San Francisco 49ers: Why They Keep Losing

Anyone who watched the 49ers since Mike Nolan took over noticed one immutable fact: Almost every time they had short yard situations, they failed to get it with power running. With 40 some seconds remaining in the game against the Cardinals on Monday Night, it was a perfect time to call a quick corner fade rout rather than wasting a down, and twenty seconds, to spike the football. Then, they brought in a power running formation that has failed time and again in goal-line situations in the past few years. Gore, unable to pound it up the middle, nearly goes in after bouncing it outside on second and goal. Which led to an obvious point: You don't run conventionally again. Last year, in a woeful game against the Cards, the 49ers trailed late. It had not been a pretty game, but the Niners made their way to the goal-line with 26 seconds on the clock. The play: end around. The Result: Touchdown. This year against the Eagles, we had 3rd-and-1 in the second quarter and ran it up the gut. Result: No ... (link)