Thanksgiving Dinner With The Niners: Harbaugh Vs Harbaugh

[H8R]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1321930244' post='881000']


I think it'll be a good test for our O-Line. That's what worries me the most. We seem to have success when the O-Line protects well. It'll be interesting to see what O-Line shows up to play.
[/quote]

The Oline has been improving since Grubbs has came back, the 9ers are great run stuffers. The passing game HAS to be efficient. I see ot as another big week for the TE'S.

[Fryet]

I am concerned about the short week - it will make it tougher on the 49ers since they have to travel. And, of course, the 12th man always makes it difficult to win on the road. The 49ers are unbeaten on the road, though.

As for forcing Alex Smith to throw, check out the stats for the 49er game against the Giants. The 49ers had a pass happy offense in that game, and they did walk away with a 27-20 win. It can be done, but I agree that playing against the Raven's defense will be a huge test for Alex Smith.

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2011111312/2011/REG10/giants@49ers#menu=highlights&tab=analyze

[1/28/01]

[quote name='BenDufusberger' timestamp='1321925573' post='880911']
It sounds like codizzle might be able to fix you up with a streaming HD source. I think he knows a guy that knows a guy .... [img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/268213.gif[/img]
[/quote]
Could be, but my guess is he wants my "insight"

[BenDufusberger]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1321934597' post='881082']
Could be, but my guess is he wants my "insight" [img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/smile.png[/img]
[/quote]

Make him work for it. You'll both come out ahead.

If not , let me know and I might be able to help , but my method is messy and frustrating. I don't know the right guy , I guess.

[ravens world]

i will leave the thinking to u guys all i know is ima eat good and this gonna be a good game dont know who gonna win is 50/50 should be a classic

[SideStep77]

I have learned to always go into Ravens games worried. After some of the mishaps we have had in games we should have won I learn to never get my hopes up too much. It will be a good close game and if we shut out Frank Gore, overcome their defense, and most important, protect Joe. I think we could pull out a win. But we need to do all of those things first

[jordan23]

[quote name='sflegend89' timestamp='1321928975' post='880960']
I live out in Northern California and watch probably more 49er games than anyone on here. If the Niners game doesn't conflict with when the ravens game is on, I'll watch it every week. The Niners are my 2nd favorite team (not saying much because I'm a die hard Ravens fan, but since they are NFC and I live here I can enjoy the 49ers success.).

My HONEST opinion.. Not Impressed. Not to say they aren't a great team because they are very good, but not as good as their record indicates. If you can shut down Frank Gore their offense becomes very predictable and pedestrian (Sort of like our offense if you shut down Ray Rice but we have better wr's). Frank Gore is the key to this game. We need our front 7 to swarm to the ball early and make the Niners beat us through the air. Alex Smith is the west coast's Mark Sanchez. He's the definition of a game manager and that's how they win games. Make Alex Smith become more than the game manager and we'll win. Make him continually have to throw to move the ball and there's no chance for their offense to out score us. Every game I watch Smith relies on Gore and Hunter to keep the D off balance and rack up yards on 1st and 2nd down to make 3rd downs very manageable and Smith can throw check downs for 1st downs.

Stopping their run game is easier said than done though. If any team can do it, it's the Ravens. We're better than every team they've faced so far. They aren't the best team we've faced. Who have they beat Detroit (appears to be overrated now), Giants (Again showing they are overrated), and Cincy (early game before Dalton got it going, still good win).

We beat Houston, Pitt twice, NYJ (overrated). We have beat better teams than they've faced all season. I got Baltimore 24-20 as a fan of both teams.
[/quote]

I liked where you were going until you mentioned a few things where I definitely disagree especially since you mentioned you watch 49ers games.

I think the KEY for the Ravens is to put constant pressure on Alex Smith. Your key to the game is stopping the run game (Frank Gore) but that didn't work for the Giants. They did stop Frank Gore and the run game was blanked but Alex Smith literally won that game. He did enough to win and basically proved he could take over and move the chains and throw TD's. I think the Key is to get pressure b/c in the past he when he gets rattled, he starts to make mistakes. The offensive line has been doing a great job of protecting Alex so he is feeling very comfortable and making his throws.

