After two weeks of competitive football and a drastically improved offense, the 49ers are being taken a little more seriously than they were a year ago. Take for example, a Sports Illustrated writer who came to the 49ers/Rams game on Sunday, set to write about Marc Bulger and the Rams. By the end of the game, he was tracking down a different angle and talking to 49ers coaches and players.
Success breeds mpre success, and that’s what head coach Mike Nolan has witnessed from his team after two games down.
“I think there is a real belief by our players that they are getting there,” said Nolan.
The 49ers played collectively and explosively in all fronts. Maurice Hicks broke off a kickoff return for 59 yards to pave the way on special teams, Antonio Bryant hauled in a 72-yard touchdown strike from Alex Smith, and the defense added six sacks to the stat sheet with Marques Douglas forcing a fumble on one.
Playing without two starters, the offensive line opened lanes for Frank Gore to rumble and tumble for 122 yards on 29 carries while staving off an aggressive Rams defensive front without conceding a single sack.
For the second week in a row, the 49ers also showed an ability to overcome their mistakes. While the Arizona Cardinals withstood the 49ers comeback attempt in week one, San Francisco was able to surpass their mistakes with a victory in week two. After Gore fumbled going in for a score and the 49ers fell to a 10-3 halftime deficit, the second-year back rectified that loss with a 32-yard touchdown run to open the third quarter and a strong ground attack to control the clock in the final minutes and cinch the win.
The 49ers face a stronger foe this week in the Philadelphia Eagles, a team that had no problems ruthlessly capitalizing on 49ers errors in a 42-3 romping at the start of the 2005 season.
“You can over come things against some, and against others you can’t,” said Nolan. “I believe this week going into the game one of the things I’ll stress is that. We have got Philadelphia this week, let’s make sure we understand that with the better teams you face, turnovers can be more costly than against teams you can get back into the game in. That’s not to discredit the team we beat, but I think everyone realizes the Philadelphia Eagles as a pretty good football team. The others are trying to get where others are already established.”
In that lopsided game in Philadelphia, the Eagles scored touchdowns off of two Tim Rattay interceptions and were on their way to score off a third when Marques Douglas forced a fumble.
Gone from Philly is 49ers former teammate Terrell Owens, who also punished the 49ers defense with five passes for 143 yards, including two touchdown passes.
However, the Eagles maintain explosive playmakers on offense, starting with their quarterback Donovan McNabb who is second in the NFL in passing yardage only to Peyton Manning with 664 yards. McNabb finished the Giants game 27 of 45 for 350 yards with two touchdowns to become the seventh quarterback in NFL history to pass for over 20,000 yards and run for over 2,500 in a career.
Wide receiver Donte Stallworth, picked up via trade, leads the team in receiving yards with 11 catches for 222 yards and two touchdowns. Brian Westbrook remains lethal out of the backfield with 124 yards on 26 touches against the Giants, but a fumbled ball helped the Giants stick around in a game that would eventually go New York’s way in overtime.
Defensively, the Eagles steadfastly went after Giants quarterback Eli Manning, sacking him 8 times to increase their yearly sack total to 13. Defensive end Trent Cole notched another two sacks to take the team lead with four, but his personal foul penalty in the final seconds set the Giants up with a 35-yard Jay Feely field goal to send the game into overtime.
The Eagles sack crusade suffered a harsh blow when Jevon Kearse left the game with knee injury that was announced on Monday to be season ending. The Eagles soar into San Francisco on Sunday, eager to play hard for their fallen teammate and to negate the bitter taste of allowing the Giants to overcome a 24-7 deficit and take the game with a 30-24 overtime defeat.
But they'll land on unfriendly soil and face a fortified and stronger opponent than they did in 2005.
Success breeds mpre success, and that’s what head coach Mike Nolan has witnessed from his team after two games down.
“I think there is a real belief by our players that they are getting there,” said Nolan.
The 49ers played collectively and explosively in all fronts. Maurice Hicks broke off a kickoff return for 59 yards to pave the way on special teams, Antonio Bryant hauled in a 72-yard touchdown strike from Alex Smith, and the defense added six sacks to the stat sheet with Marques Douglas forcing a fumble on one.
Playing without two starters, the offensive line opened lanes for Frank Gore to rumble and tumble for 122 yards on 29 carries while staving off an aggressive Rams defensive front without conceding a single sack.
For the second week in a row, the 49ers also showed an ability to overcome their mistakes. While the Arizona Cardinals withstood the 49ers comeback attempt in week one, San Francisco was able to surpass their mistakes with a victory in week two. After Gore fumbled going in for a score and the 49ers fell to a 10-3 halftime deficit, the second-year back rectified that loss with a 32-yard touchdown run to open the third quarter and a strong ground attack to control the clock in the final minutes and cinch the win.
The 49ers face a stronger foe this week in the Philadelphia Eagles, a team that had no problems ruthlessly capitalizing on 49ers errors in a 42-3 romping at the start of the 2005 season.
“You can over come things against some, and against others you can’t,” said Nolan. “I believe this week going into the game one of the things I’ll stress is that. We have got Philadelphia this week, let’s make sure we understand that with the better teams you face, turnovers can be more costly than against teams you can get back into the game in. That’s not to discredit the team we beat, but I think everyone realizes the Philadelphia Eagles as a pretty good football team. The others are trying to get where others are already established.”
In that lopsided game in Philadelphia, the Eagles scored touchdowns off of two Tim Rattay interceptions and were on their way to score off a third when Marques Douglas forced a fumble.
Gone from Philly is 49ers former teammate Terrell Owens, who also punished the 49ers defense with five passes for 143 yards, including two touchdown passes.
However, the Eagles maintain explosive playmakers on offense, starting with their quarterback Donovan McNabb who is second in the NFL in passing yardage only to Peyton Manning with 664 yards. McNabb finished the Giants game 27 of 45 for 350 yards with two touchdowns to become the seventh quarterback in NFL history to pass for over 20,000 yards and run for over 2,500 in a career.
Wide receiver Donte Stallworth, picked up via trade, leads the team in receiving yards with 11 catches for 222 yards and two touchdowns. Brian Westbrook remains lethal out of the backfield with 124 yards on 26 touches against the Giants, but a fumbled ball helped the Giants stick around in a game that would eventually go New York’s way in overtime.
Defensively, the Eagles steadfastly went after Giants quarterback Eli Manning, sacking him 8 times to increase their yearly sack total to 13. Defensive end Trent Cole notched another two sacks to take the team lead with four, but his personal foul penalty in the final seconds set the Giants up with a 35-yard Jay Feely field goal to send the game into overtime.
The Eagles sack crusade suffered a harsh blow when Jevon Kearse left the game with knee injury that was announced on Monday to be season ending. The Eagles soar into San Francisco on Sunday, eager to play hard for their fallen teammate and to negate the bitter taste of allowing the Giants to overcome a 24-7 deficit and take the game with a 30-24 overtime defeat.
But they'll land on unfriendly soil and face a fortified and stronger opponent than they did in 2005.
