don’t know if I want him to be our kicker. Harbaugh said yesterday that “It’s his job to make field goals” and they’ll evaluate the position. Akers is a veteran. If we keep him, I hope he proves all of his doubters wrong (aka: EVERYONE). If he stays, I hope he does what he’s paid to do. Kick the ball and get the three points. It seems cruel to drop him now and I could even get behind a playoff redemption story. However, if that’s not the way it goes… hell hath no fury like a Daisy who watches missed field goal attempts in the playoffs.

Oh right: THE PLAYOFFS!!

Yes, I’m like an eleven-year-old girl with all of those exclamation points, but hello: it’s the playoffs! TWO YEARS IN A ROW!!! I DIE!!!!

And thank god for the bye. I mean, seriously. Ricky Jean Francois had an awesome game yesterday with six tackles and a sack. But even he admits that Justin Smith is a key factor for our defense. I personally don’t understand how someone can play with a torn triceps muscle, but my nickname also isn’t “The Cowboy” and I cry when I hit my funny bone.

In general, the 49ers just need time to rest and get ready. We will either face Green Bay, Seattle, or Washington at home on January 12th. I’m not going to state publicly (for now) which team I’d prefer to face, but I truly believe that there is a Niners team who can beat any of the three. They just have to show up and do it.

For today, I will bask in the glory that was yesterday. I will not worry or fret or pout. For today, I will revel in winning the West and the No. 2 NFC seed. I hope the 49ers players and coaching staff are doing the same. They deserve it.

Congratulations to the San Francisco 49ers and all of their fans (especially me… okay fine, an you!). I can’t wait for what’s next.

Happy New Year! When you raise your glass tonight, don’t forget to toast to a team who ensures we’ve got it better than everyone else. GO NINERS!