SB Nation Bay Area - 49ers vs. Cowboys: Tony Romo Brings Dallas Back In Regulation, Beats San Francisco In OThttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48817/bayrea-fave.png2011-09-20T11:58:05-07:00http://bayarea.sbnation.com/rss/stream/21877762011-09-20T11:58:05-07:002011-09-20T11:58:05-07:00Week 2 NFL Scores and Results: Cardinals Impress, Rams Show Good Things, But NFC West Falls Again
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<p>After one week of NFL action, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> found themselves in a pretty good place, at least in the NFC West. They'd just beaten the 2010 division winners, and the rest of the division looked as bad as advertised against their respective opponents. We've got week two in the books now, and the 49ers outlook shouldn't be any different ... really, it should probably be better. The way they played, coupled with the way the rest of the division played, shows, at worst, a steady course and at best, an upward trend.</p>
<p>And that's with all four teams in the division losing. Go figure.</p>
<p>For San Francisco, they have only themselves to blame for their loss, but they did look an awful lot better than most gave them credit for. Despite the fact that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a> hit the nail right on Vegas' three-point spread, the 49ers held command of that game through the first three quarters, but things broke down in the fourth. That's more than can be said for the rest of the division, and the Cowboys are a good football team. It took broken coverage in overtime to bring them down, and they should feel good about that.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> were on the losing end of a 49ers win in week one, and were on the losing end of a <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> massacre in week two. Seattle gave up 300 yards to <span>Ben Roethlisberger</span> and two rushing touchdowns to a pair of running backs. Those are the kind of numbers that one usually expects of the Steelers, but the Seahawks offense just could not keep up at all. They were blanked, losing 24-0.</p>
<p>Tavaris Jackson didn't look terrible this time around, but he failed to inspire much confidence with his lack of yardage, going 20-for-29 for 159 yards with no scores and no turnovers. He led the team in rushing ... with twelve yards. <span>Marshawn Lynch</span> had eleven yards rushing, and <span>Ben Obomanu</span> led the team in receiving yards with 35 of them. So it was not at all a good game for the Seahawks, who find themselves in a much worse place than 2010, especially in the 49ers' eyes, because they've already beaten them.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> looked good on Sunday, as they did in week one. <span>Kevin Kolb</span> was able to execute offensively, with 250 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. They actually held the lead late into the fourth quarter, but saw it evaporate when the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Washington Redskins</a> were able to take the lead with a 34-yard field goal from <span>Graham Gano</span>. Arizona got the ball back with under two minutes to go, but <span>Chansi Stuckey</span> fumbled the ball and that allowed the Redskins to seal the deal. <span>Rex Grossman</span> threw for just under 300 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.</p>
<p>It was a positive game with a sickening ending, and the 49ers find themselves looking at the Cardinals as their biggest threats right now, considering the similarities between the two and the fact that they're both 1-1. Arizona has the chops to execute offensively, but they still have a lot of work to do defensively to keep themselves ahead in football games. An eight point fourth quarter lead should be somewhat comforting.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams">St. Louis Rams</a> played on Monday Night Football against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a> and found themselves on the losing end of a 28-16 Giants win. <span>Eli Manning</span> had 200 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, while <span>Ahmad Bradshaw</span> and <span>Brandon Jacobs</span> combined for 109 yards on the ground. Those are some good stats, but they aren't the most impressive of the game, as it happens. <span>Sam Bradford</span> looked like a pretty darn good quarterback for a good portion of the game.</p>
<p>Bradford threw for 331 yards and had a touchdown against no interceptions on Monday night, but he did throw the ball an awful lot. Connecting on 22 of his 46 pass attempts, the second-year quarterback looked good everywhere except the red zone. Once St. Louis got there, they were simply lost. They couldn't get anything done there. That, along with two fumbles lost and a pair of sacks for the Giants, the Rams couldn't keep up.</p>
