Don't Look Now (1 Viewer)

[Bob_Magaw]

despite inconsistency on both sides of ball, just one game back AND the tie-breaker with six games left

of course, SEA could get on a roll with SA just having returned (though he didn't light it up sunday) & hasselbeck about to...

HC nolan has quietly done one of the better coaching jobs this season, & without twin first rounders vernon davis or manny lawson contributing much*... their OL seems to be coming together, and gore has been nothing short of spectacular lately, probably best RB in league last two weeks not named LT...

* also losing best defender peterson in offseason to FA, and i think LT jonas jennings (?)...

despite thread header, i expect SEA to win (they have a cupcake schedule), but it is still impressive that SF is within a game of the NFC west leaders 10 games into the season...

 

[AnonymousBob]

If it weren't for the Saints this team would be the biggest surprise of the season.

 

[5Rings]

yesterday's thread

 

[Isotopes]

I don't want to derail this thread, but had a question for anyone familiar with the 9ers....why does Gore come out in goalline situations? He seems like he would be more than capable of getting tough yards near the goalline.

 

[diesel7982]

I don't want to derail this thread, but had a question for anyone familiar with the 9ers....why does Gore come out in goalline situations? He seems like he would be more than capable of getting tough yards near the goalline.

Fumble-prone & showed little short-yardage ability earlier in the season.

 

[SigEp316]

I think Seattle takes it from here....with Hass coming back along with Alexander, I think they'll roll.

Nolan has done a good job with that team...another year or experience for Smith and the way Gore has come on, the Niners should be division contenders next year.

 

[Trap Play]

Fumble-prone & showed little short-yardage ability earlier in the season.

I'll give you the first part, but I'm not so sure about the second. It is clear however that Michael Robinson has been completely ineffective in his role as the short-yardage back. I think it is time to start rebuilding Gore's confidence by giving him some chances at the goal-line. It is in the 49ers best interest in the long-term to try and make him a complete back.

 

[5Rings]

Fumble-prone & showed little short-yardage ability earlier in the season.

I'll give you the first part, but I'm not so sure about the second. It is clear however that Michael Robinson has been completely ineffective in his role as the short-yardage back. I think it is time to start rebuilding Gore's confidence by giving him some chances at the goal-line. It is in the 49ers best interest in the long-term to try and make him a complete back.

 

[The Jacket]

If the Seahawks get on a roll, it will have nothing to do with Shaun Alexander.

 

[Bob_Magaw]

yesterday's thread

sorry for the honda (missed it yesterday)...i see mangini getting a lot of credit (& with pennington he arguably had more pieces to the puzzle in place), though nolan has gotten his team to a similar point... and given that both team probably had almost identically humble expectations from the pundits before the season (both supposedly among worst teams in league and in midst of serious rebuilds), hopefully nolan will start to get more credit nationally, too...

in fairness to mangini, his upset over pats at near full strength was probably more impressive than the 49ers victory over a depleted seahawks sunday...

 

[menobrown]

I'm really not confident of the 49'ers defense but I've really felt their offense was primed for big second half due to the return of Larry Allen and Vernon Davis. I look for Davis to take a more prominent role in this offense over the next few weeks open things up even more for Gore and maybe bring Bryant back to life since the last time he was productive was when Davis was playing.

I credit Norv Turnver for the 49'ers good play this year more than the overly coservative Nolan. Norv has that offense looking completely different meanwhile it might be time to appreciate the job Norv did last year with that Raider team. ....I think right now Nolan might be the most conservative coach in the NFL, even over Marty. He's made two bad 4th down decisions this year that reek of being overly conservative which is a good formula for an early round playoff exit and I think he's blowing it removing Gore at the goal line.

 

[5Rings]

yesterday's thread

sorry for the honda (missed it yesterday)...i see mangini getting a lot of credit (& with pennington he arguably had more pieces to the puzzle in place), though nolan has gotten his team to a similar point... and given that both team probably had almost identically humble expectations from the pundits before the season (both supposedly among worst teams in league and in midst of serious rebuilds), hopefully nolan will start to get more credit nationally, too...

in fairness to mangini, his upset over pats at near full strength was probably more impressive than the 49ers victory over a depleted seahawks sunday...

I agree.As for coach's performance, I think its fair to say Mangini inherited a team with far more talent than the 05 Niners mess that Nolan jumped into. Both have done a great job, so its really a "what flavor of ice cream tastes best" kinda question.

