The 49ers, with their season on the line, not only suffered a humiliating loss at home to their archrival, the Rams, last Thursday but they were also exposed to further embarrassment when the backup linebacker (Campbell) refused to enter the game, despite the outcome hanging in the balance, and eventually left the field after being verbally undressed by GM John Lynch. For a proud franchise that has experienced its share of misery this year, this was the lowest of low points. In the following days, everyone, from players to coaches, called Campbell out for his unconscionable actions and made it known that the 49ers were not an organization that tolerated quitting.
Although their playoff hopes were dashed, this unfortunate and unforeseen event has united the team and the locker room in a way that bodes well for the Niners chances as they travel to Miami on Sunday. Though they will not be playing for a playoff spot, they will be playing for a cause that is just as important to a professional athlete: to show the world that, unlike their ignominious teammate, they are not quitters! Only winning this game can wipe away the stench of last Thursday’s proceedings.
It is worth noting that the Niners have had a historically awful schedule this year, with the greatest rest deficit, when facing an opponent, in modern NFL history. Ironically, this is one of the rare weeks where they will have the rest advantage over the Dolphins, who are coming off a disappointing loss against the Texans that, for all intents and purposes, ended their playoff hopes. Unlike the 49ers, however, the Dolphins don’t have a cause to rally behind. Yes, McDaniel will want to one up or defeat his old mentor but the mentor will also want to beat his protege, so that’s a wash. Meanwhile, the 49ers defense is getting healthier, or as healthy as they have been all year, and was nearly good enough to win the game on their own last week against a prolific Rams offense had a certain linebacker not quit and left the arena.
Furthermore, for a league that love’s storylines, if the Niners win this game and go into next week with some momentum, they will set up a fascinating and dramatic Monday night matchup against the reeling Lions who are desperately trying to hang on to their #1 seed. A few weeks ago, that game looked like a revenge game for the surging Lions who promised to mop the floor with putrid Niners. But that narrative has changed in recent weeks, with Detroit suddenly becoming vulnerable and will change even more if the Niners defense can shut down the Miami scoring machine this week in their home stadium and get the W.
10 units on the Niners ML -100 to win 10 units
Good luck
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