Monday Night Week 2 Preview:

New Orleans -4.5 At San Francisco 44

Question: Could the end of Sunday night’s game not have ended sooner? Every now and then what appears to be an evenly-matched contest on paper proves to be a one-sided blowout on the field. We were way off base on this one, as Big Brother did the ass kicking once more. Peyton picked apart the Giants’ D with cool precision. What a wretched effort put forth by the Giants in what was easily one of the worst games in Coach Coughlin’s tenure. The camera kept focusing on Coughlin to see when his head would explode, but he must’ve called it a day at halftime.

WE WERE WRONG: In predicting that Mr. Mediocre, a/k/a David Garrard, would throw three interceptions this week. In fact, he threw four.

The media is trying to portray Coach Singletary into Captain Queeg after his “rats in the building” commentary this week. He has more integrity in his pinkie than the combined lot of jackals has between them. Given the ‘Niners awful showing last week and the Saints underwhelming win ten days ago, it’s fair to ask if MNF Week 2 is a trap game. Historically, the ‘Niners have played well on Monday night at home and they certainly aren’t as bad as their awful beatdown last week in Seattle.

If all it took was dedication, perseverance and intensity, Mike Singletary’s career as a head coach would have already mirrored his Hall of Fame playing career. Few, if any, NFL players or coaches could bring to the table the motivational abilities of Coach Singletary. But in the football business, there are also the thorough understandings of the X’s and O’s that need to be incorporated in the coach’s tool box. Last week’s loss in Seattle sent up red flags indicating that the technical aspects necessary to a successful coach may be lacking on his part. The ‘Niners had three trips inside Seattle’s 10 and came away with three points. The OC predictably fell on his sword with promises that the communication issues would be rectified, but there was no excuse for those sorts of problems at the professional level.

On opening night, it was the Saints’ defense that led the way to victory. The offense predictably came out like a house on fire before cooling off. The opening night festivities and all of the associated distractions may have understandably led to a lack of focus. Hopefully, Coach Payton used the extended break to reinforce the fact that last year is history and if they want to make another run, they need to focus and prepare for this game.

Both teams will play better this week, but the heat is on for the ‘Niners.

Projected Final Score: New Orleans 24, San Francisco 20