 

[Bob_Magaw]

I'm really not confident of the 49'ers defense but I've really felt their offense was primed for big second half due to the return of Larry Allen and Vernon Davis. I look for Davis to take a more prominent role in this offense over the next few weeks open things up even more for Gore and maybe bring Bryant back to life since the last time he was productive was when Davis was playing. I credit Norv Turnver for the 49'ers good play this year more than the overly coservative Nolan. Norv has that offense looking completely different meanwhile it might be time to appreciate the job Norv did last year with that Raider team. ....I think right now Nolan might be the most conservative coach in the NFL, even over Marty. He's made two bad 4th down decisions this year that reek of being overly conservative which is a good formula for an early round playoff exit and I think he's blowing it removing Gore at the goal line.

good point, but perhaps nolan should get some credit for hiring norv...(i don't think he is GM & therefore wouldn't have "hired" him, per se, and possibly front office had final say... but i'm guessing he had input, and maybe it was his call as long as it wasn't hiring FO was violently opposed too)...

 

[dickey moe]

If this happens, Frank Gore deserves some serious consideration for MVP.

 

[menobrown]

I'm really not confident of the 49'ers defense but I've really felt their offense was primed for big second half due to the return of Larry Allen and Vernon Davis. I look for Davis to take a more prominent role in this offense over the next few weeks open things up even more for Gore and maybe bring Bryant back to life since the last time he was productive was when Davis was playing. I credit Norv Turnver for the 49'ers good play this year more than the overly coservative Nolan. Norv has that offense looking completely different meanwhile it might be time to appreciate the job Norv did last year with that Raider team. ....I think right now Nolan might be the most conservative coach in the NFL, even over Marty. He's made two bad 4th down decisions this year that reek of being overly conservative which is a good formula for an early round playoff exit and I think he's blowing it removing Gore at the goal line.

good point, but perhaps nolan should get some credit for hiring norv...

I'd give him credit for that and as well as keeping the teams focus intact after a few humiliating losses and also for sticking with Frank Gore after his early season fumble problems.

 

[Bri]

yesterday's thread

sorry for the honda (missed it yesterday)...i see mangini getting a lot of credit (& with pennington he arguably had more pieces to the puzzle in place), though nolan has gotten his team to a similar point... and given that both team probably had almost identically humble expectations from the pundits before the season (both supposedly among worst teams in league and in midst of serious rebuilds), hopefully nolan will start to get more credit nationally, too...

in fairness to mangini, his upset over pats at near full strength was probably more impressive than the 49ers victory over a depleted seahawks sunday...

Yeah much appreciation for Mangini's work this year. Nolan inheritted a bad team with alot of bad attitudes and/or underperformers. There's a few former well known players he didn't seem to want them to pay big $ to keep. Guys like Lloyd , Andre Carter, Julian, Barlow etc. He shook their team identity and it sorely needed it.

other post-

Give Norv all the credit you want, the linemen Nolan had last year(playing along as if separate) were rooks and on IR, that line was beaten up pretty bad and their back was Barlow. Gore played some of the time like many rookies this year and every year. He's better in his 2nd year like backs often are. Some of his progress is normal or natural.

Alex Smith is eons better than last year.

Bryan Gilmore was on 9000 teams before the Niners and he's started and/or played because he works hard. Tell me again about Lloyd's drops or Owens' mouth? There's been a major change in San Fran. I give Norv credit for seeing Nolan's vision/goal and taking part in it. This is probably the worst O he's ever coached. Nolan having such an offensive cooridinator is vital to the team's success.

 

[crushtang]

Gore did have a fumble near the end of the game when the Niners were trying to run out the clock, and after the intereception Nolan came right back with Gore. Perhaps to show his sow his confidence in Gore.

San Francisco 49ers at 01:53

1-10-SEA36 (1:53) F.Gore up the middle to SEA 35 for 1 yard (L.Tatupu). FUMBLES (L.Tatupu), RECOVERED by SEA-G.Wistrom at SEA 35. G.Wistrom to SEA 35 for no gain (F.Gore).

Seattle Seahawks at 01:47

1-10-SEA35 (1:47) (Shotgun) S.Wallace sacked at SEA 26 for -9 yards (R.Green).

