Kyle Williams vs. Billy Cundiff

[The Chase Davis]

Which player's blunder(s) was more responsible for his team's loss?

[David Watts]

Should Lee Evans be included in your poll, or do you think that was a spectacular play by the defender?

[The Chase Davis]

Originally Posted by David Watts

Should Lee Evans be included in your poll, or do you think that was a spectacular play by the defender?

It's unfortunate but in the end it was a defensive play and not what I'd call a blunder.

Missing a chip shot and screwing up 2 kick returns are.

[David Watts]

Originally Posted by The Chase Davis

It's unfortunate but in the end it was a defensive play and not what I'd call a blunder.

Missing a chip shot and screwing up 2 kick returns are.

I was listening to Mike and Mike on the way into work and Golic said Evans (a receiver) has to be able to make the catch. I too thought it was a great defensive play, just wondered what others thought.

[RchW]

Originally Posted by The Chase Davis

It's unfortunate but in the end it was a defensive play and not what I'd call a blunder.

Missing a chip shot and screwing up 2 kick returns are.

Hmmm just squeezing that ball may have been enough to prevent the defensive play.

[Faroo6]

You can add the ref with the quickest whistle I've ever seen. He saved the Giants season. Bradshaw fumbled that ball and the Niners should have had possession at the Giants 20 with 2:00 to play in regualtion.

I really can't fault Kyle Williams for the fumble he was tucking the ball away when he got hit. It's not like he was careless with the ball. The jammer just let the gunner get free too early. And while we're there, Culliver is gonna here it on film day because the Giant that recovered the ball was turned loose by him at the end and he just stood by as a spectator. If he holds his block he probably gives Williams or himself a chance to recover. 49ers really never should have been in a position to lose that game if the offense could have converted on 3rd down.

[The Chase Davis]

Originally Posted by Faroo6

I really can't fault Kyle Williams for the fumble he was tucking the ball away when he got hit. It's not like he was careless with the ball.

"I used to be an NFLer Like You, then I took a football to the knee." - Kyle Williams

[Faroo6]

Originally Posted by The Chase Davis

"I used to be an NFLer Like You, then I took a football to the knee." - Kyle Williams

Yeah, the ball of his knee was his fault. The fumble that essentially ended the game was a good football play.

[jbergey22]

I think it is really unfortunate that these plays get remembered when in reality it was just one of many that could have changed the result.

As a Vikings fan I still have to hear about how Gary Anderson missed the FG in 98 that would have sent the Vikings to the Super Bowl in Miami and gets blamed for the loss still today. Gary Anderson had been perfect that season in field goals. The law of averages just caught up at a bad time. I would never put the loss on Gary Anderson simply for missing his first field goal of the year. It was a team effort from the head coach down just like any other loss.

I voted Williams simply because he had 2 huge mess ups. I really think the major flaw on why the 49ers lost was because they abandoned the run game that they were having success with early.

[CommishJoe]

Originally Posted by jbergey22

I think it is really unfortunate that these plays get remembered when in reality it was just one of many that could have changed the result.

As a Vikings fan I still have to hear about how Gary Anderson missed the FG in 98 that would have sent the Vikings to the Super Bowl in Miami and gets blamed for the loss still today. Gary Anderson had been perfect that season in field goals. The law of averages just caught up at a bad time. I would never put the loss on Gary Anderson simply for missing his first field goal of the year. It was a team effort from the head coach down just like any other loss.

I voted Williams simply because he had 2 huge mess ups. I really think the major flaw on why the 49ers lost was because they abandoned the run game that they were having success with early.

I tend to agree with this. It was a team effort that they lost. However, to ask which one was "more responsible" for their team losing, it's Williams without a doubt. His mistakes cost his team 10 points, vs Cundiff's 3. Plus, with Cundiff's kick, it looked like the snap was low and the laces weren't in the front. The snapper has some responsiblity on that play too.

[Jagger]

Live by the turnover, die by the turnover.

