I said in no uncertain terms that the Niners were going to go into Green Bay and beat the odds. They were going to go in an beat a team that they had only beaten once in the last 7 matchups. They were going to do what no one had done against the Pack in the conditions that they were going to face at Lambeau Field. I said they were going to win the game and advance to the second round of the playoffs. Now as we all know that did not happen and I was left to sulk and throw myself into a never ending pit of despair for the remainder of the off season.

Now I am faced with yet another dilema as we fast approach this weekends game that pits the Packers as our opponent once again. Do I make another prediction as to the outcome of this contest or do I rest on my laurels and let the cards fall as they may. Well the title to this IS "Learned my Lesson" so that would reason that my fortune telling days are over. Especially in this Paul Tagliabue rendition of the NFL, where a team made up of all of us here could be competitve to a certain degree. No I think I am going to just keep my mouth shut and accept whatever fate the football Gods toss our way this year. It is not an easy task mind you what with everyone I know that is not a Niners fan telling me that the team is doomed to go out in the first round against either New Orleans or Atlanta.

"The 49ers were already beaten by the Saints." they say

"There is no way that the Niners D can contain Vick." others say.

"Favre is going to tear you guys a new..." ummmm well you get the picture.

To all the nay-sayers I have this to say.

"BAH"

These are obviously your regular run of the mill people who know nothing about football. They might as well be Raider fans. Because we all know Raider fans lose brain cells faster then a deaf, mute crack addict. Al Davis must be putting something in the Raider Dogs. Some may ask why I am bashing the Raiders and their fans, well the answer is simple... they do not deserve anything better. First what have they done? Nothing, that's what. I have always been one who did not make my disdain for the Raider Nation a secret. The Raiders are notorious chokers. They have no backbone and they will not win a Super Bowl as long as old Al is at the helm. He sold his soul to the devil years ago and the time to pay the piper has been upon him for years. The only thing classy about the Raiders now is Mr. Rice but that goes without saying.

Now enough about the Raiders and their lost hope chances for getting a ring anytime before my son gets a scholarship to Cal and hence is drafted by the 49ers who traded up 40 spots to grab him at #1. It's a dream I know, but again onto more pressing matters. I have been hearing around the league that Mooch is on the hotseat if the 49ers do not advanve deep into the playoffs. Well my first question is what is deep? There are only three playoff weeks, so you mean to tell me that if this team goes the NFC Championship and loses or better yet the Super Bowl and loses then Ol' Steve will not get the axe, but if they go one and out then he will get his walking papers? Give me a break. This guy has done more with a team that has been undermanned all year and quite frankly in my opinion had a better secondary last year. I think Brett Favre said it best recently when he was asked about the critisism that Mariucci has come under from the media and players.

"You cannot complain when you are winning." Favre said.

How true is that? The 49ers are 9-4 and are playing this week to remain in the hunt for homefield throughout the playoffs and for what a win in December against a team such as the Packers and Favre will do for their psyche. They have not put together a complete game all season and to win this week they will most certainly have too. Unless Sherman and company have a complete meltdown but that is about as likely to happen as Ronnie Lott and Carlton Williamson coming out of retirement to shore up the Niners secondary, so they will have to be on their best game come Sunday.

I for one will have beer in hand and food in front of me at 1pm pst that day. Ready to watch the begining of the postseason. Because make no mistake about it, the playoffs start Sunday. All the games thus far mean nothing. The Niners cannot afford another loss these last three games. The only way to keep from having to travel to Green Bay in January is to win out the season. If they can do that and get lucky with some Philly and Tampa losses then they could very well be sitting on the dock of the bay making the road to the Super Bowl come through San Francisco.

I promised myself I was not going to do this but I cannot help it any longer.

49ers 28
Packers 24