2-19-SEA26 (1:38) (Shotgun) S.Wallace pass intended for D.Hackett INTERCEPTED by W.Harris at SEA 39. W.Harris to SEA 34 for 5 yards (M.Strong).

San Francisco 49ers at 01:18

1-10-SEA34 (1:18) F.Gore left guard to SEA 17 for 17 yards (J.Babineaux).

 

[SigEp316]

If this happens, Frank Gore deserves some serious consideration for MVP.

Over LT

 

[Hellfire Snail]

If this happens, Frank Gore deserves some serious consideration for MVP.

Over LT

DEFINITELY deserves consideration. He has been nothing short of amazing. This is the kind of situation where isn't his offensive line, it isn't his offensive system, it isn't playing weak opponents, it's just Frank Gore being a fantastic running back. What a year.But realistically it's a two horse race between LT and Manning, and right now, LT is ahead by a couple lengths.

 

[The Jacket]

DEFINITELY deserves consideration. He has been nothing short of amazing. This is the kind of situation where isn't his offensive line, it isn't his offensive system, it isn't playing weak opponents, it's just Frank Gore being a fantastic running back. What a year.

Not that I'd disagree, but that goes for a number of backs having equally as good, or perhaps even better, years.

 

[Hellfire Snail]

DEFINITELY deserves consideration. He has been nothing short of amazing. This is the kind of situation where isn't his offensive line, it isn't his offensive system, it isn't playing weak opponents, it's just Frank Gore being a fantastic running back. What a year.

Not that I'd disagree, but that goes for a number of backs having equally as good, or perhaps even better, years.

Such as? The backs having great years, in my opinion, are all benefiting far more from their situations than Gore is. Nobody expected him to do well this year because he was on the Niners. And frankly, he shouldn't be. But he is.

 

[Lemmiwinks]

Niners Bro!

Viva Nolan! Viva Norv! Viva Gore! Viva Brandon Moore!

NINERS NINERS NINERS NINERS

Sorry, but it's been a while since they've given me ANYTHING to cheer about. What an awesome game yesterday... we took down the NFC Champs (albeit without Hasselbeck or a 100% alexander, but I'll take it).

 

[Dulymus Mudhounds]

What do you see happening this weekend against the Rams? 9'ers defense leaves a lot to be desired even though the rams o-line is probably the worst in the league right now.

I could definitely see it being a shootout with either team winning with a last second field goal.

MO

 

[Lauryn]

If this happens, Frank Gore deserves some serious consideration for MVP.

 

[Lauryn]

at all this

interesting that so many people can get behind a team that's lost 41-0, 41-10, and 48-19 to the only decent teams they've played (minus a banged up seattle).

quality wins over an up-and-down rams team, and lousy minny/detroit/oakland teams are enough to get anyone talking playoffs!

please guys, lay off the drugs

 

[dickey moe]

If this happens, Frank Gore deserves some serious consideration for MVP.

Yeah, yeah I know you're a hater and think he sucks because of his fumbling problem. Move along...

 

[chinawildman]

Nobody's claiming the niners are goin' all the way. It's only been noted that they are 5-5 and have a shot at the playoffs, which in the mediocre NFC, isn't laughable by any means. One need only look at the "quality" wins of the current division leaders in the conference to understand that.

at all thisinteresting that so many people can get behind a team that's lost 41-0, 41-10, and 48-19 to the only decent teams they've played (minus a banged up seattle).quality wins over an up-and-down rams team, and lousy minny/detroit/oakland teams are enough to get anyone talking playoffs! please guys, lay off the drugs

 

[Bob_Magaw]

at all thisinteresting that so many people can get behind a team that's lost 41-0, 41-10, and 48-19 to the only decent teams they've played (minus a banged up seattle).quality wins over an up-and-down rams team, and lousy minny/detroit/oakland teams are enough to get anyone talking playoffs! please guys, lay off the drugs

are you suggesting that it was a foregone conclusion in pre-season that the 49ers would be .500 ten games into season & just one game out of NFC west lead?now who is smoking what... : sherm... & i ain't talking about lewis :

 

[Lemmiwinks]

at all thisinteresting that so many people can get behind a team that's lost 41-0, 41-10, and 48-19 to the only decent teams they've played (minus a banged up seattle).quality wins over an up-and-down rams team, and lousy minny/detroit/oakland teams are enough to get anyone talking playoffs! please guys, lay off the drugs

Oh please. The Niners were not expected to do anything better than 4-12 this season. They are on pace to be 8-8 and have a legit shot at the NFC West. You can disparage the quality of opposition in this league, but bear in mind that the Jets beat NE not less than 2 weeks ago. This is the NFL, there is parity. No team is a complete doormat. Just admit the niners have played well these last 3 weeks, especially defensively, and leave it at that.

