San Francisco Gets Defensive on National Television

In its biggest game on the biggest stage it has seen in the last ten years, the San Francisco 49ers showed the National Football League and a prime time television audience that they are indeed back as an elite team.

San Francisco improved to 11-3 and stayed in second place in the National Conference (behind 12-1 Green Bay). They are tied with New Orleans but hold the tie breaker that would give them a first round bye and home field for their first game.

They did it with a defensive statement, the likes they have been delivering all season.

Hobbled by a high ankle sprain, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger completed 25 of 44 passes for 330 yards but was intercepted by the 49er secondary three times. He also fumbled once which led to a 49er score. With the running game a non factor, (Rashard Mendenhall had just 64 yards on 15 carries), a hobbled Roethlisberger could not solve the stingiest scoring defense in football when it counted the most.

San Francisco took a 3-0 lead in the first quarter on a 22 yard field goal by David Akers. The 3-0 lead held up until late in the second quarter when Akers again connected on a kick, this one from 38 yards, giving San Francisco a 6-0 lead at the half.

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While the 49er offense was not dominant, it did enough to move the ball, giving Akers the chance to put points on the board.

After Pittsburgh got on the board in the third quarter, a 51 yard field goal by Shaun Suisham, San Francsico then took over the game.

They took possession following the Steeler field goal and drove 79 yards on just five plays, culminating in a one-yard touchdown pass from Alex Smith to Vernon Davis.

Pittsburgh tried to answer back but missed a 48 yard field goal attempt as the third quarter came to a close.

In the opening minutes of the fourth quarter, San Francisco put the game away when Frank Gore scored from five yards out to give the 49ers a 20-3 lead.

Game over.

The defense would not let Pittsburgh get close again.

The sometimes maligned 49er offense did just enough to stay ahead of Pittsburgh. Smith was only 18-for -37 for 187 yards but once again he did just what the offense needed. He played mistake free football and moved the chains.

That will be the calling card for San Francisco as the playoffs roll around. Don’t make offensive mistakes and let your defense lead the way

By Don August
ProFootball-fans.com San Francisco 49ers Correspondent