Mike Singletary's 49ers will Thump the Raiders and Get Rolling in a Big Way

Sometimes winning in the NFL comes down to one simple thing: how tough the schedule is.  Luckily for Mike Singletary, his 49ers are about to hit the soft part of their 16-game slew with the Raiders up first. 

A win against the whimsical team from across the Bay will get the ball rolling, raise the team’s collective spirit, and ultimately save the fiery Singletary’s job.

Sometimes the numbers do lie, and in the case of the 49ers, that is certainly the case.  Their 0-5 record is very deceiving.  Granted, they are 23rd overall in total offense, but that weak stat shouldn’t fall completely on the embattled Alex Smith’s shoulders, as he’s 11th in the league in passing. 

Put some of the blame on Frank Gore and the O-line, because they’re 30th in rushing.  Terrible!

It’s actually the defense that’s been surprisingly disappointing.  They’re 17th overall, 21st against the pass, and 18th against the rush. 

They were expected to be much stronger on this side of the ball.  But fans seem to find it easier just to blame it all on the quarterback...especially when he’s following in the footsteps of Montana and Young.

But let’s forget the numbers for a minute.  The eyeball test tells me that this is a very competitive team that simply can’t get out of its own way…so far. 

They started the season at Seattle and got completely blown off the field...a legitimate loss in every respect.  But then they came home to play the defending champion Saints and could have won, but were beaten 25-22 on a last second field goal.

With their pride wounded and an 0-2 record, they headed to Kansas City, a place where everyone is going to have trouble winning, and got thumped 31-10.  But their next two losses were self-inflicted.

They had the NFC South-leading Falcons beaten in Atlanta, but fumbled away the game-winning interception.  Think about it...that was a game they absolutely had in the bag.

Finally, when the Philadelphia Eagles came into town, the Niners battled them tooth and nail, finally losing by three, 27-24.  Heartbreak city again!  After the game, team president Jed York said he would “absolutely” stick with Singletary for the rest of the season. 

York may have said it tongue in cheek, but after the team wins eight of its next 11 and finishes the season with an 8-8 record, he’ll be justified in doing just that – “absolutely” sticking with the former Chicago Bear great.

I can hear the 49ers faithful now…screaming about how 8-8 isn’t good enough.  But it may very well be good enough to win the NFC West...securing the team a playoff berth.

The Niners have the Raiders, Broncos, Rams, Buccaneers, Seahawks, and Cardinals left on their home schedule.  They’ll win them all.

On the road they still have to face the Panthers, Cardinals, Packers, Chargers, and Rams.  They’ll win at least two. 

The key in all of this is for them to sweep the current division leading Cardinals – a team whose schedule also sets them up to finish 8-8.

So as bad as 0-5 may look at the moment, it’s a long season, and the remaining 49er schedule sets up well.  Fear not, red and gold!  Put your Jim Harbaugh wish list aside and plan on winning your very weak division.