5 Burning Questions Answered

1)  Will Greg Roman get Vernon Davis more involved?

• Not much more.  Davis was targeted on 5 passes, and ended the day with 4 receptions for 30 yards.

2)  Can Alex Smith come close to duplicating his performance in Arizona?

• He started off on pase to duplicate the effort before leaving in the 2nd quarter with a concussion. Prior to his exit Smith was 7-8 for 72 yards and 1 touchdown.

3)  How will Michael Crabtree fare against Cortland Finnegan?

• Crabtree was rarely matched up against Finnegan, and was having a big day prior to Smith's injury.  He ended the day as the teams' leading receiver with 5 receptions for 70 yards and 1 touchdown.

4)  How will Carlos Rogers handle Danny Amendola?

• If this was a boxing match the referee's would have been forced to stop the fight early.  Amendola finished the day with 11 receptions on 12 targets for 102 yards, and beat Rogers on the first play of overtime for an 80 yard reception that was called back due to an illegal formation.

5)  Will Colin Kaepernick see any action?

• Kaepernick saw his first extended action as an NFL quarterback after Smith was removed from the game with a concussion.  After a rough start, Kaepernick showed a lot of improvement during the second half.  He pulled the team to within 3 points when he was able to beat Rams linebacker James Laurinitis to the corner with a great stop and start move, and after the Rams scored to go up 24-21 with 1:09 remaining, Kaepernick led an 8 play 63 yard drive that culminated in a 33 yard David Akers FG.  On the 49ers first possession of overtime he led them into range for a 41 yard Akers attempt that would sail wide left.

Prediction:

49ers 21  Rams 17 -  The Rams are going to provide a much stiffer test than many have predicted.  I see them leading this game by 3 heading into the 4th quarter, and Alex Smith leading his first fourth quarter comeback of the year.

Had this one nailed until 1:09 was left in the 4th quarter and the Rams scored to take a 24-21 lead.