It is weird how often the best teams don't make it to the Super Bowl or the World Series.

[The Chase Davis]

Originally Posted by jbergey22

I really think the major flaw on why the 49ers lost was because they abandoned the run game that they were having success with early.

I'm glad you said this because I was wondering why they were putting so much pressure on Smith to win the game.

I understand the need to pass in the closing minutes of regulation, but once it went to OT, why not go back to the run? Time was no longer a factor, no reason to not let Gore run it down their throat.

[Rizon]

Fumbleupagus vs Shamkapotamus

[John Madden]

The Giants in the locker room after the win seemed pretty impressed by their own ability to target someone with concussion issues.

Originally Posted by Jacquian Williams

"The thing is, we knew he had four concussions, so that was our biggest thing, was to take him outta the game,"

Originally Posted by Devin Thomas

"He's had a lot of concussions. We were just like, 'We gotta put a hit on that guy.' ... [Giants reserve safety Tyler] Sash did a great job hitting him early and he looked kind of dazed when he got up. I feel like that made a difference and he coughed it up."

Honestly, I know they aren't alone, but that is really hard to hear and still want to watch the sport.

[John Madden]

dola,

[The Chase Davis]

Originally Posted by John Madden

The Giants in the locker room after the win seemed pretty impressed by their own ability to target someone with concussion issues.

Honestly, I know they aren't alone, but that is really hard to hear and still want to watch the sport.

[Ragnar]

Originally Posted by Faroo6

I really can't fault Kyle Williams for the fumble he was tucking the ball away when he got hit. It's not like he was careless with the ball.

I cannot disagree more. His first priority in a game like that in OT is to protect the ball, not try and run for a TD. You CANNOT fumble the ball in that situation. He was extremely careless. He was trying to be a hero and allowed fingertips to poke the ball out. It cost them the game.

[Marberi]

Honestly? Neither.

In the Ravens case, Lee Evans has always been a speedy guy, but he's never been known to be the physical type WR. But still, he should've caught that pass. Not saying it was his fault entirely, but it wasn't Cundiff's either. Had Evans secured the ball, Cundiff would've only had to come in to attempt a PAT.

And then, there was Harbaugh not calling a T.O. to give his kicking team time to settle calmly for that FG attempt. Even Bellichik said that he didn't have to freeze Cundiff, because the Ravens were rushing for that FG.

As for Williams, well the guy did botch 2 punts and that was very important, obviously. But also, let's keep in mind that the Niners D kept the Giants explosive offense at bay for most of the 2nd. half. They kept giving the ball back to their offense with good field position and Smith was simply horrible; completely unable to move the ball for like the last 20 mins. or so.

I mean, I'm not even talking about putting together a long TD drive here, which is all but impossible when you go something like 1-13 on 3rd. downs. The Niners offense wasn't even able to move the ball 25, 30 yds. downfield to give Akers (who has a cannon of a leg and uncanny accuracy) a chance at the game-winning FG.

So, I guess it's true when they say that one play doesn't win/lose a football game.

[The Chase Davis]

Originally Posted by Marberi

So, I guess it's true when they say that one play doesn't win/lose a football game.

Normally you'd be right but these two players lost the game for their respective teams.

Is it their fault they were put in such a precarious position, no, but when the top teams in the league are playing against each other, it often comes down to the last play.

[Marberi]

Originally Posted by The Chase Davis

Normally you'd be right but these two players lost the game for their respective teams.

Is it their fault they were put in such a precarious position, no, but when the top teams in the league are playing against each other, it often comes down to the last play.

Not saying these 2 players get a free pass at all and I know people will always remember that last play (as a Cowboys fan, Romo's muffed hold vs. Seattle in '06 still stings, believe me). But that doesn't mean there weren't other missed chances/costly mistakes earlier (i.e: the pass to Evans) that may have been just as important.

EDIT: BTW, love your avatar. Huge Pearl Jam fan here and I always liked the Expos