NFL Week 15: Mike Phipps' late delivery

This week is not the end all, be all game for the Niners in 2012. Its a huge challenge not only for Kaepernick but the whole team. Traveling cross-country is tough for any game, even more so for a game against probably the best team in the AFC right now. Even if the Niners were to get blown out, not a huge deal. They got pummeled last year on Thanksgiving and they survived okay.

[A more definite challenge is Seattle the following week. Still, a much shorter flight and facing a rookie QB (who's playing great, though) rather than Brady.]

Falcons v. Giants, well let's see if the Giants can indeed turn it on when it matters (probably will).
Broncos v. Ravens, if Ravens truly are an "elite" D, they'll show it against Manning.
Packers v. Bears, anything left in Chicago?

 

He needs to beat Seattle the following week.

And they do need to wake up on offense. They really have not been good the last two weeks as teams have seen what Kaepernick can do and planned accordingly.

 

Not sure 16-6 is a pummeling. And the Bears might have something left, but not against the Packers.

 

As YG said on one of the recent football threads, people should stop thinking of Baltimore as an elite D. They are not one and haven't been one for a few years.

 

9 sacks and never really threatened (other than one pass play that was called back on a penalty I believe.)

 

I do not disagree.

 

Ravens were pretty decent last year on defense (they had the DPOY in Suggs) but they are complete shit this year. No one who pays any attention is under any allusion they are even good, much less elite this season.

 

Are you illuding to the lack of pass rush or inability to cover?

 

Right. Everybody expects the Niners to lose this game so if they do, it's not the end of the world. If they lose next Sunday at Seattle, that's a different story...

 

Apparently, RGKnee is looking pretty normal at practice today.

The line on that game is moving appropriately.

 

I agree. Not expecting the 49ers to even be close in New England. Not after watching the Pats demolish Houston on Monday night.

49ers should beat Seattle if they expect to be a legitimate Super Bowl contenders. Not sold on the Seahawks being anything beyond average. So SF should expect to win that one if they don't give it away with turnovers.