<p>So for the 49ers, who have to be kicking themselves after losing their game on Sunday, the division is well within reach as they share the top spot. Once again, they should be feeling good about their place in the NFC West.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2011/9/20/2438231/week-2-nfl-scores-and-results-cardinals-impress-rams-positive-nfc-west-fallsJames Brady2011-09-19T18:41:59-07:002011-09-19T18:41:59-07:00Braylon Edwards Injury: GM Trent Baalke Classifies Knee As Day-To-Day
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<p>The San Francisco 49ers are struggling with wide receiver injuries at the moment, but the team got some good news on Monday when they found out that Braylon Edwards' right knee injury probably won't cause him to miss any game time. According to Cam Inmane, <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/CamInman/status/115942178680868864">49ers general manager Trent Baalke revealed that an MRI on Edwards' knee shows that it is "day-to-day."</a></p>
<p>Edwards suffered the injury during the first quarter of the 49ers' 27-24 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. He left the field and was listed as questionable for the rest of the game. He did not return.</p>
<p>The 49ers also played without receiver Michael Crabtree (foot injury) on Sunday, and the loss of Edwards only further depleted the team's receiving pool. The passing game, however, wasn't the reason for the team's loss as quarterback Alex Smith connected on two touchdown passes during the game.</p>
<p>The return of Crabtree and Edwards, though, should help the team moving forward. No estimate has been set for Crabtree's return yet, but Edwards should be back in practice within a few days as he nurses his day-to-day knee injury.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2011/9/19/2436801/san-francisco-49ersbraylon-edwards-knee-injury-trent-baalke-michael-crabtreeNikil Selvam2011-09-19T06:01:34-07:002011-09-19T06:01:34-07:0049ers' Vernon Davis Doesn't Speak Out 'Against' Jim Harbaugh's Gameplan, But He Probably Should Have
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<p>After the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> squandered their two-score lead over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a>, tight end <span>Vernon Davis</span> had a few things to say regarding Jim Harbaugh and the team's offense. More specifically, Davis talked a bit about how he was being used - namely how he was kept in to block against linebacker <span>DeMarcus Ware</span>. When asked whether or not he expected that matchup, he responded with the bit below:</p>
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<p>I didn't think that was going to happen. I thought I'd be running a lot of routes, especially because their secondary was banged up and I thought we could take advantage of them in that aspect. But, like I said, it's up to the coaches each week to decide what they want to do. But no, I didn't think I'd be up against Ware like that.</p>
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<p>It's not exactly a condemnation of Harbaugh's offensive plan for the game, but it is certainly somewhat contradictory. Davis clearly had a different picture of what was going to happen, but he's doing the right thing in deferring to the coaches and following orders, at least when it comes to handling the media.</p>
<p>Davis would also go on to reference the team's need to keep their playmakers - in other words Davis - involved no matter what happens. It's a soft lob at Harbaugh, but again it's not speaking "against" the coaches like some headlines you may have read. He's not a player maligned and angered by how he's being used ... he's matured into a guy who will do everything that is asked of him.</p>
<p>But he is right on the ball here. The Cowboys had a struggling secondary and Alex Smith was mostly on-point for the night. Save for the fact that the offensive line probably didn't give Alex enough time to light up any defense, Davis certainly should have seen more looks, and staying in to block on at least ten plays is just too much for a playmaker of his caliber. His blocking skills are among the best of all tight ends, but so is his physicality and receiving ability.</p>
<p>He should take every opportunity to let Harbaugh know that this offense can do good things, and there's nothing wrong with a player putting that kind of spotlight on himself and saying "If you want good things to happen, get me the football." Davis has earned that right to say things like that, and though he's being a good soldier when it comes to the media and press conferences, his gentle lobs are ringing loud and clear to Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman.</p>
<p>Or at least they really, really should be.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2011/9/19/2434806/49ers-vernon-davis-doesnt-speak-out-against-jim-harbaughs-gameplan-but-he-probably-shouldJames Brady2011-09-19T05:30:40-07:002011-09-19T05:30:40-07:00Jim Harbaugh FG Decision Potentially Cost 49ers Victory Over Cowboys?
