The 49ers’ First Four Games
NFL coaches frequently divvy up their schedules into four-game quadrants, handy during a sixteen-game season. Of course, they want to win four games out of every four, but, barring that, a three-and-one record keeps them on track for home-field advantage come post-season. Two-and-two, especially during the first quadrant, causes coaches some consternation, while one-and-three induces them to rethink entirely their game plans and personnel choices. Meanwhile, most coaches whose teams begin the season with four consecutive losses often call their stockbrokers, realtors, and spiritual advisors. For the 2013 regular season, in inverse order, the 49ers first four:
Game 4, at St. Louis.
The Niners fly halfway across the country to play on a short week. This, an important game under any circumstances, becomes a must-win, even this early in the season, should the 49ers enter the game with a losing record. And, should the Red-and-Gold arrive at the gateway-to-the-gold-fields undefeated, they will still intend to prove that, unlike last year, they can actually beat the Rams, and thus establish some semblance of control in their own division. Also, watching the Rams beat the 49ers provides a prototype for other teams to beat them. Fisher and his staff consistently out-coach other outfits. In many games,
how the 49ers win or lose matters. In this game, 49er fans might well settle for a victory anyhow, anywhere, and by any legal means possible.
Game 3, vs. Indianapolis.
Lodged between two contests against division rivals, this game bears the trappings of a classic trap game. Coaches, veterans, and well-meaning neighbors can tell young players that "every game is important," but young men sometimes require experiential, as opposed to rational, knowledge before they believe. Indy, although perhaps poised for a reversion-to-the-mean season, could nevertheless, based on their early-season schedule, enter this game frisky, confident, in fine fettle. The 49ers, meanwhile, will have played two NFL powerhouses back to back under intense media scrutiny. Regardless of their record before the contest, it will bode well for the remainder of the season if the 49ers, beyond merely defeating the Colts, dispatch of them in a business-like manner.
Game 2, at Seattle.
Many 49er fans will probably pay scant attention to this game. In fact, since the two co-favorites for NFC dominance will clash on a Sunday night in prime time, most of the 49er faithful will likely find better things to do that evening than to watch this slugfest. Seriously, this game will show, more than even the Green Bay contest, the adjustments that the 49ers' staff has made during the off-season. The 49ers will not just want to beat the high-flying Seahawks, but to smack them down, Boeing-worthy hometown noise notwithstanding. On the other hand, should the Seahawks handle the Niners with ease, cries will arise from the faithful to bring back Alex Smith immediately, 2014 early-round draft choice from K.C. be dashed. If the 2013 season evolves the way we hope, this may be the only game all year that features the 49ers as underdogs. Expect them to respond accordingly, with feral junkyard grit.
Game 1, vs. Green Bay.
Arguably, the 49ers played their two most impressive games of the season last year against Green Bay. Do our boys have the Packers' number? The Packers will desperately want to prove otherwise, and will attempt to use this season opener to launch themselves into a Super-Bowl drive. Green Bay added some genuinely talented running backs during the draft, and, with a revived O-line, will test the Niners' revamped run defense. And, of course, the brilliant Aaron Rodgers and his aerial attack will put the 49ers' new safeties to the task. The Packers will point to this game all off-season, both to beat a chief NFC rival and to secure home-field advantage for a possible future playoff game. Yes, teams with high aspirations think that far ahead. And, by the way, rest assured they have studied up on how to stop Colin Kaepernick. Contain the running Kaep they might, but will they stop the rest of the Niner offense? The 49ers will probably not overly risk their starting QB's health this early in the season. Watch for them to enfold in their attack more wrinkles from other contributors. Finally, should the 49ers beat the Packers methodically in a no-drama game, then, rest of the league, watch out!
The first four games of any NFL season can tell us a great deal about each team's prospects. As the old saying has it, "you can't win the Super Bowl during the first four games, but you can lose it." The 49ers this year play two NFL powerhouses and two possible up-and-comers during that crucial first month, an early slate that will well try the Prospectors' mettle. Expect the team to have their picks and shovels ready, their hats pulled low, and their Levi's hiked up. Not only whether they win or lose, but how the Niners do so, will clue us toward the direction of the remainder of the season. In 2013, particularly, those first four games loom as harbingers.
