Week 9: San Francisco 49ers vs. Tennessee Titans

(Image created by Samuel Lam)

This is it for the 49ers. Even though head coach Mike Singletary has said that all games are a "must win", not just this game, the team understands that a loss against the Titans on Sunday could detour them from playoff hopes.

The 49ers face a Titans team that has struggled all year long; trying to get back on the right track to high expectations. After a 13-3 season last year, the Titans have suffered a handful of injuries and now have a change at quarterback. They got their first win of the season last Sunday and have looked to found some momentum from it.

The 49ers are in the same boat as the Titans. Injuries and a change at quarterback have given the 49ers a new look and a different attitude than what we saw when the season began. Alex Smith seems to be comfortable as the starting quarterback. The running game is hoping to get back on track and counter that of the Titans.

Titans running back Chris Johnson leads the league in rushing yards and after his 228-yard performance, it will be a tough test for the 49ers and their #2 ranked rushing defense. The 49ers have not given up a 100-yard rushing game to any running back this year so far, and stopping Johnson will be a major factor in the game.

There are a few keys for the 49ers in this game against the Titans:

1. Stop Chris Johnson
   Probably the most important aspect of the game. With the #2 rushing defense in the league against the top running back, something has got to give. If the 49ers can stop the Titans' only consistent form of offense, then that allows them to not only control the clock but force the Titans to go through the air more.
2. Quick passes
   One of the problems I have noticed from Alex Smith is that he tends to hold the ball a little too long. Granted that some of the problems can be found within the offensive line, but a quarterback that can make a pass with a three-step drop without trying to make something out of nothing is going to help the 49ers a lot. With a new look offensive line, the 49ers know that drives cannot stall with sacks. Smith understands that and much like the 3-second clock the team used in training camp, the 49ers should impliment a quick release to avoid sacks.
3. Keep the clock running on the defense
   The Titans have one of the worst defenses in the league. Keeping them on the field should benefit the 49ers tremendously. Whether it's through the air or on the ground, the 49ers have to continue to attack. That killer instinct that the 49ers have lacked has to show up. The Titans can be beat and the 49ers have to score early to snatch the win from the Titans.

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Today's injury report:

49ERS
OUT
CB Nate Clements (shoulder), DE Demetric Evans (shoulder), T Joe Staley (knee)

PROBABLE
S Reggie Smith (groin), LB Takeo Spikes (shoulder)

TITANS
OUT
RB Javon Ringer (back)

QUESTIONABLE
S Vincent Fuller (groin), CB Nicholas Harper (forearm), DE Jevon Kearse (knee), T Mike Otto (knee), T David Stewart (hamstring), LB David Thornton (hip)

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The five-game stretch that will test the 49ers has gone 0-2 with two very close losses. There is no way the 49ers should look past the Titans this week. However, the 49ers have more than what it takes to win this game. It all depends on how well the 49ers start off and how they contain the running game of Chris Johnso

Follow me on my Twitter for updates throughout today's game and check back here as I plan to update this page throughout the game live.

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1st Quarter

- TEN gets the ball first and starts at their own 20...Curtis Taylor hurt on the play but off on his own power...Sweep play to Chris Johnson for 14 yards...Titans are moving the ball through the ground and air...On 3rd & 6, incomplete by Young. Titans will punt.

- Brandon Jones to receive the punt...instead of a fair catch on the 12, he gets smothered. He is very inexperienced at the position...Taylor has a right shin contusion and is questionableto return...First pass goes to Vernon for no gain...Screen play to Gore takes the 49ers all the way to the 46 yard followed by a 15-yard unnecessary roughness...1st & 10 on TEN 39...After incomplete, Smith hits Walker to the 27-yard line...After incomplete to Davis up the middle, Gore gets a carry for 6 yards...On 3rd & 4, Smith scrambles and is a yard short. On 4th down, Nedney makes a 40-yard field goal. 3-0 SF.

- TEN takes kickoff for a touchback...Washington grabs an 18-yard pass...Vince Young on play action hits Justin Gage all the way to the 9 yard line...After a -1 yard fun, Willis tackles Johnson on a 6-yard play...3rd & Goal on 3, Johnson on halfback pass overthrows Scaife..Bironas makes 21-yard kick. Tied at 3.

- Robinson takes kickoff to SF 29...Gores takes pitch to left-side for a 13-yard gain...Smith sacked on 35-yard line...A screen pass to Crabtree is overthrown...3rd & 17, run the same play and Crabtree gets only 6 yards. SF to punt.

- TEN starts on their own 4 after Lee 56-yard punt...Johnson runs for 4 yards on first play...Haralson tackles Johnson for a 3 yard loss...On 3rd & 9, a play action by Titans fool 49ers, but Young overthrows the ball. TEN to punt deep in own endzone...

- SF starts on own 49...Gore runs up middle for 2 yards...Smith scrambles and throws it away...3rd & 8, A tipped ball is intercepted by Rod Hood to SF 24.

- No gain on Johnson run...a 5 yard catch by Bo Scaife, making it 3rd & 5 on SF 19 to begin 2nd quarter.

