“This was a strange game which promised to be as difficult as any playoff game before and after. The 49ers boost and also boast a very strong squad, both literally and figuratively. Alshon Jeffery is a freak, Montana is a beast. There are other honorable mentions like Nomellini, Hopkins among others. And they sport 2 killers like Patriots do. All in all, teams were pretty matched, and all was set up for an intense, positioning heavy game...

...it did not happen...

Not that there was lack of fight, but 49ers went for causing injuries, which did not happen at the rate they hoped. All in all Patriots scored twice without much resistance for the ball carrier, and cagers. They were able to move swiftly, and met little to no resistance. On the other hand, the rest of the team needed to take a few for that in return.

49ers were busy blitzing, hitting, fouling, ganging up. Sanders, Zidina, Clifton needed to take a few hits for the sake of the SB dreams, which they did admirably.

Zidina was especially on fire, he was ready for the time when his number was called. The gameplan allowed exactly 1 fouling attempt for him, and he was on the pitch, and in the right position to strike, and made excellent attempt. He almost killed Nunley, only the apothecary saved his life. And he was not ejected either, signaling the referee was amazed by his concentration, as well! This was a turning point of the game, which helped at stopping a 49ers stall, and allowed the Patriots to score in the same half.
”