(By Daisy Barringer)
This week was kind of brutal. The Seattle fans were out in full-gloating force, desperately trying to stoke the flames of the rivalry. It didn't help that two 49ers fans from Point Reyes sent the Chronicle a letter to the editor complaining about the crowd noise giving the Seahawks fans more material and a reason to bring back the whole “Forty-Whiners” nickname. (I would have bet $1000 that letter was satire, but alas, four days have passed and it appears it was real.) Anyway, I've finally managed to put Sunday's brutal loss behind me. And just in time since we're only two days away from playing the Colts at home.
Sunday's game doesn't have all of the drama that the first two games of the season had. Don't get me wrong, we have to win, but I think we can do that without everyone getting ulcers and being mean to each other. If we ignore the fact that Aldon Smith was arrested this morning at 7 a.m. on suspicion of a DUI (7 a.m., Aldon? Really?), then the biggest story seems to be the Colts acquisition of running back Trent Richardson from the Cleveland Browns. Oh, and the fact that Harbaugh was QB Andrew Luck's coach in college, or whatever.
It's kind of nice not to have all of the drama and smack-talk though. It gives us a chance to focus on what we actually love: football.
The Good
Andrew Luck. I mean, yes, he is good, but as mentioned, he played under Harbaugh during his time at Stanford which means Harbaugh understands him. In fact, Luck's play remains very similar to his style at Stanford.
Trent Richardson. Okay. Maybe it's a little weird to put the running back in “The Good” column, but I'm an optimist who hopes that since he hasn't had much time to practice with the team, he won't be a huge threat.
Anquan Boldin. Let's just not talk about last week and instead focus on Week 1 against the Packers. I predict Boldin has a big game. For no reason other than the fact that I really, really want him to.
SF's Run Game. The Colts suck against the run (29th in the league). Gore is just waiting for his opportunity to bust out. I think this will be it.
Getting Our Asses Handed to Us by Seattle. It can only motivate. No one—most of all the players—wants to see a repeat performance of that debacle.
The Bad
Andrew Luck. Yes, he was also in “The Good” section, but I mean: it's Andrew Luck. Dude can pass. Our defense—especially our secondary—needs to be on point.
Reggie Wayne. Speaking of Andrew Luck, he's nothing without a good target. Enter WR Reggie Wanye. However, if the Niners can cover him, it forces Luck to throw elsewhere, which would be a good thing.
Trent Richardson. I feel like maybe I don't understand “Good” vs. “Bad,” but stick with me. I do think the Niners can be great against the run, BUT they've also given up three rushing TDs this year already—so if Richardson does come to play, we might be sad the Colts didn't wait another week acquire him.
Injuries. The 49ers went into Seattle with only one player on the injury report (LaMichael James). They left with ten. Seattle beat us up in every way possible. The good news is that Eric Reid (who suffered a concussion) has been asymptomatic all week and will probably play on Sunday. Thank God. I really love that kid. Justin Smith, Ray McDonald, NoVarro Bowman, Aldon Smith, and Vernon Davis are all well enough to play as well. Ian Williams is sadly out for the season.
Aldon Smith. I don't know what to say about Aldon. I truly believe he wants to be a good guy. That he doesn't want to get in trouble. And yet, he got a DUI this morning. I just hope he plays on Sunday. We need him out there big time. I really hope to see him take down Andrew Luck. But as my friend just IMed me: “I wouldn't want to be there when he's talking to Harbaugh later today.”
The Rest of It
Home field advantage. Check. Although seriously, Niners' fans: learn when to make noise and when to be quiet. It's just NOT that hard.
Being Humbled. Check. The Niners typically come out guns blazing after a loss like the one we suffered last week.
Kaepernick. He was awesome in Week 1 and totally mediocre in Week 2. Which Kap will come out to paly on Sunday? My gut tells me Week 1 Kaepernick; I really do think he lives up to the hype. Time will tell.
It's always interesting when you play a team that's not in your conference who you don't meet up with very often. I watch the Colts, sure, but I don't know them like I know other teams who we meet more often. We're both 1-1. We both want/need a win.
Lucky for us, I think the Niners take this one by a TD or more.
Watch SAN FRANCISCO vs. Indianapolis at 1:25 p.m. PDT on CBS.