2nd Quarter

- 3rd & 5, Gage picks up a 7 yard pass...1st & 10 on 12, short pass to Washington for 3 yard gain...After LenDale White 2 yard gain, on 3rd & 5 from 7, Young scores on QB draw. 10-3 TEN.

- SF starts on own 30...3 yard catch by Bruce, followed by a 6 yard run by Gore...3rd & 1, Smith scrambles to SF 49 for a first down...Hits Vernon Davis to the TEN 14 yard line...Offsides makes it 1st & 5 on 8 yard line...Gore takes the ball to the 3 yard line. 1st & G...Gore goes left for the TD. Tie game at 10-10.

- TEN starts on own 26...An incomplete pass followed by a 1 yard run by White, Young is sacked on the 17 yard line by Manny Lawson. Three and out.

- SF starts on own 45 as Brandon Jones goes backwards for a -2 yard return...Smith hits Gore for an 8 yard gain on the right side...Smith gets sacked and loses the ball. Gore recovers the ball on the SF 32...3rd & 23 now, Coffee gains 4 yards. SF to punt.

- A 60 yard punt puts TEN on their own 14 yard line...Johnson runs for 26 yards to TEN 40...Johnson gets 3 yard catch, then runs for 4 yard gain...3rd & 3, pass goes incomplete to Gage. Titans to punt with 3:45 left in half.

- SF starts on own 18 after TEN penalty... Gore gains 9 on first run and encroachment gives SF a first down...1st & 10 on SF 32...Crabtree makes tough catch and ducks before getting smashed for a 9 yard gain...2 minute warning...Draw play to Gore goes for 4 yards...Pass to Crabtree takes SF to the TEN 38...Davis gains 4 yards and SF calls timeout...Bruce falls on play, incomplete...3rd & 6, Davis catch takes SF to SF 20. Timeout SF...Gore with a 8 yard catch inbounds...Smith rolls right and Jason Hill is open in back of endzone for TD. 17-10 SF.

- TEN starts on own 30 with 0:12 left. Run by Johnson and that's halftime.

3rd Quarter

- SF starts on own 24...2 yard Gore run followed by a 4 yard run...3rd & 4, Hill with a 5 yard catch...After Davis false start, Gore gets a 6 yard catch...After incomplete pass, on 3rd & 8, Smith scrambles and throws it away. SF to punt.

- TEN on own 9, a 1 yard run by Johnson and another run, this one going for 5 yard. On 3rd & 4, Young misses Gage. Three and out.

- Jones receives punt and gets stuffed on the SF 27...David Baas has a stinger and is questionable to return...Davis grabs a 12 yard pass for a first down...Hope sacks Smith for 8 yard loss...Smith gets hit on the next play for an incomplete pass...review from TEN overturns it and it is a fumble recovered by TEN.

- Johnson rushes for 8 yards on carry...Tarell Brown gets wind knocked on the play...Johnson runs again for 8 yards...On 1st down, Young overthrows Washington...Johnson runs for only 1 yard...3rd & 9 on SF 19, a screen pass to Johnson to the 3 yard line...After TEN timeout, a toss to Johnson and stopped at the 1 yard line...Johnson up the middle for a TD. Tied at 17.

-SF starts on own 27...Incomplete to Morgan...Offsides on defense, then following is a false start...2nd & 10 now...Gore on a 9.5 yard reception... 3rd down and TEN is offsides, 1st down SF...Josh Morgan on a reverse picks up the first down to TEN 48...A short gain and a 7 yard Davis catch sets up 3rd & 1...Gore goes right up the middle for a 1st down...With Smith in shotgun, Gore takes direct snap for a 13 yard gain. SF on TEN 24...After false start, Baas was ineligible downfield setting up a 2nd & 20 at the end of the 3rd quarter.

4th Quarter

- 1st & 20, Gore runs for 7 yards...Davis goes for a 7 yard pass...3rd & 6, Morgan makes catch half a yard short...on 4th & inches, Gore takes it to the 10 yard line for a first down...Walker hurt on the play, but off on own power...Robinson as fullback loses a yard on the play...Robinson takes it to the 7 yard line, not 3rd down...Gore misses pass up the middle. SF settles for FG for 20-17 lead. (Delanie Walker has a knee sprain and is questionable to return).

- TEN starts on own 19...Incomplete to Washington...Next play, Chris Johnson goes up the sideline for an 81-yard TD...Singletary is challenging the play seeing if he stepped out (which replay indicates that he did)...SF wins challenge, TEN on SF 40...Johnson loses 4 yards on run, followed by a deep pass to Justin Gage to the 11 yard line...After TEN timeout, Young scrambles for 5 yards...Johnson takes it to the 1 yard line and he is short by a couple feet...3rd & short, LenDale White gets stuffed at the line for no gain...On 4th and inches, TEN runs the option and Johnson scores for a TD. 24-20 TEN leads.

-SF starts on own 30...Swing pass to Gore goes for 2 yards...Chris Hope intercepts Smith on the SF 39. First down Tennessee.

I'm heading down to the field to get ready to get the locker room. I'll be back with a recap.

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