49ers hold off Bangles on the road, 13-8

The San Francisco 49ers headed to Cincinnati for their first road game of the 2011 season with a 1-1 record. After an excruciatingly slow first haft, which left the 49ers trailing 3-0, the 49ers found some life offensively and were able to put up 10 points in the fourth quarter and took the lead 13-6. 

Punter Andy Lee took matters (from his foot) into his own hands as he scrambled to take the last eight seconds off the clock by running out of the back of the end zone, attempting to run the clock wound down.

49ers vs. Bangles week 3 preview

The San Francisco 49ers first road game of the season will prove to be a major test for both players and coaches coming off a heartbreaking loss to the Dallas Cowboys in week 2.

A pick-um-game against the Cincinnati Bangles will test the 49ers ability to not only overcome a rough loss, but also to overcome an East Coast away game, where the 49ers have struggled in recent years.

The 49ers will be without Braylon Edwards, but will see Michael Crabtree and Shawntae Spencer return to action this week.

49ers fail to hold off Cowboys in Overtime (24-27)

Despite a San Francisco 49ers' 14-0 lead late in the second quarter (and a 24-14 lead early in the forth quarter), the on-the-road Dallas Cowboys were to overcome a two-score deficit and a loss coin toss in overtime to defeat the 49ers 27-24. 

Despite having never trailed in regulation, Head Coach Jim Harbaugh drew heavy criticism for a conservative game plan that many thought looked more like former Head Coach Mike Singletary's offense, than a promised West Coast style.

After two weeks of NFL play, the 49ers (1-1) are ranked 31st in overall offense.   

No more hiding for Harbaugh

This is it Jim. This is the game where you come out of hiding. This is the game where your mysterious “Blue Collar” offense rides the bench.

San Francisco 49ers’ Head Coach Jim Harbaugh is now facing a very real team with a chance to show a very real West Coast Offense to the Dallas Cowboys – and, a very impatient 49ers’ fan base. 

Sure, Harbaugh could play another conservative game, lose and have the rookie head coach reality carry him past the panic button. However, this is a defining moment for the new coach – and an underdog win over the cowboys would be a defining win as he starts his career.

As former 49ers’ NFL Hall of Fame player Ronnie Lott said, “He needs to change the culture,” and a win Sunday night would not only give a small step, but a giant leap for 49ers-kind in that direction.