I also think the fact that the 49ers won 4 out of 4 in eastern time zones (Lions, Bengals, Redskins, Eagles) is a BIG deal. This is difficult for west coast teams especially the W in Detriot at a time when they were undefeated and talk all over the media. Beating the NY Giants was huge as well.

I do agree with you about Cincy but then I can make the argument about Dalton with Alex Smith.

I just think the 49ers defense has been lights out even though they do give a good amount of yards in the air. The KEY for them to win is stopping Ray Rice (feel confident about this one but I think he can do damage with screens) and making sure Torrey Smith doesn't get behind the secondary. The niners run defense has been on BEAST mode....they haven't given up a rushing touchdown this year and they currently have a streak of 32 games of not giving up 100 yards rushing to anyone. Obviously that can change but is says a lot about this unit.

This will be the most physical team the Niners have faced so far and a great challenge. I think traveling and playing on a short week doesn't help a lot but I am pretty sure Jim Harbaugh will have this team fired up.

Should be a great game and honestly I think this game comes down to turnovers. Whoever has the most turnover will lose this game.

I can't wait and the buzz in the Bay Area feels great....must understand it has not been like this since 2002.

Hopefully we all get to see a great game and I just joined this forum to talk football.

[RavensPunkXVX]

I'm more worried about the Colts. Is that bad? haha

I'm with everyone else, we just have to stop Gore and play balanced football. Maybe start with some screens to get our passing game going just to get a rhythm.

I think if it does come down to Alex Smith we can force some turnovers as we did with Dalton.

[codizzle]

[quote name='jordan23' timestamp='1321944441' post='881183']


I liked where you were going until you mentioned a few things where I definitely disagree especially since you mentioned you watch 49ers games.

I think the KEY for the Ravens is to put constant pressure on Alex Smith. Your key to the game is stopping the run game (Frank Gore) but that didn't work for the Giants. They did stop Frank Gore and the run game was blanked but Alex Smith literally won that game. He did enough to win and basically proved he could take over and move the chains and throw TD's. I think the Key is to get pressure b/c in the past he when he gets rattled, he starts to make mistakes. The offensive line has been doing a great job of protecting Alex so he is feeling very comfortable and making his throws.

I also think the fact that the 49ers won 4 out of 4 in eastern time zones (Lions, Bengals, Redskins, Eagles) is a BIG deal. This is difficult for west coast teams especially the W in Detriot at a time when they were undefeated and talk all over the media. Beating the NY Giants was huge as well.

I do agree with you about Cincy but then I can make the argument about Dalton with Alex Smith.

I just think the 49ers defense has been lights out even though they do give a good amount of yards in the air. The KEY for them to win is stopping Ray Rice (feel confident about this one but I think he can do damage with screens) and making sure Torrey Smith doesn't get behind the secondary. The niners run defense has been on BEAST mode....they haven't given up a rushing touchdown this year and they currently have a streak of 32 games of not giving up 100 yards rushing to anyone. Obviously that can change but is says a lot about this unit.

This will be the most physical team the Niners have faced so far and a great challenge. I think traveling and playing on a short week doesn't help a lot but I am pretty sure Jim Harbaugh will have this team fired up.

Should be a great game and honestly I think this game comes down to turnovers. Whoever has the most turnover will lose this game.

I can't wait and the buzz in the Bay Area feels great....must understand it has not been like this since 2002.

Hopefully we all get to see a great game and I just joined this forum to talk football.
[/quote]
Ur defense is ready and im sure they'll show up but your high powered running game hasnt seen a hard hitting defense anywhere near the caliber of ours tbh... Primetime in our stadium i know our defense will be lights out..

I fully expect sizzle to break out of his funk(stats wise) and dominate

[codizzle]

Trying to find perk82 to let him know we are wearing black tops n white pants... According to @1WinningDrive
my man perk will start five different threads to find out which jersey we are wearing

[theblackdog]

[quote name='codizzle' timestamp='1321971569' post='881280']
Trying to find perk82 to let him know we are wearing black tops n white pants... According to @1WinningDrive
my man perk will start five different threads to find out which jersey we are wearing
[/quote]

*laughs* I was about to ask about the jerseys in here because the Gameday link is not up yet for Thursday.

