The Little Things

With all the media coverage focusing on the "brownout" or on the controversial no call on the 49ers 4th down play, some of the little things tend to be overlooked. I have chosen 2 plays that were big plays, but are receiving less fanfare today.


1) 2nd and goal, at the 5. 49ers ball with 2 minutes left.

 ** VIDEO: 49ers 2nd and Goal

Colin Kaepernick sprints right to move the pocket. The Ravens had previously sent an all out blitz, so the moving pocket would perfectly combat the blitz, had they come again. The Ravens did not send the blitz again, and ultimatley broke up Kaepernick's pass for Crabtree. My contention with this play is the fact that Kaepernick forced this ball with no real reason too: he could have held the ball far longer and waited for someone to get open. Look at the pressure on him when he threw, and the number of Ravens around Crabtree when he attempts to make the catch.

Kaepernick easily could ave extended this play rolling back left, and waited for someone to break free: usually after more than 4 seconds near the goal line, coverage will break down. This was the 49ers best chance to score on their final possession, as 2 more all out blitzes foiled 3rd and 4th down plays.

2) The biggest play of the game was the 3rd down conversion from Flacco to Boldin on their 4th quarter drive that netted them a field goal and cemented the score at 34-29. The field goal forced the 49ers to come down and score a touchdown, instead of the easy field goal they would have had. The 3rd down pass put the Ravens in field goal range, and well, the play speaks for itself in degree of difficulty.

**VIDEO: Flacco to Boldin