From: marshall@NEBULA.SSD.LMSC.LOCKHEED.COM (Bob Marshall)
Subject: 49ers/Vikes
Reply-To: marshall@NEBULA.SSD.LMSC.LOCKHEED.COM
Organization: LMSC, Sunnyvale, California
Date: Sun, 13 Dec 92 21:34:27 GMT

The 49ers moved one step closer to clinching the NFC West with a tough
20-17 win over the Vikings. The Viking defense came up with two big plays
to make the final score look close, but overall the 49ers dominated this
game, both offensively and defensively.

The stars were Amp Lee and Steve Young. Lee had about 130 yards rushing,
plus two touchdowns. He had a big run on second and 10 with about two
minutes left to seal the win. He picked up the first down, and had the
presence of mind to go down in-bounds to keep the clock moving. And
Young was on-target today; he didn't have a lot of yards (about 200),
but his percentage was very high (he was 18-22 after three quarters, but
I don't have his totals).

The Vikings' defensive line was the only shining light for them. They
had seven sacks altogether, with three by Al Noga, lined up against
Ralph Tamm, who is filling in for Harris Barton. The Vikings' DL also
contained Young when he tried to scramble. There were several times when
it looked like Young was going to take off with one of his patented 
scrambles, but he was taken down by Noga, Del Rio, or Doleman. That was
very impressive.

Although it won't make the papers, in my opinion the play of the game
was made by Dana Hall. Yes, Dana Hall. Think about it a second and see
if you can figure what play I am referring to...


...
OK, it was the pass to Anthony Carter over the middle in the third quarter.
Carter split two defenders and was at full speed on his way to the end zone.
He was outrunning David Whitmore, the last defender with a chance to catch
him, but just before Carter broke away, Dana Hall *pushed* Whitmore towards
Carter, and Whitmore made the tackle from behind. The Vikings ended up
settling for a field goal, which is a four-point turnover, which proved
to be the difference in the game. What a heads-up play by Hall!

One other big play : Alan Grant's 47-yard kickoff return after the Vikes
had pulled to within 10-7. His return set up a 49ers TD which made the
score 17-7.

Amp Lee seems to be gaining confidence very quickly. Early in the season
he seemed to be intimidated, but now he is putting his head down and going
for it. I think he is still a little bit too tentative, but give him time
and he will be a good one. His pass catching abilities are also impressive.

The Vikings' first TD came on a beautiful pick by Audray McMillian, who
sat back and waited on Young, then stepped in front of John Taylor to make
the pick. He had a clear lane to the end-zone for a TD. Did the INT phase
Young at all? I guess not; he came back and completed his next 12 passes.
The other Vikings TD came after the 49ers forgot to block Vincie Glenn on 
a punt from the five-yard line, and Wilmsmeyer was unable to get it off, 
and was tackled by Glenn on the five. Terry Allen took it in from there.

The Vikings had many devastating penalties, including a couple of personal
fouls and several offsides penalties (and there were several other offsides
penalties which were not called). The 49ers only had three penalties as
far as I recall (two motion penalties and one offsides on a kickoff). That
was a big factor in the game.

The Vikings are a pretty impressive team, but they have a glaring hole -
they don't have a quarterback. And they need some wide receivers. Sure,
Anthony Carter *used* to be great, but he doesn't seem to have it any more.
Losing Cris Carter was devastating, of course. If they could fill these two 
holes they would be awesome.

So, the magic number for the 49ers is one. Unless they lose their next two
games (against Tampa Bay and Detroit at home), and the Aints win their next
two games, the title is theirs. So all that is left is the battle with
the Cowboys for home field advantage.

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Bob Marshall                     \\     "Women aren't as smart as they
Lockheed Missiles & Space Co.     \\     think they are; they think we
Sunnyvale, CA                      \\    men know a lot more than we
marshall@force.ssd.lmsc.lockheed.com\\   really do."
"I tell the truth 'cept when I lie"  \\     - Tim the Toolman
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