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<p>Nursing a 21-14 lead, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> managed a short drive into Dallas territory early in the fourth, mostly off an Alex Smith 12 yard scramble. <span>David Akers</span> then kicked a 55 yard field goal to give the 49ers a ten point lead with eleven minutes to go, putting the onus on their defense to finish this contest off.</p>
<p>Except ... there was a flag on the play.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Cowboys</a> committed a 15-yard penalty on Keith Brooking committing leverage on the placekick, which would've set up San Francisco with first and ten at the Dallas 22. The 49ers would've enjoyed excellent field position and could've had a chance to increase the score up to 28-14, maybe make sure it was still 24-14. Most importantly, they'd get to run clock.</p>
<p>But 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh declined the penalty. And it's still unclear why.</p>
<p>Harbaugh was probably concerned that the Niners ofense would struggle if he kept them in the game and didn't want to risk a future Akers field goal on the drive sailing wide. He appeared to have confidence that his defense could hold a ten point lead.</p>
<p>Whoops. The Niners offense stagnated on its next two (and final two, as it turned out) drives of the game. You'd think there would be no correlation between the decision to kick the field goal and the offense, but Harbaugh "playing it safe" might have played a factor in how Dallas was able to methodically march down the field twice and tie things up before regulation. Harbaugh might need to have more confidence in his offense if he plans on transforming them as a unit in the long-run.</p>
<p>For more on the 49ers,<a target="_blank" href="http://ninersnation.com"> head to Niners Nation</a>.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2011/9/19/2434821/jim-harbaugh-field-goal-penalty-decision-49ers-vs-cowboysAvinash Kunnath2011-09-18T17:57:48-07:002011-09-18T17:57:48-07:0049ers Stagnate In Fourth Quarter And Overtime, Lose To Cowboys 27-24
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<p>All the stories will surround the comeback by <span>Tony Romo</span> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a> coming up with 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter and overtime. Not as many will focus on the offensive stagnation of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> that gave Dallas the opportunities to tie and win the game.<br><br>In the fourth quarter and overtime, San Francisco picked up two first downs and moved the ball a total of 26 yards on three drives. San Francisco punted the ball twice and settled for a <span>David Akers</span> 55 yard field goal. Jim Harbaugh didn't seem to have enough confidence in the 49ers offense; when Dallas committed a penalty on the Akers field goal that would have set up the Niners deep in Dallas territory, Harbaugh declined the penalty and took the points. It's a curious decision that will certain receive scrutiny through this week.</p>
<p>Dallas, meanwhile, <a target="_blank" href="http://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2011/9/18/2434073/tony-romo-miles-austin-cowboys-vs-49ers/in/2187776">racked up drives of 80 and 44 yards in the fourth quarter behind Tony Romo </a>to set up the Cowboys with ten tying points. San Francisco sat back in soft zones and allowed Tony Romo to get into a rhythm without generating as much pass rush as they had in the first three quarters. It gave Dallas plenty of time to drive down the field and pick up yards on a regular basis.</p>
<p>Then on the first offensive play for the Cowboys in overtime, Romo made all the Niners defenders (including the deep safety) bite on the run with good play action, then brought it back and fired one deep for Jessie Holley. Holley caught it in stride and took the ball 77 yards down to the Niners one yard line, setting up the game-winning field goal by <span>Dan Bailey</span>.</p>
<p>There were some great plays by Dallas to win the game, but San Francisco's inability to produce offensive yards and make any defensive stops doomed the 49ers to 1-1.</p>
<p><i><b>To discuss the 49ers further, <a target="_blank" href="http://ninersnation.com">check out Niners Nation</a>. To discuss the Cowboys further, <a target="_blank" href="http://bloggingtheboys.com">head to Blogging the Boys</a>.</b></i></p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2011/9/18/2434175/49ers-vs-cowboys-final-score-result-alex-smith-frank-gore-jim-harbaughAvinash Kunnath2011-09-18T16:28:40-07:002011-09-18T16:28:40-07:00Tony Romo Leads Cowboys Back To Tie 49ers In Regulation
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a> are still in it with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a>. <span>Tony Romo</span> returned from a rib injury in the fourth quarter and led his Cowboys on two crucial scoring drives in the fourth quarter. Romo found <span>Kevin Ogletree</span> on 2nd and 15 for 17 yards. He then connected with <span>Miles Austin</span> for 11 yards, with Austin hauling it in another 14 yards after the catch to get Dallas into 49er territory. After a huge fourth down conversion between Romo and <span>Jason Witten</span>, Romo then hooked up with Austin on the right side for 25 yards, and the wide reciever stumbled but leaped after the catch into the end zone to cut the Dallas lead to 24-21. Austin now has three touchdown catches on the day.</p>