Now I know I'm wearing my Ngata jersey on Thursday

[Twistidfunk]

It was great to see a balanced game against the Bengals. (Actually, I missed the game because I was in Germany but I followed on a smartphone.) After watching the highlites it was one of the best games all season.

Now against the 49ers I am a bit concerned about our defense. They seem to go to sleep fo a few plays a game that really hurts us. It doesn't matter who we are playing it seems even guys we never heard of make plays. Andre Caldwell? Seriously? Tavaris friggin Jackson carved us up real nice recently too. Unacceptable.

At any rate they made the stop at the end of the game so we can all be happy about the win but that game really could have been much scarier. Our defense is a bit of a concern IMO. Bengals had like 400 something yards? WTH? That just does not happen. I really want to see a much better pass rush and from everything I can gather the 49er o-line is pretty darn good. We shall see though. I think the Ravens are really starting to get McPhee on the field more. The guy flat out makes plays.

I noticed Joe was running what looked like more bootlegs and play action and that is something he excels at. Very nice to see. I expect more of that against the 49ers. With Torrey making great plays and Boldin always solid we can see the addition of Evans really for the first time Thursday night. I have a feeling the team wanted to ease him in there. He is the Raven's wild card right now. Gonna be nice when we throw him on the table and I suspect it will come against the 49ers.

Even if Ray Rice is not grinding out 4 yards per carry we still need to run the ball. Keep beating up that d-line and we all know Ray will eventually break one loose like he did against the Bengals vaunted Runn Defense.

Like others, I like the feeling of a home game with a team travelling the continent on a short week. I am also a bit unsure about the 49ers based on their schedule but hey, they won the games they have so they get some credit. But they have not played a team the likes of the Ravens.

The key to this game I feel like is our Special Teams. Got to keep it away from Ginn. He is deadly and could keep the 49ers in the game all by himself on his returns. Our Special Teams have been very weak this season and I hope they can keep it out of his hands.

Ravens- 34
49ers - 23

[OUravensfan]

[quote name='pburnett' timestamp='1321882700' post='880024']
but some of us Raven's fans dont live in B-more anymore.... Oh well.
[/quote]

That's why I live in sports bars on Sunday. And I will again this Thursday night.

[PurpleReign92]

This may have been posted earlier. I don't think that Niners have played a team that is a high octane AFC team. To the advantage of Baltimore Ravens we have not lost yet at home..

[OUravensfan]

[quote name='Marvin49' timestamp='1321916906' post='880766']
Greetings Ravens Fans,

No Trolling here. I'm just as curious about the Ravens as you guys are about the Niners.

Just to give my 2 cents on your upcoming ooponent...

1) Alex Smith has been underrated for a few years now. Thats not to say he's been good, he just hasn't been as BAD as most thing he has. In the final 6 games of LAST season, he threw 8 TDs and 1 INT. His problem is and has always been COACHING. This year, you guys are totally correct that he has been "managing" the games (just don't tell Jim Harbaugh that...he may hurt you). That was true until last week. The Niners came out throwing in each of the past 2 weeks. It almost as if they had pretty much wrapped up the Division and have started to kinda "practice".

2) I've read about games the Niners "almost" lost. Thats not really accurate. The Niners DOMINATED the Seahawks, Browns, Redskins, Cardinals, and Bucs. The games were nowhere near as close as tha scores would indicate. They have gotten into a bad habit of dominating early and then taking their foot off the gas late. Thats also what got them beat against Dallas. They had a 14-0 lead and lost in overtime. The only games that were truly close were Cinci, New York, Detroit, and Philly. Those 4 also featured 4th quarter comebacks.