 

[MarcO]

despite inconsistency on both sides of ball, just one game back AND the tie-breaker with six games leftof course, SEA could get on a roll with SA just having returned (though he didn't light it up sunday) & hasselbeck about to...HC nolan has quietly done one of the better coaching jobs this season, & without twin first rounders vernon davis or manny lawson contributing much*... their OL seems to be coming together, and gore has been nothing short of spectacular lately, probably best RB in league last two weeks not named LT...* also losing best defender peterson in offseason to FA, and i think LT jonas jennings (?)... despite thread header, i expect SEA to win (they have a cupcake schedule), but it is still impressive that SF is within a game of the NFC west leaders 10 games into the season...

If Hasselbeck plays yesterday, the Seahawks win that game going away. This is the closest the 49ers will be to winning the division so they should enjoy it while they can. I'm not trying to take anything away from the hell of a job that Nolan has done and what Norv Turner has done with Alex Smith but they will not come close to winning the division.

 

[Rovers]

Sorta funny.... there was a tread just before the season started in which I was roundly ridiculed for saying the two most under rated teams were SF and the NYJ's. I never said they were contending teams, but that I saw 7 win seasons for both, and possibly better than that. Once in a while even a blind sq......

 

[The Jacket]

Such as? The backs having great years, in my opinion, are all benefiting far more from their situations than Gore is. Nobody expected him to do well this year because he was on the Niners. And frankly, he shouldn't be. But he is.

Larry Johnson?Equally as bad weapons, equally as bad offensive line play (far worse in the head-to-head matchup between the two, however: SF's front seven dominated the Chiefs) - if not worse in both of these regards.

If you can make a legitimate case that Gore is in a "far worse" situation than Johnson, I'll name my unborn child after you.

His supporting cast is solid enough to keep the running game honest, and his offensive line isn't that bad.

 

[chinawildman]

I don't really buy that. IMO it will come down to the rematch in week 15 in seattle. Both teams face a similar schedule down the stretch, with the niners having one more road game (in seattle). If the niners can beat the seahawks in seattle, I think their chances of winning the division are very good.

If Hasselbeck plays yesterday, the Seahawks win that game going away. This is the closest the 49ers will be to winning the division so they should enjoy it while they can. I'm not trying to take anything away from the hell of a job that Nolan has done and what Norv Turner has done with Alex Smith but they will not come close to winning the division.

 

[Bob_Magaw]

despite inconsistency on both sides of ball, just one game back AND the tie-breaker with six games leftof course, SEA could get on a roll with SA just having returned (though he didn't light it up sunday) & hasselbeck about to...HC nolan has quietly done one of the better coaching jobs this season, & without twin first rounders vernon davis or manny lawson contributing much*... their OL seems to be coming together, and gore has been nothing short of spectacular lately, probably best RB in league last two weeks not named LT...* also losing best defender peterson in offseason to FA, and i think LT jonas jennings (?)... despite thread header, i expect SEA to win (they have a cupcake schedule), but it is still impressive that SF is within a game of the NFC west leaders 10 games into the season...

If Hasselbeck plays yesterday, the Seahawks win that game going away. This is the closest the 49ers will be to winning the division so they should enjoy it while they can. I'm not trying to take anything away from the hell of a job that Nolan has done and what Norv Turner has done with Alex Smith but they will not come close to winning the division.

i noted in first post i expect SEA to win division...but you are really no more nervous about having them in rear view mirror one game back (with tie-breaker) than 3-4 games back?if SEA doesn't suffer any more major injuries (or probably more important, RE-injuries), they have to be favored... but there is an IF there, which didn't come through in your post...while it still may be long odds for 49ers to win, the odds have shrunk considerably since week one...

