San Francisco 49ers Breeze Past Jacksonville Jaguars

NFL News - November 30th, 2009 - Written by John

The Jacksonville Jaguars had managed to sneak to 6-4 on the year, but questions still remained from pundits who were unconvinced of the team's playoff stance with few wins over quality teams. Sunday gave them reason to continue to be skeptical. The Jaguars lost the turnover battle to San Francisco 49ers, 2-0, committed five more penalties, and weren't able to find the end zone all day. Looking sluggish from a cross-country trip to California, Jacksonville was handled 20-3 by the 49ers in a game which San Francisco was favored by one.

"It's pretty much the growth of this offense," San Francisco quarterback Alex Smith said. "In the NFL, you have to be balanced. You have to be able to do it different ways to find ways to win."

For the Niners, it was finally a complete effort that had head coach Mike Singletary gleaming at the mic. Smith threw for 232 yards and two touchdowns in the win, and found Vernon Davis for the tight ends' ninth touchdown of the 2009 NFL Season. Davis has a touchdown in two straight games. Frank Gore also had a touchdown catch, making a nice athletic play to stay in bounds before the half. Five receivers in all had at least four catches, including Michael Crabtree, who had four for 54 yards.

"The absolute best thing that happened this week was I saw leadership on the offensive side of the ball," Singletary said. "In terms of: 'Coach, this is what I think would work. This is what I think we need. Can we do this? Can we do more spread? Can we put it on us, the receivers?'"

Singletary said many players during the week participated in drafting a strategy, leading to the win. It had been a rough middle of the season, losing the last four games by less than seven points each. But now, the Niners have won two of the last three and with a loss by the Arizona Cardinals, now have a realistic shot at contending for the NFC West title.

For Jacksonville, it was disappointing considering quarterback David Garrard threw for over 300 yards for only the fifth time in his career. But he was responsible for both turnovers, fumbles, and was sacked six times. The Jaguars only managed a field goal right before halftime, and kicker Josh Scobee missed two other kicks.

Jacksonville's Maurice Jones-Drew was held to only 75 yards, although it was good enough to lead all rushers, staying below 100 yards for the second-straight week in front of friends and family who followed him during his days with UCLA.

"It's real tough," he said. "I hadn't seen these people in so long, and to come out here and really not do anything, it's frustrating."