3) It really easy to simply look at the stats and be really confused about why the Niners are winning. The best way to explain it is Scoreability and Bendability (stats on website I can't recall). Essentially, the Niners score on fewer yards than any other team and force teams to gain the most yards per point scored. Basically, they are very, very efficient and they don't beat themselves. They don't turn the ball over. Its also important to note that the Niners aren't a boring running team. They strive for balance. Additionally, they are INNOVATIVE in the run game. Its not just keep banging your head against a wall. Odd formations, multiple shifts, lining up 3 extra 300 LB players to one side and running the other way....I could go on and on.

4) DEFENSE: Those number a a bit scewed as well. I don't want to compare it to the Ravens D because the Ravens have been doing it much, much longer. they seem lopsided tho for a few reasons....They are SOOOOO good against the run that the other team is unable to run and then passes instead. They then get more passing yards late in games when its pretty much over. At halftime vs the Cards the Niners had 300 yards and the Cards had 52. They are also a league best +17 in turnover ratio. They haven't allowed a 100 yard rusher in 32 games and have yet to allow a rushing TD this season.

5) EVERY team has come into the games saying "stop Gore, you win". Its a trap. It doesn't work. First, the Niners will deploy SEVEN offensive Linemen and then play a 300 LB DT as a FB. When you stack the box, you don't outnumber them. The Giants put...no joke.....TEN men in the box. Thats one of the reasons that Gore was hampered early on. Its also the reason the Niners started throwing the ball early and often and forced the Giants out of that defense. Thats how Kendall Hunter broke loose for a TD late.

6) Patrick Willis and Navorro Bowman are the best ILB tandem in the NFL. Seriously. I love Ray Ray and I can't call another player better than him straight up (Willis is close), but the TANDEM of Willis and Bowman are rediculous. Its not just me saying it either. The NFL is starting to notice.

The Niners are GOOD. The record isn't a mirage. They are an overtime loss from 10-0. Thats not luck.

They CAN be beaten tho.

Weaknesses:

1) They are still learning the offense and defense. Alex and the WRs are very often not on the same page (Braylon in particular...tho he isn't his regular self....he's playing hurt). On D you will see a guy from time to time running WIDE open because someone missed an assignment. Its bad because they leave points on the field, but if they can ever work it out.....look out....

2) They seem to have trouble scoring in the Red-Zone. They are moving the ball between the 20's, but keep bogging down in the red-zone. David Akers is having a great season (until this past week). If the Ravens can put some TDs up, the Niners MAY not be able to keep up.

3) The DBs are good, but not great. Dashon Goldson is a good Safety, but he isn't even sniffing Ed Reeds class.

The best way to beat the Niners? Stay in standard sets (2 wide with a TE), pass the ball (to the TE in particular...Witten ate them up) and hit them just as hard as they are hitting you (something I think the Ravens are more than capable of).

Another thing tho...I've read a few peeps say that you just need to get up by 10 and then make Alex beat you. That doesn't work either. The Niners were down by 23 to the Eagles and never stopped running the ball. The Eagles aren't the Ravens I'll grant you, I'm just saying that you need to thrwo conventional wisdom out the window on this one. Harbaugh isn't conventional.

This should be a great game!! Good Luck!!!
[/quote]

Thanks a lot for that. Very in depth analysis, I saw the 49ers Bengals game and from what I recall, it was a pretty defensive, field position fought game. If our pass rush performs like it did against the Bengals last week, Alex Smith will have more than enough time to pick apart our secondary.

[CapoRocky]

This game almost made me jump off my easy chair when the schedule came out. I remember when we defeated the Saints a few years ago on Thanksgiving. Nothing like sitting there with a full stomach and my favorite beverage while watching our Ravens on prime time.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='CapoRocky' timestamp='1321979555' post='881385']
This game almost made me jump off my easy chair when the schedule came out. I remember when we defeated the Saints a few years ago on Thanksgiving. Nothing like sitting there with a full stomach and my favorite beverage while watching our Ravens on prime time.
[/quote]
Thought this was our first ever Thanksgiving game? Am I mistaken?

Edit - yeah, we've never played on Thanksgiving http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving_Classic. You must have been drinking a lot that day!

[PuRock]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1321979799' post='881389']
Thought this was our first ever Thanksgiving game? Am I mistaken?

