(By Daisy Barringer)
I'm feeling very doomsday-ish today, so if you're looking for a feel-good Monday morning football read, I'm probably not your girl. And it's not even my fault. I want to be happy! I want to live in a world where flags are only thrown at the other guys and coaches never waste challenges. Alas, sometimes life is cruel. Sometimes life is suddenly one where the SEATTLE SEAHAWKS HAVE THE BEST RECORD IN THE NFL.
And I'm sorry, but I don't see how anyone can be in a good mood when that's the case.
The only thing making today bearable is the fact that the 49ers play the Redskins tonight. And no, I'm not okay with that name, but I don't think it helps matters by pretending it doesn't exist. If that organization want to embarrass themselves—the execs, the coaches, the players, and the fans—by being horribly racist, then I'm going to help them do just that. Ignoring something doesn't make it go away.
Anyway, how much more fun will it be when we beat a racist team tonight? Which, my friends, it is imperative that we do. We MUST win this game or I will crawl into a hole and die because our chances of making the playoffs will disappear in front of my blue eyes. Truthfully, our entire season doesn't statistically rest on whether we win or lost tonight, but basically it does. The Cardinals are on a four-game winning streak and are 7-4. If we lose, we're 6-5. It would take a small miracle to come back from that.
Plus, if we lose to the 3-7 Redskins on Monday night in front of God and everyone It will mean we really truly have regressed since last season.
So let's not lose! And let's take a look at how we can manage that.
The Good
The Redskins are, as I mentioned, 3-7. They're 4th in the NFC East. Technically, we're the better team.
RGIII is struggling. Even better, he threw his teammates and coaches under the bus last week after their loss to Philadelphia by blaming the game plan and the fact that no one was getting open. Nothing like being a “leader” and then blaming everyone else around you. Hopefully his comments alienated his teammates and everyone's performance suffers as a result.
Washington's secondary isn't nearly as good as recent opponents. They allow 275 passing yards a game. Does this mean Kaepernick will air out the ball? It means he should probably try, but who even knows what Roman will do. Part of the problem, of course, is that he just doesn't have anyone other than Boldin and VD to throw to. Manningham needs to step up and make himself a viable target.
Aldon Smith had a bug in the game against the Saints that kept him from performing to his full ability. Look for him to go after RGIII.
Harbaugh likes to come from behind. (That's what she said!) He likes adversity. He enjoys the struggle. He's successfully given his team all of those things, so I just hope now he can use it to his advantage.
The Bad
Oh how the mighty have fallen. Greg Roman was once revered. Now there's talk of him being fired. Of course, that talk is just the media and bloggers, but it still speaks volumes. I don't know if Roman is so paranoid that Kaepernick is going to get hurt that he's managed to stifle the QBs game or what, but his play calling has sucked and we all know it. I expect to see the Niners make some ballsier moves tonight. I just hope that doesn't backfire.
It's effing cold in Maryland or wherever it is the “Washington” Redskins play. Temps are going to be in the low 30s. I'm suddenly so happy I turned down my uncle's invite to go to the game. (That's right. My extended family is Redskins fans. But also Panthers fans. Because that's what happens when you create an expansion team and confuse people.) But enough about me (hahaha), the Niners aren't used to playing in cold weather. Shouldn't be too big of a deal, but something to note.
LG Mike Iupati (MCL sprain) and CB Terrell Brown (ribs) are out. Michael Crabtree is a game-time decision, but I don't expect to see him out there.
The Rest of It
A victory tonight would give the Niners the record for the most Monday Night Football wins in the NFL with 44. Considering we're currently tied with Dallas, that would be some yummy icing on the cake.
The 49ers gave CB Tramaine Brock a 4-year contract extension last week. With Brown out, he's going to make his second start. I think he'l want to do his best to make the Niners proud.
This isn't about the Niners, but I feel so bad for Kyle Williams. Gets signed by KC and then tears his ACL? He's out for the rest of the season. Kid can't catch a break.
But back to the Niners. We need this win tonight. We need it statistically. We need it morally. We need it so I don't crawl into the aforementioned hole and live there for the rest of my life. (But if I do, will someone please bring me wine? And cookies? Thanks!)
Watch San Francisco at WASHINGTON tonight at 5:20 p.m. on ESPN.