Niners get the shock win, Rams slip up in OT

Article by Rob Newell

Did that really happen?  That is what people will look back on this week, rub their eyes and ask themselves one more time, but the answer will always be yes.  Blaine Gabbert, for so long a joke amongst NFL fans, that Blaine Gabbert did not only start a game for the 49ers, a team with some of the best QB lineage of all (Kaepernick and Smith aside), without a starting RB, WR and TE, but he actually led the previously 2-6 Niners to a victory over the 6-2 Atlanta Falcons.

In truth this victory, had a lot more to do with the showing of the Navarro Bowman led Niners defence, who completely shut down the then league leading rusher, Davonte Freeman for just 12 yards.  True, Julio Jones still got his yards, as he always does, but the Falcons had to settle for Field Goals, meanwhile on offence Gabbert was able to keep drives alive with his arm and his feet, and for just about the first time this year, the Niners threw for multiple touchdowns in one game.  If it was April first, you just wouldn`t believe it would you.  Compared to what Kaepernick has produced this year, Gabbert actually looked like a QB. 

After the bye, it will be the Seahawks in Seattle, a much tougher task, so hopefully he will have Hyde and Boldin back, and in the likely defeat that comes in Seattle, if Gabbert can show the same sort of character, the Kaepernick era may just be over.

The Rams meanwhile went up North to Minnesota, in the battle billed as AP against the next best thing in Rams rookie Todd Gurley.  On this day, it was the older man who recorded the better stats, he may not be course for the 2500 yard season he predicted but Peterson is now leading the league in rushing.

This game did feature two of the better defences in the league and the fact that it came down to a Field Goal by Vikings Kicker Blair Walsh not surprising.  Teddy Bridgwater left this game with a concussion, from what Mike Zimmer believes was a cheap shot, something that Gregg Williams defences have had previous dalliances with.  The Rams D was without Chris Long and Robert Quinn for this one both of whom may be back next week, so good luck Jay Cutler.

The Seahawks and Cardinals were both on the bye, meaning they both have had a week to prepare for their week 10 matchup.  If the Cardinals can win that one in Seattle then the Seahawks NFC Championship days could be over.