Edit - yeah, we've never played on Thanksgiving [url="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving_Classic."]http://en.m.wikipedi...giving_Classic.[/url] You must have been drinking a lot that day!
[/quote]

That's what I thought as well.

I looked up our games against the Saints
2006 - October 29th
2002 - December 8th
1999 - December 19th
1996 - September 29th

So that looks like a nay.

[CapoRocky]

I remember beating them in 2006, in 2009 around Christmas time, and last year. I forgot about the other games. Have they ever beaten us?

[CapoRocky]

I stand corrected. Thanksgiving was always about the Packers and the Lions when I was young.

[FerrariFan87]

We need to stop Gore and double Vernon Davis... most importantly, we need to get back on track pressure-wise and get in Smith's face early and often.

[YotaRaven]

No doubt about it, the Raven shall win and win with gusto!!

[JO_75]

This will probably be the best game all day. Just read the 49ers can clinch the NFC West this week if they beat the Ravens on Thursday and Seattle loses on Sunday to the Redskins.

Can't wait for this game!

[ravens88]

The common Thread with San Fran is that they consistantly put up points they dont get tons of yards but they manage making it count on the score board with solid field position and turnovers equating to points. I think we need to control field position and turnover battle dont allow a short field and do not turn the ball over on our side of the 50 if we do ever turn it over. the 49ers special teams is very very dangerous koch and cundiff better be on point along with tackling Ginn can take it everytime..

[Marvin49]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' timestamp='1321981429' post='881426']
We need to stop Gore and double Vernon Davis... most importantly, we need to get back on track pressure-wise and get in Smith's face early and often.
[/quote]

You also need to watch out for Kendall Hunter and Delanie Walker. Crabtree also had 120 yards in the last game and is strting to play really well.

[Texas9erFan]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' timestamp='1321917706' post='880780']
This should be a wonderful, wonderful game, no matter the outcome.

Two good teams playing one another with a backstory straight out of Hollywood. Opposite coasts, same bloodline, different journeys in getting to this game. The best part? There's no bad blood between the teams. This is just old-fashioned football with only pride on the line. No hatred and nothing but respect for one another.
[/quote]
Dude, you're my hero. Well said!! [img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/football.gif[/img]

[Twistidfunk]

I don't have any issues with the 49ers. Always enjoyed watching them in the 80's/90's.

Not sure if ayone listened to the FAN during lunch but they had a SanFran postgame guy on the show and he said the 49ers are good but they have benefitted from not only a soft schedule but some luck in some pretty deplorable QB play with the likes of John Beck, Skelton, a rookie Dalton early in the season and Tavaris Jackson early on.

I think this is a great point that I have not seen discussed yet. It definitely helps define how well their defense has been playing. With a poor QB a team relies on the run. Sooooo, T-up on the run game. Not saying there is not talent there like someone said Novaro and Willis are sick but they have been fortunate to feast on some poor QB's.

They have had trouble with the likes of Eli Manning and *gasp* Tony Romo....

Should be interesting to see which Flacco shows up. IMO, I think Joe has been playing well, even in the Seattle game so I think as long as he can protect the football while still taking his shots, we can win.

I really don't think the 49ers can pull it out in Baltimore.

[Texas9erFan]

[quote name='Twistidfunk' timestamp='1321987588' post='881593']
I don't have any issues with the 49ers. Always enjoyed watching them in the 80's/90's.

Not sure if ayone listened to the FAN during lunch but they had a SanFran postgame guy on the show and he said the 49ers are good but they have benefitted from not only a soft schedule but some luck in some pretty deplorable QB play with the likes of John Beck, Skelton, a rookie Dalton early in the season and Tavaris Jackson early on.

I think this is a great point that I have not seen discussed yet. It definitely helps define how well their defense has been playing. With a poor QB a team relies on the run. Sooooo, T-up on the run game. Not saying there is not talent there like someone said Novaro and Willis are sick but they have been fortunate to feast on some poor QB's.[/quote]
Hmmm... I don't know who this "San Fran postgame guy" was, but anyone paying close attention to the strength of schedule stats early in the season would know the Niners had (at that time) the toughest schedule of any of the teams that lost fewer than 2 games. As I recall, this was around week 6 or 7.

