The narrative will be "49ers defense is stout in dominant win over Eagles, gets season back on track". That narrative will be written by people who didn't watch the game.
Pro tip: when you give up 3 defensive and special teams scores, you're going to "dominate" time of possession. That's not a good thing, idiots. Absolutely atrocious special teams play continues to destroy this team. Adding that with the penalties, they are making every game an unwinnable battle against both themselves and whoever they are playing. It's very frustrating to watch a team this talented (even with their injuries, they still have top 10 talent) continue to blow chances to win games.
The defense played pretty well, until they actually needed to play well, then they folded like a card table. That's a theme for this team in 2014- crap the bed when you actually need to play well. They looked vintage 2006 on that last Eagles drive, somehow getting bailed out at the end when Nick Foles decided to miss a wide open target on 3rd down for the game winner. That was not a defensive stand, that was the offense making mistakes. This team needs Aldon Smith back more than it has ever needed anyone. Also: any commentator who tells you Aldon Smith is only good because of Justin Smith is a moron, and the last 4 games are all the proof you need. No pressure from anyone.
This team's identity is run the ball and play defense. If you take away the defense, then try to compensate by throwing the ball, it's not going to work. I'm not sure if Greg Roman is simply incapable of that kind of game plan, if Kaepernick cannot execute that type of offense, or if without Davis they don't have the necessary personnel to pull it off, but whatever it is, it ain't working. They cannot be a pass-first team, which is an issue when your defense and special teams suck so much ass. When they got back to running in the 2nd half, the offense looked much more comfortable and in-rhythm. That's what they need to do if they want to have any chance to win games until the defense gets better.
I'm glad they won this game, but nothing is fixed. They are still fundamentally broken on defense and dysfunctional on offense. I mean they are STILL burning at least 2 timeouts PER HALF because Kaepernick STILL isn't aware that there's a thing called a play clock and you need to HURRY THE FUCK UP AT THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE. How is that still a thing?! That alone proves to me that this team is in serious trouble and has no chance of winning when it matters.
There was one good thing, though: that Stevie Johnson catch was one of those leap out of the chair screaming and jumping around moments. What an amazing play on both sides. And the Gore play was Kaepernick doing what few others can do- I just wish he could distill that out of all the stupidity that comes with his play.
