Tale of 2 halves should raise hopes and concerns

[petegz28]

Seems there is always a game or two every season where you find yourself saying "this half was totally different". In the 1st half our offense was eating up clock and scoring every possession until a missed FG. Our defense was holding Cleveland to 3 and out every possession until a missed FG.

I think we might have started sleep walking a bit. After the missed FG, 2 plays and a TD for Cleveland and suddenly we were getting punched in the mouth.

The offense answered with a great drive for a TD to move the lead back to 13 but Cleveland worked our D again for a FG at the end of the half.

Then the 2nd half starts and everyone is like "WTF?"

Cleveland marched right down the field to score a TD on their 1st drive.

Our offense sputtered. Our O-line forgot to come out of the locker room. Smith missed a WR who (from my view at the game) appeared to let up a little.

Our defense got 0 pressure and was suddenly scratching to get the Browns off the field.

However, once again when it mattered the team showed up. Outcoached and outplayed for the better part of the 2nd half the defense found their game. The offense found their game. We controlled the ball, burned some clock, extended the lead and held Cleveland from scoring.

The concerns:
O-line has just got to improve all the way around
Every Qb overthrows receivers but Smith is doing it a little too much. I'd rather he overthrown than underthrow but he has to hit these guys when they are open better than he has.

The hopes:
With all the concerns and the ugliness of the game, our QB still managed to have a good game and kept away from the dreaded turnover that may have tilted the game the other way

The defense stiffened up and finally started getting pressure when they absolutely had to have it.


Adversity is something we are dealing with game after game as of late and we are not folding. This is the promise of this team. We don't get scared. We don't panic. We don't go into a shell. We find a way to play through or mistakes.

8-0 is something no one in the world thought we would be. Here's to a special season!!!

[Hammock Parties]

Realization that Alex Smith sucks slowly begins to dawn in Pete's frontal lobes.

Film at 11.

[Imon Yourside]

Originally Posted by Rausch

There are targets open on nearly every play.

He doesn't look at all of them...

We gave up 5 or 6 sacks today? how long does he need to hold the ball?

[l4z4rd]

Originally Posted by KILLER_CLOWN

We gave up 5 or 6 sacks today? how long does he need to hold the ball?

6 sacks, but like 3 of them Smith had no time whatsoever to get rid of the ball...like the sack on the failed flea flicker.

[MahiMike]

Did anyone else think they were watching the Mizzou game again? It was uncanny how much those games were alike. Rolling along until a missed FG. Then the other team suddenly sees the light and figures us out.

Just glad it didn't go to OT.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

we had like 35 yards offense and 5 punts in the second half for a total of 3 points...yet our offense 'found its game'?

our longest drive in the 2nd half was 3mins and 5 secs, and 6 plays...

welcome to a pete thread...

and no mention of Smith missing another wide open td pass in the first half?

These are the times that GIF'D UP cries out to us from the void.

GODDAMNIT, CLAY; WHEREFORE ART THOU???