[quote]They have had trouble with the likes of Eli Manning and *gasp* Tony Romo....[/quote]
Both of those QB's had late comebacks. In Eli's case, he lost. In Romo's case, he tied the game and sent it into OT then beat us with a FG. I sooo want that game back. I kinda hope we see the Cowturds in the playoffs for a little payback.

[quote]Should be interesting to see which Flacco shows up. IMO, I think Joe has been playing well, even in the Seattle game so I think as long as he can protect the football while still taking his shots, we can win.

I really don't think the 49ers can pull it out in Baltimore.
[/quote]
I never know what to think of the Ravens. They beat the Steelers twice and are undefeated at home and that demands respect. But they go on the road and lose to poor teams and lose that respect. I will say that winning in Seattle is tough for any team. That place is beyond loud and for some reason the Seahags just play well there when they suck everywhere else.

I'm not taking the Ravens lightly for this game and I seriously doubt the Niners are taking it lightly either. It will be a slugfest and the best game of the day. Though the Packers/Lions game will be offensively more exciting! Our game will have my full attention and the turkey coma is just going to have to wait.
The Niners have my confidence but it could go either way. [color=#FF0000][i][b]GO NINERS!![/b][/i][/color]

[Twistidfunk]

[quote name='Texas9erFan' timestamp='1321989611' post='881628']
Hmmm... I don't know who this "San Fran postgame guy" was, but anyone paying close attention to the strength of schedule stats early in the season would know the Niners had (at that time) the toughest schedule of any of the teams that lost fewer than 2 games. As I recall, this was around week 6 or 7.


Both of those QB's had late comebacks. In Eli's case, he lost. In Romo's case, he tied the game and sent it into OT then beat us with a FG. I sooo want that game back. I kinda hope we see the Cowturds in the playoffs for a little payback.


I never know what to think of the Ravens. They beat the Steelers twice and are undefeated at home and that demands respect. But they go on the road and lose to poor teams and lose that respect. I will say that winning in Seattle is tough for any team. That place is beyond loud and for some reason the Seahags just play well there when they suck everywhere else.

I'm not taking the Ravens lightly for this game and I seriously doubt the Niners are taking it lightly either. It will be a slugfest and the best game of the day. Though the Packers/Lions game will be offensively more exciting! Our game will have my full attention and the turkey coma is just going to have to wait.
The Niners have my confidence but it could go either way. [color=#ff0000][i][b]GO NINERS!![/b][/i][/color]
[/quote]

Agreed, best game of the day.

Yeah, I didn't catch his name but I doubt I would have remembered it anyway, lol.

You 49er fans have reason to be confident in your team but I have learned one thing in all my years of watching football and that is-- Never get too high on your football team. Very hard to do as a fan. I do it all the time but I also try to remember to remain realistic. The Seahawks and Jags games were just abominations. I thought we would smash 'em up but our offensive coordinator decided to forget about Ray Rice. Our defense played well enough and kept us in those games but our offensive gameplan amounted to a pile of diseased loose hookers.

The 49ers have played well on the road but I really see a disadvantage this week because it is such a short week and our stadium is quite damn near impossible to win in.

The Ravens are looking at this as a must win because it is. The 49ers basically locked up the west so they can afford to lose.

[keebl3rs]

More I think about it, the more I think we're going to be taking a lot of shots down-field early. Don't think the 49ers are built for comebacks.. and I'm sure they're thinking "stop the run" just as we are. Taking shots down field early will not only help open the run game, but give us a chance to jump ahead early and really put the pressure on 49ers offense to have to throw more.

Despite what some 49ers fans are saying, I don't think Alex Smith is going to be able to move that offense successfully without Gore against our D. I know they like the short-passing game with Smith, but our corners have been pretty good with bump and run/press coverage as of late. Pollard / Lewis + Catch over the middle = Nap time.

But who knows.. I wasn't expecting Tavaris Jackson too do anything but throw picks