 

[Rovers]

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...howtopic=247185

 

[MarcO]

despite inconsistency on both sides of ball, just one game back AND the tie-breaker with six games leftof course, SEA could get on a roll with SA just having returned (though he didn't light it up sunday) & hasselbeck about to...HC nolan has quietly done one of the better coaching jobs this season, & without twin first rounders vernon davis or manny lawson contributing much*... their OL seems to be coming together, and gore has been nothing short of spectacular lately, probably best RB in league last two weeks not named LT...* also losing best defender peterson in offseason to FA, and i think LT jonas jennings (?)... despite thread header, i expect SEA to win (they have a cupcake schedule), but it is still impressive that SF is within a game of the NFC west leaders 10 games into the season...

If Hasselbeck plays yesterday, the Seahawks win that game going away. This is the closest the 49ers will be to winning the division so they should enjoy it while they can. I'm not trying to take anything away from the hell of a job that Nolan has done and what Norv Turner has done with Alex Smith but they will not come close to winning the division.

i noted in first post i expect SEA to win division...but you are really no more nervous about having them in rear view mirror one game back (with tie-breaker) than 3-4 games back?if SEA doesn't suffer any more major injuries (or probably more important, RE-injuries), they have to be favored... but there is an IF there, which didn't come through in your post...while it still may be long odds for 49ers to win, the odds have shrunk considerably since week one...

The feeling that I get from Holmgren is that he has been trying to stretch the rehab time for the injuries out as long as possible as long as the team is treading water and in no danger of missing the playoffs. It wasn't just Hass and Alexander who have been hurt. 3/5 of the offensive line have been banged up and a couple of DL guys as well. He accomplished what he wanted and now he will get most of the guys back (except on the DL)this coming week against GB. Holmgren knows that if his team is healthy they will roll. In terms of games back - yes, it is close but in terms of which team will go to the playoffs and which will not - 90% chance the Seahawks go.

 

[Hands_on_the_Heisman]

Nobody's claiming the niners are goin' all the way. It's only been noted that they are 5-5 and have a shot at the playoffs, which in the mediocre NFC, isn't laughable by any means. One need only look at the "quality" wins of the current division leaders in the conference to understand that.

Exactly. As a 49ers fan, I hoped this team could win 5 games ALL SEASON. The fact that they are now one win away from being above .500 in the second half of the season is a bloody miracle. Yes, we all know that this team, even if it makes the playoffs, isn't strong enough to make a run at the Super Bowl. But just to even be able to hope for the playoffs, after the train wreck that developed last year, is a great feeling.Most importantly: you can see they are moving in the right direction, toward being a contender again (in seasons to come.)Nolan for Mayor (of Santa Clara)

 

[the rover]

despite inconsistency on both sides of ball, just one game back AND the tie-breaker with six games leftof course, SEA could get on a roll with SA just having returned (though he didn't light it up sunday) & hasselbeck about to...HC nolan has quietly done one of the better coaching jobs this season, & without twin first rounders vernon davis or manny lawson contributing much*... their OL seems to be coming together, and gore has been nothing short of spectacular lately, probably best RB in league last two weeks not named LT...* also losing best defender peterson in offseason to FA, and i think LT jonas jennings (?)... despite thread header, i expect SEA to win (they have a cupcake schedule), but it is still impressive that SF is within a game of the NFC west leaders 10 games into the season...

If Hasselbeck plays yesterday, the Seahawks win that game going away. This is the closest the 49ers will be to winning the division so they should enjoy it while they can. I'm not trying to take anything away from the hell of a job that Nolan has done and what Norv Turner has done with Alex Smith but they will not come close to winning the division.

i noted in first post i expect SEA to win division...but you are really no more nervous about having them in rear view mirror one game back (with tie-breaker) than 3-4 games back?if SEA doesn't suffer any more major injuries (or probably more important, RE-injuries), they have to be favored... but there is an IF there, which didn't come through in your post...while it still may be long odds for 49ers to win, the odds have shrunk considerably since week one...

Why are you calling a division home win a tiebreaker? They still have to play at Seattle.

 

[JuniorNB]

The Niners are a storied franchise and it's nice to see them turning things around. I fully expect them to be contenders in the next year or two.

That being said, one has to look no farther than their scores against quality opponents this year to see where they rank.

They are exactly what their record says they are, a very average team.

Generally speaking, they beat the poor teams (with the exception of Arizona), they get slaughtered by the good teams, and they play decently against beat-up average teams (Seattle).

