This wasnt Rivera vs Harbaugh. It was Rivera Vs Rivera and Rivera won.

[CharlottePanther]

What gets lost in this most exquisite win is this game was not Rivera Vs Harbaugh. It was Rivera Vs Old Rivera and Rivera won. Who is the old Rivera you might ask? Well none other than Jim Harbaugh. During this game, it seemed as though someone cloned Rivera pre Buffalo game. You know, the "play not to lose" Rivera. The Rivera that would celebrate FGs and punt on 4th and short in the final minutes of the game, only to be let down with another loss. Yes someone kidnapped Jim Harbaugh and replaced him with pre Buffalo Bills game Ron.

So where am I going with this? Yesterday, the announcer said something during the game that caught my attention. She said "Harbaugh realizes that in this type of game, you play for points and FGs are not bad whatsoever playing a game like this against a stout D like the Panthers." I then immediatley thought, this isnt Jim Harbaugh football. This is play not to lose Rivera 1.0 football. Well, Jim Harbaugh picked a bad to have a bad day. The result? 0 attempts on 4th down, even a 4th and short in our territory which equaled 0 TDs, and 3 FGs for a total of 9 points. The result? 1 point loss.

Now ask yourself this question. If a few weeks ago Marty Mcfly came up to you from his delorean and said.. "The team that lost in this matchup was a team that scored three FGs, no TDs, blew a 9 pt lead and lost by 1 point with 0 4th down attempts." Would you have guessed in your wildest dreams that Mr Mcfly was talking about the 49ers? This was an important game for Ron. Harbaugh played Rivera 1.0 , conservative football. He lost, and Rivera has been redeemed. R.I.P Pre Buffalo Bills Ron.

[mav1234]

didn't they only have 1 4th and short deep in our territory they didnt go for, and it was to give them a 2 score lead?  I dont recall thinking Harbaugh's calls were particularly conservative, but I may be mistaken... I was kinda giddy and shaking through two thirds of the game. ;)

[TbTeRRoR]

I see your point.....however Rivera was never a whiny lil   biznatch 

[CLTPanther]

Riveria had to play it safe with points at a premium.. I was a little nervous getting late in the 4th up 1 point, but the D showed us they ain't screwing around anymore

[Fan01]

There is being aggressive and playing to win but making it a two score game when you're up 6-0 in a defensive game is the smart thing to do.  He made the right call. 

 

Going for it every time you have a chance to isn't smart football and will end up bitting in the ass just as bad as never going for it.

[Mr. Scot]

There is being aggressive and playing to win but making it a two score game when you're up 6-0 in a defensive game is the smart thing to do. He made the right call.

Going for it every time you have a chance to isn't smart football and will end up bitting in the ass just as bad as never going for it.

Agreed. You still have to play smart situational football, and yesterday he did.

[Huell]

No it was Rivera vs Harbaugh. And Rivera won.

All the people that wanted Jim over Ron need to get on their knees and open their throats.

[fieryprophet]

BUT HARBAW >>>>>>>>>>>>>> RIVERA, GUIZ!!!!!!!! ESPN SEZ SO, JERRY PIE CHARTS LOL!!!!

[xerxes]

The fact that we had already stuffed them on 3rd and 2 and 3rd and 1 heavily influenced that decision. I thought it was a sign they were afraid of our defense.

 

That said, if they had won, 9-7 it would have been declared an excellent decision. These things are usually decided in retrospect. For example, RR deciding to punt on 4th and 2 on the SF 40ish. Ended up working out well, but if we had lost, people may have 2nd guessed that decision.

[Fox007]

Well after Harbaughs continued classless actions during and after losses I'd like to see Rivera v Harbaugh.....

[Captroop]

All the people that wanted Jim over Ron need to get on their knees and open their throats.

Erm, of the two, one has a NFC conference championship, the other has two losing seasons and only showed up when his ass was on the hot seat in year three.

I think people who wanted Jim still can be justified in that opinion.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using CarolinaHuddle mobile app

[Chaos]

 

 

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[SmashNDash]

Pretty hard to gamble for it on 4th and 8th when you only have 50 yards passing the entire game, lol.

[Peppers90 NC]

main difference is, Harbough plays conservative with his PROVEN defense.  Rivera played conservative before our defense morphed into what it is now, which is one of the most dominating groups of individuals working together right now.