<p>After a <span>DeMarcus Ware</span> sack on Alex Smith helped force a Niner punt, Romo got back to work. He hooked up with backup wide receiver (and former reality star) <span>Jesse Holley</span> on 11 and eight yard catches, <span>DeMarco Murray</span> picked up 8 yards on a rush, and then Romo found Austin and Murray for a few short gains to set up a <span>Dan Bailey</span> 48 yard field goal as tim expired in regulation.</p>
<p><i><b>Check all the in-game updates on San Francisco-Dallas at <a target="_blank" href="http://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2011/9/13/2423735/san-francisco-49ers-vs-dallas-cowboys-nfl-week-2-jim-harbaugh-alex-smith-tony-romo">the SB Nation Bay Area storystream</a>. For more on the 49ers, <a target="_blank" href="http://ninersnation.com/">head to Niners Nation</a>. For more on the Cowboys,<a target="_blank" href="http://bloggingtheboys.com/"> head to Blogging the Boys</a>.</b></i></p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2011/9/18/2434073/tony-romo-miles-austin-cowboys-vs-49ersAvinash Kunnath2011-09-18T15:40:01-07:002011-09-18T15:40:01-07:0049ers Vs. Cowboys Score: Tony Romo Fractures Rib, Returns To Game With Niners Up 21-14
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<p><span>Tony Romo</span> left the field and returned to the locker room at the beginning of the second half between the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a>. Reports are that Romo fractured a rib and it appeared like he was out of the game at first glance.</p>
<p><span>Jon Kitna</span> came in and immediately marched Dallas down the field to the San Francisco 28, finding <span>Jason Witten</span> for 12 and nine yard catches, then targeted <span>Kevin Ogletree</span> for 33 yards. But then Kitna threw one up into the end zone that was intercepted by the waiting safety <span>Donte Whitner</span>. </p>
<p>However, Alex Smith returned the favor when he threw a pass awry of <span>Vernon Davis</span>, and it was picked off by <span>Alan Ball</span> to the red zone. Kitna then hooked up with <span>Miles Austin</span> on two short passes, including an out pattern in the deep right corner of the end zone to tie the game at 14.</p>
<p>After the Niners and Cowboys traded punts, it looked like Kitna was getting the Cowboys in motion again when he threw a pass right to Jason Witten for 20 yards. But then Kitna's pass for Kevin Ogletree was picked off by <span>Tramaine Brock</span> (responsible for the earlier blown coverage on the first Austin TD catch), who returned it back to the Dallas 29. Alex Smith then exploited a mismatch with tight end <span>Delanie Walker</span> on <span>Anthony Spencer</span> running a simple vertical pattern down the sideline, and Walker walked it in to give the Niners back the lead. </p>
<p>Surprisingly, Romo has reentered the game despite the rib injury, but the Cowboys were forced to punt on his first drive back</p>
<p>Check all the in-game updates on San Francisco-Dallas at <a target="_blank" href="http://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2011/9/13/2423735/san-francisco-49ers-vs-dallas-cowboys-nfl-week-2-jim-harbaugh-alex-smith-tony-romo">the SB Nation Bay Area storystream</a>. For more on the 49ers, <a target="_blank" href="http://ninersnation.com">head to Niners Nation</a>. For more on the Cowboys,<a target="_blank" href="http://bloggingtheboys.com"> head to Blogging the Boys</a>.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2011/9/18/2433967/tony-romo-49ers-vs-cowboys-jon-kitna-alex-smithAvinash Kunnath2011-09-18T15:05:26-07:002011-09-18T15:05:26-07:0049ers Vs. Cowboys Score Update: Tony Romo Injures Ribs, Replaced By Jon Kitna, San Francisco Up 14-7
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> have shockingly looked like the better offense against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a> through one half of play. Alex Smith has looked quite good on the limited number of passes he's been able to throw, finding <span>Frank Gore</span> and <span>Josh Morgan</span> (Morgan on a third down conversion). Then Smith found Kyle Williams on a gorgeous fade route completion in the end zone to put San Francisco up 14-0.</p>
<p>After both teams exchanged punts, Dallas struck back. Cowboys quarterback <span>Tony Romo</span> went to wide reciever <span>Kevin Ogletree</span> on 3rd and nine and missed him, but a bad offside penalty set up 3rd and 4. Romo then found <span>Miles Austin</span> streaking down the middle uncovered after <span>Tramaine Brock</span> slipped in his coverage, and he went 51 yards downfield for the score to get Dallas on the board.</p>
<p>It appears to have come with a price though. Romo got hit sometime in the first half and injured his ribs. After coming out for the second half, Romo went back to the locker room and was replaced by <span>Jon Kitna</span>, who threw an interception into the end zone. Smith responded with a pick of his own though, and the Cowboys have good field position early in the third quarter.</p>
<p>Check out the SB Nation Bay Area storystream for all the updates on 49ers-Cowboys. <a target="_blank" href="http://ninersnation.com">Check out Niners Nation</a> (49ers) and <a target="_blank" href="http://bloggingtheboys.com">Blogging the Boys</a> (Cowboys) for more discussion of each team.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2011/9/18/2433910/49ers-vs-cowboys-score-tony-romo-injury-miles-austin-jon-kitna-alex-smithAvinash Kunnath