Now or never for the 49ers; Oakland Raiders vs. San Francisco 49ers preview
There are only so many times in the NFL when you can say ‘ah, we’ll get em next week.’
It’s only a 16-game season, so what is the point of no return? The 49ers are 0-5 after they were an undisputed pick to win the weak NFC West. They’re very much alive mathematically as they’re three games behind the Arizona Cardinals for the division
lead. However if a number like 8-8 or 9-7 will take the division, the 49ers simply can’t keep losing. They need some wins and fast.
One bright area in which the 49ers can look is last year’s Tennessee Titans. The Titans started the season 0-6 last year and nearly made the play-offs. After making the quarterback switch from Kerry Collins to Vince Young, the team received a huge spark
and finished the season at 8-8. In San Francisco though, coach Mike Singletary has not given any impression that he’d switch quarterback. Probably the only reason for that is Alex Smith’s backup is a bust of a number one pick, David Carr. That label is the
same one Smith’s now trying to avoid, having been drafted first overall like Carr was for the expansion Houston Texans, when he fizzled out.
Meanwhile the Oakland Raiders have their share of problems as well, but they’re 2-3. Bruce Gradkowski provided a little spark at quarterback, replacing the ineffective Jason Campbell in Week 2, and the Raiders are coming off a huge upset over San Diego.
They can now bring the 49ers to the point of a lost season with a win on Sunday.
The 49ers simply have to stop turning the ball over. The 49ers are at a minus 10 turnover ratio, among the worst in the league. Alex Smith has been erratic and their defence has not been the fearsome bunch they were last year. The 49ers have shown some flashes
of what they could be, but flashes don’t win football games. Smith needs some help from his receivers to get things turned around. He needs Michael Crabtree to perform to his potential and for Vernon Davis to keep being that reliable safety valve.
This is a running team, and Frank Gore has to be the 49ers' biggest offensive weapon. The 49ers are ranked 30th in rushing this year, which is hard to imagine. However when your offensive line is filled with two rookies, even if you’re Frank Gore,
that can make it tough. They have a chance to get on track this week though, as the Raiders are ranked 31st against the run.
The Raiders will look to run the ball, as Gradkowski has not practiced all week and is questionable for Sunday. Campbell has his starting job back for now and he’ll have to begin being the ‘saviour’ he was seen as when he arrived in Oakland.
Oakland’s priority should be to run the ball, as Darren McFadden and Michael Bush should get most of the work. McFadden was playing great football before injuring a hamstring in Week 4. If he’s at 100 per cent, he can be a huge help.
One team’s season is on the line Sunday, even in Week 6. The 49ers have to get things turned around and they have the Raiders at home. The Raiders are not a good road team and they’re facing a desperate San Francisco team. Kickoff is at 4:00 pm Sunday from
Candlestick Park in San Francisco.
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