We will see things a little more clearly in the next two weeks. They play two teams on the decline- St. Louis and New Orleans. If they can win these games, they can actually be considered wild card contenders. I have a feeling they lose three of their next four.

Like I said, though, they weren't supposed to be a .500 team at this point. Even if they finish 7-9 (which I predict they will), it is a step in the right direction.

 

[Bob_Magaw]

despite inconsistency on both sides of ball, just one game back AND the tie-breaker with six games leftof course, SEA could get on a roll with SA just having returned (though he didn't light it up sunday) & hasselbeck about to...HC nolan has quietly done one of the better coaching jobs this season, & without twin first rounders vernon davis or manny lawson contributing much*... their OL seems to be coming together, and gore has been nothing short of spectacular lately, probably best RB in league last two weeks not named LT...* also losing best defender peterson in offseason to FA, and i think LT jonas jennings (?)... despite thread header, i expect SEA to win (they have a cupcake schedule), but it is still impressive that SF is within a game of the NFC west leaders 10 games into the season...

If Hasselbeck plays yesterday, the Seahawks win that game going away. This is the closest the 49ers will be to winning the division so they should enjoy it while they can. I'm not trying to take anything away from the hell of a job that Nolan has done and what Norv Turner has done with Alex Smith but they will not come close to winning the division.

i noted in first post i expect SEA to win division...but you are really no more nervous about having them in rear view mirror one game back (with tie-breaker) than 3-4 games back?if SEA doesn't suffer any more major injuries (or probably more important, RE-injuries), they have to be favored... but there is an IF there, which didn't come through in your post...while it still may be long odds for 49ers to win, the odds have shrunk considerably since week one...

Why are you calling a division home win a tiebreaker? They still have to play at Seattle.

my terminology was off... i just meant in sense that only one game into a two game series, i'd rather be 1-0 than 0-1... at worst, if they lose, they will have split the games... they still have a chance to sweep, SEA has none... if rams finish with same record as SEA and they both have best record in NFC west, STL can't win division as they already dropped both games in divisional head to head meetings...you are right, unless SF wins in SEA, no tie breaker advantage scenario with tied overall record finish...* but more precisely, SF does have the advantage on the head to head tie-breaker with SEA, being 1-0 so far...not sure what tie-breaker is if both teams finish 1-1 against each other with identical overall record... record within division... conference? not sure where they stand on those...

 

[chinawildman]

Objectively speaking, both the seahawks and niners (excluding the remaining game against each other) have 2 tough games and 3 very winnable games each.

SF: "winnable" -> ARI,GB, @STL

"tough" -> @NO, @DEN

SEA: "winnable" -> GB, @ARI, @TB

"tough" -> SD, @DEN

Again, as a niners fan, I must concede that the seahawks have the edge in their rematch, as it appears almost all NFC west teams play very poorly on the road and very well at home, not to mention seattle will have their star power back for the rematch.

However, taking the road woes of the NFC west into consideration, I would venture to say that the "winnable" games for the niners are "more winnable" than the seahawk games.

Now, from the standpoint of a homer, the niners have one issue. They need to start believing that they can win. From the past 3 weeks it appears they look lost when they're ahead in games because they're rarely in that situation. I totally buy into the saying that football is 75% mental. If they start getting a swagger I think the seahawks need to watch out.

The point of all this rambling is that if the niners win their rematch in seattle, they would become the favorite to win the NFC west... which is something unthinkable just 3 weeks ago.

 

[menobrown]

.I think right now Nolan might be the most conservative coach in the NFL, even over Marty. He's made two bad 4th down decisions this year that reek of being overly conservative which is a good formula for an early round playoff exit.

I just wanted to mention Nolan blew it again today on 4th down and an inch from the GL.

 

[Lemmiwinks]

That was BS. Why respect the Rams run D on 4th and a centimeter? Why kick that field goal? The Rams couldn't stop the run all day! Nolan pulled this crap last week against Seattle and luckily got a win. This week it blew up in our faces.

 

[Trap Play]

I think Nolan got cold feet when Gore injured his foot/ankle or they would've gone for it. Hopefully, this is a lesson learned.

 

[menobrown]

I think Nolan got cold feet when Gore injured his foot/ankle or they would've gone for it. Hopefully, this is a lesson learned.

I doubt Nolan learned any lesson yesterday. That was the third horrible decision this season by Nolan to not go for it on 4th down.