game 6 - 49ers vs. Lions

Whoa! Now that was a good game to watch. Especially since it ended in victory. What was so satisfying about yesterday's game is how much the 49ers had to overcome: a very loud and boisterous Detroit crowd and the subsequent penalties that came with it, an early deficit, and a slow start to the offense which included a turnover on the 49ers' very first play from scrimmage. Heck, it took awhile for the offense just to get their first 1st down of the game. But the Niners persevered throughout and made the key plays when they counted.

What a defense! They came through time and again, front to back. And against a team in the Lions that were undefeated until yesterday. The defensive line puts on the pressure while stopping the run, the linebackers are fast and instinctive, and the secondary is really meshing together. Whereas there were so many question marks entering the season, it looks like all the pieces necessary for winning are there: the right players in the right system with the right coaching staff. It's been a long time waiting to feel this good about the team!

The special teams continue to make a difference. It seems that last year, I had to hold my breath that nothing bad was going to happen during every punt that came to us; now, it's not unusual to have a spectacular return. And thankfully, the Niners kicking game is rock-solid again this year – perhaps the only steady part of the team for years. Always solid snaps, staunch line play, great kicks by our punter along with excellent coverage that make our opponents go the length of the field, and another steady and reliable field goal kicker. Always appreciated.

As for the offense, it's good to learn on the job, improve every week, and still pile up the wins. To complete a perfect pass on the THE play of the game, on 4th down no less with the game on the line and needing a touchdown – pure bliss! Maybe the particles that were part of the Giants' World Series run last year have settled on the 49ers this year... there's a little something in the air.

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Now for the post-game handshake that shook the world. It's turning out to be the story of the football weekend. It's difficult not to be subjective; Lions fans will feel one way, 49ers fans will feel another, and as for the rest of the fans, perhaps their more objective opinions would give the most perspective. I would like to say that Jim Schwartz's behavior during the game seemed to go beyond proper 'protocol' (his word) during a review of a play red-flagged by Jim Harbaugh. Coach Schwartz's sense of decorum didn't exactly remind anyone of Tom Landry either. Although his voice could hardly be heard above the din of the crowd, Schwartz was shouting some choice words directly at Harbaugh during the replay review by the officials. So maybe what led to the post-game incident actually started a lot earlier.

I'm just saying...