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Feb. 12, 2008
Overview: Head coach Mike Nolan has his work cut out for him after managing to survive one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history. A woeful offense provided most of the misery, tying the franchise low and finishing last in the NFL with 219 points. First-year offensive coordinator Jim Hostler’s unit also finished last in total yards, passing yards, offensive TDs, first downs, sacks allowed and third-down conversions. A nasty public rift between Nolan and QB Alex Smith, whose injured throwing arm became a major bone of contention, only made matters worse.
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Date
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Opponent
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Spread
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Result
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09/10/07
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Arizona
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-3½
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20-17
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09/16/07
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at St. Louis
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+3
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17-16
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09/23/07
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at Pittsburgh
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+10
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16-37
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09/30/07
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Seattle
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+2
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3-23
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10/07/07
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Baltimore
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+3½
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7-9
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BYE WEEK
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10/21/07
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at NY Giants
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+9½
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15-33
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10/28/07
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New Orleans
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+2
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10-31
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11/04/07
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at Atlanta
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+3
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16-20
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11/12/07
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at Seattle
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+9
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0-24
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11/18/07
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St. Louis
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+3
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9-13
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11/25/07
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at Arizona
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+10
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37-31 (OT)
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12/02/07
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at Carolina
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+3
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14-31
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12/09/07
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Minnesota
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+8
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7-27
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12/15/07
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Cincinnati
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+8
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20-13
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12/23/07
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Tampa Bay
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+6
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21-19
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12/30/07
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at Cleveland
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+11½
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7-20
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Team MVP: Thank God for Patrick Willis, the team’s first-round draft pick last season, who instantly established himself as one of the league’s most active defenders. A first-year Pro Bowler, Willis led the league in tackles by a wide margin with 174, displaying superior speed and sideline-to-sideline athleticism, combined with the instincts of a seasoned pro. Don’t be surprised if he becomes the NFL’s next truly dominant defender not too far down the road.
Biggest surprise: Starting off the season as the third quarterback behind Smith and Trent Dilfer, Shaun Hill ended up providing an unexpected spark under center. In three late-season starts, Hill completed nearly 70 percent of his passes and registered a 5-1 TD-interception ratio while racking up a 2-1 record. Hill showed enough to earn a legitimate opportunity to challenge Smith for the starting QB job next season in what will be a new system for the fourth straight season, as Mike Martz replaces Hostler as the offensive coordinator.
Biggest disappointment: It has to be an offensive line that was a shell of the unit that had done such a respectable job the previous season, with most of the same personnel. In the process of allowing a franchise-record 55 sacks, the line showed a complete inability to pick up blitzes up the middle. It also blocked poorly in run situations most of the season after doing a much better job opening holes the year before for RB Frank Gore, whose numbers suffered accordingly.
Offseason outlook: Nolan, who could enter the season on a short rope, has promised to steer clear of the offense and let Martz run the show, which at the very least, figures to be a lot more interesting next season. After being promoted to the GM post with personnel authority over Nolan, Scot McCloughan’s major thrust will be to provide Martz with a few more badly needed weapons. The team has indicated it will concentrate more on the draft and not invest as heavily in the free-agent market this offseason as it did last year.
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