Breakdowns Stop 49ers In Their Tracks
The San Francisco 49ers took a spill on muddy Lambeau Field.
First, the special teams broke down, burned by Desmond Howard. Then Steve Young, already hurt, broke down, along with Pro Bowl defensive tackle Bryant Young.
Dropped passes, fumbles, penalties, injuries and an early deficit all took a toll on San Francisco, a 35-14 loser to Green Bay on Saturday in a divisional playoff.
Elvis Grbac relieved Young but, with San Francisco in a catchup mode, wound up with three interceptions, part of five turnovers by the 49ers.
“They were the better team today. They took care of their business. We didn’t,” Grbac said.
Young, who broke his ribs in a 14-0 wild-card victory over Philadelphia last week, took a series of pain-killing injections before the game but lasted only two series before leaving. He completed 2 of 5 passes for eight yards.
“I took a myriad of (pain-killing) shots,” Young said. “Then, when I warmed up, I was able to throw the ball but not with any real zip. I thought I could make a game of it but after a couple of series, it became apparent we were going to have to throw the ball downfield and today, that wasn’t going to be my game, unfortunately.”
San Francisco took another blow, losing its Pro Bowl defensive tackle when Bryant Young was injured late in the first quarter while trying to tackle Green Bay running back Dorsey Levens.
Young was taken into the locker room for X-rays of his neck and back then underwent an MRI at a hospital. The X-rays and scan were negative.
Wide receiver Terrell Owens had a particularly tough day, dropping three passes, including one that deflected off his hands for an interception.
Pinning the blame
Dazed, demoralized and bitterly disappointed, the Broncos had only themselves to blame for their 30-27 loss to Jacksonville.
“I’m just really stunned,” Broncos safety Steve Atwater said. “I hadn’t even considered a scenario with us losing the ballgame. I don’t know what I’m going to do tomorrow.”
“It’s a terrible feeling,” cornerback Lionel Washington added. “We knew we had to stop the run with Natrone (Means) and to contain (quarterback Mark) Brunell. We didn’t do either.”
Jags fans go nuts
Jaguars fans chanted “Super Bowl! Super Bowl! Super Bowl!” after Jacksonville’s upset of Denver.
An estimated 10,000 fans cheered, prayed and danced at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium as the Jags pulled out a heart-stopping win.
“We’re going to the Super Bowl. The Jaguars are awesome. We beat Denver by a mile,” said Cindy Andrews, who wore cat ears and painted teal whiskers on her face.
“Nobody believes but us.”
Pats target Bettis
When New England middle linebacker Ted Johnson considers today’s AFC playoff clash with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he keeps it simple: Don’t miss The Bus.
Johnson, a main cog in New England’s defense, has been given the task of riding herd on Pittsburgh’s primary offensive threat, 243-pound running back Jerome (Bus) Bettis, who has carried the Steelers to within two wins of a Super Bowl return.
The Patriots, hosting their first postseason game since 1978, are 2-point favorites. While the marquee matchup pits Pittsburgh’s second-ranked defense against the Patriots’ third-ranked passing attack, halting the bullish Bettis, who battered Indianapolis for 102 yards and two TDs, is a priority.