The Aftermath of a Stunner, and a Showdown in Detroit

With roughly ten seconds left on the clock, I started to celebrate along with the rest of Niners Nation. My beloved San Francisco 49ers were one play away from earning one of the gutsiest, most impressive victories in recent memory. They were without their best player (Frank Gore left the game in the first quarter due to an ankle sprain), and they had not once converted on third down, yet Mike Singletary's Niners were on their way to beating the Minnesota Vikings in the hostile environment of the Metrodome. With this win, the 49ers would improve to 3-0, sending a huge message to the rest of the NFL. But with one Hail Mary heave from Brett Favre, and one insane catch by unknown wide receiver Greg Lewis, the Vikings stunned the Niners in the final seconds. What looked like an awesomely inspiring win quickly turned into one of the most disheartening losses I've ever witnessed.

But here's the catch: While the sting of yesterday's defeat still lingers, the San Francisco 49ers may be stronger as a result. Even in crushing defeat, there were several encouraging signs that bode well for the rest of the season: the continued growth of quarterback Shaun Hill and tight end Vernon Davis, the continued success of Patrick Willis, Aubrayo Franklin, Takeo Spikes, Nate Clements, and the 49er D, and most of all, the overall grit and spirit that this team has shown under the great Mike Singletary. While the loss to Minnesota surely felt like a ski boot to the groin, the 49ers still have sole possession of first place, and they are clearly the team to beat in the NFC West. Next week the Niners should be able to rebound with a win over the lowly Rams, and all will be right with the world.

So yes, a loss is a loss, and yesterday's was especially painful. But even in a heartbreaker, the Niners showed that they are for real. And as a diehard Niner fan, I can't wait to see what this team does next.

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The state of Minnesota is probably still buzzing over the last-second heroics of the Vikings, and rightfully so. However, this week they should shift their attention to baseball. The Twins commence a make-or-break four game set at the AL Central-leading Detroit Tigers tonight. Jim Leyland's Tigers have a two game lead over Joe Mauer and the Twins, a division lead that has been shrinking by the day. The crowds at Comerica Park will be rocking, but I think the Twins have what it takes to shock the Tigers and steal the division. The series kicks off tonight with two youngsters on the mound, Nick Blackburn for the Twins and Rick Porcello for the Tigers. The key for young pitchers is to avoid getting too geeked up for big games, and tonight's game is about as big as a regular season game gets. It should be a fun week at the yard in Detroit, a week that will give us a preview of the October excitement that's bound to come.