The opinions within this article are those of the writer and, while just as important, are not necessarily those of the site as a whole.
-
Steve
I am coming with a group from Houston for the Oct 6th 49ers-Texans game. How is the tailgating scene there, and are there other visitor team groups that party with y'all? We're very excited about visiting there for the first time.
Aug 15, 2013 at 2:18 PM
-
Mike
I liked the inverted order. It forces you not to skim on what you are reading - Good analysis too! The first month will be great fun to watch (especially if we are winning!) Go 9ers!!!!
Jul 27, 2013 at 2:39 PM
-
Thomas
Three things.
1. I agree on the inverse order, while creative and causes people to pay attention more than your standard article in some ways, it is a distraction. I immediately began reading upside down which is not healthy lol.
2. Other than item 1, your commentary was absolutely dynamite and so well written. I have such an understanding of things I did not have before. Even reading upside down. Thank you.
3. I wonder if the "Prospectors" might enter this season with their heads scrambled and not as focused as they must be in this coming incredibly challenging, and possibly historic, year.
Is that a subject worth writing about by you? Do they want it? Really want it?
Thank you very much. Go Niners!!!
Jul 15, 2013 at 7:03 PM
-
Matt
I'm a little confused by the inverse order. Is there a reason why you did it that way? It makes following the context more difficult when you have to refer to games you haven't talked about yet.
Jul 14, 2013 at 1:36 PM
More San Francisco 49ers News
49ers DL experiment reaping rewards through three games
By Rohan Chakravarthi
Sep 24
The San Francisco 49ers have started off strong to begin the 2023 season, winning of each their first three games while scoring at least 30 points a game and allowing under 15 points per game on average.
Defensively, the 49ers came into the season with a strong roster, but a couple of questions, as they had lost key depth pieces while entering the season with a new defensive coordinator.
While the majority of the defensive alignments have been similar, the 49ers have increased the usage of five-man fronts, experimenting with the implementation of Javon Kinlaw alongside Arik Armstead and Javon Hargrave on the interior.
Thus far, the early rewards have been plentiful.
Through three games, the trio has combined for 32 of San Francisco's 79
49ers teammates on underrated Brock Purdy: He's doing everything needed to win football games
Second-year quarterback Brock Purdy continues to help the San Francisco 49ers rack up wins. While he has yet to lose a regular-season game in his pro career, there are still those who doubt the 23-year-old, saying that he is a product of a quarterback-friendly system or looks better than he is because of the plethora of playmakers around him.
On Thursday, one of Purdy's teammates was asked about the debate surrounding the quarterback's legitimacy.
"All Brock's done is gone out there and win," tight end George Kittle responded. "He does a great job with that. You can watch the tape from this last game against the Giants when he was pressured, like, 31 or however many snaps that was, and he
Brock Purdy on pace to be 49ers' first 4,000-yard passer since Jeff Garcia
Since the turn of the century, there have been 179 single-season quarterback performances of at least 4,000 yards. The 49ers, as fans well know, have but one—Jeff Garcia's impressive but futile 4,278 yard effort in a 2000 season that saw SF go just 6-10. Since then, that franchise high-water mark has gone untouched. There have been a few other contenders to rally around in that span—Alex Smith, Colin Kaepernick, and Jimmy Garoppolo, but each have fallen short of that historic mark.
Brock Purdy, though, will at least threaten to meet that lofty expectation. With his latest 310-yard, two-touchdown performance, Purdy finds himself on pace for a 4,171-yard season in 2023. His key trait has been his efficiency; so far this year, he's completed 67.0% of his passes, and
49ers run defense faces first real challenge vs. Cardinals
By Rohan Chakravarthi
Sep 30
The San Francisco 49ers have dominated through three games this season, outscoring opponents 92-42 en route to a 3-0 record, which only has been matched by two other teams in the NFL thus far.
Through three games, the 49ers have started strong, forcing opponents to implement more of a pass-heavy approach, while their opponents haven't been strong rushing teams as well.
In Week 1, the Pittsburgh Steelers threw the ball 46 times, rushing just 10 times in a 30-7 loss to San Francisco. The Los Angeles Rams had 55 passing attempts and 22 rushes in Week 2, while the New York Giants had 33 passing attempts to 11 rushes in Week