The Mark Stoops Dynasty

[Spitfire]

Fucking Davis just like his old man, idiotic and completely irrational to the point of being a dipshit.

At least the game is realistic...

 

[Spitfire]

OOC: My other team options were the Redskins (3-13), Rams (6-10), Patriot (5-11), Dolphins (4-12) & Buccaneers (6-10) if anyone was interested, but the 49ers being the worst team last season was the most poetic transition.

 

[Spitfire]

Week One - Week Two

Mark Stoops' fifth season in the National Football League would begin with the 49ers opening the season at Levi Stadium against the Green Bay Packers (Week One). Prior to the game Stoops would confirm that his objective this season was very much to create a new culture in San Fransisco with it being of the upmost importance that the 49ers improved on the 2-14 record they had held with the previous leadership team, although would be very realistic in stating that all he required from his new team was to win six games for the season and that he had no expectations for the franchise even getting close to the playoffs. This point would be backed up by Stormberd, who would say that the 2023 season was all about rebuilding and allowing rookie QB Perry Thurmond (Boston College) to grow in confidence and therefore the rest of the team were aware that a lot of the offensive approach would involving on the floor running players, so as not to overburden Thurmond.

(Perry Thurmond QB1)

Stoops would make it clear though that Matt Breida had informed that he would be involved in a high percentage of plays for the season, and that also he was scouting the free agency market to find a secondary to Half Back to offer the team more security for the rest of the season. The Packers Quarterback Derek Carr would also speak to the press, and make it clear that he had a lot of respect for Stoops' and had understood why he had been traded for Rodgers in 2020. However, he saw today as an opportunity to show Stoops' how much he had grown as a player and that if Stoop & Stormberd had been a little bit more patient they might of realised trading him away was actually the wrong decision.

(Derek Carr - Green Bay Packers QB1)

The game would begin with Green Bay opening the scoring with Carr throwing a pass touchdown and it would be noted that Carr seemed to deliberately run past Stoops' as he celebrated the score. The San Fransisco coaching staff looked less than impressed by this form of showboating, and if anything it seemed to act as a motivation for Stormberd who would seem to call an impromptu meeting for all the defensive players on the sideline. Q2 would see the 49ers get back into the game with Jason Myers scoring his first field goal as a member of the franchise, before Matt Breida would do what was expected of him as he would cross over into the end zone to score an important touchdown for the 49ers. Unfortunately, Myers would be unable to convert the PAT with the San Fran a narrow 7-9 lead at half time.

Perry Thurmond had been avoiding risk, but had thrown two interceptions in the first half and it was clear that he was suffering from game day nerves. In the third quarter on 2nd & Goal (6 yards out) he would throw a bullet pass to Marquise Goodwin for the TD, that would mark Thurmond's first professional passing touchdown and with Myers converting the PAT that 49ers would find themselves with a 7-16 lead. The Packers would convert a FG in Q4, but to everyone's surprise it would be San Fransisco who would emerge as the victors during Kick Off Weekend. Thurmond would throw 13/20 completions for 187 yard with 1 TD and 2 Int, however the rookie would be hoisted in the air by his team mates and it was clear that the team understood what Stoops was trying to do for the franchise.

10 - 16

​

Green Bay Packers	7	0	0	3	10
San Fransisco 49ers	0	9	7	0	16

For Week Two the 49ers would remain at home for what was very much a nice way for Stoops to ease into a new season with a new team as they would welcome the Dallas Cowboys. The game would be a cagey affair, and one in which the 49ers defence would really shine and being proving themselves as the strongest asset that Stoops' had within this new setup. Myers would make another FG for the San Fran in Q1, but most of the the first half would be a close and cagey affair. Dak Prescott was performing an air raid though on the 49ers in the late portion of the second quarter as the Cowboys would secure four first down in four consecutive players. This confidence seemed to get the better for Prescott as he would go for five in a row, only for the former Cowboy Jourdan Lewis to intercept the ball and proceed to sprint down the sidelines to score a defensive touchdown for San Fransisco undoing all the hard work of Dallas as the half would end 0-10 in favour of the home side.

The rest of the match would continue to be a tight affair with neither side scoring until the last minute of the game where Prescott would prevent the Cowboys from being shutout as he would find Jaylen Smith for the passing touchdown with just 0:23 left on the clock. Dallas would attempt the Onside Kick, but wouldn't be able to recover it giving the 49ers their second victory and taking them to 2-o for the season.

7 - 10

​

Dallas Cowboys	0	0	0	7	7
San Fransisco 49ers	3	7	0	0	10

In the days following the victory Jarno Stormberd would confirm that Christian Culver (LT) who had been the 49ers fourth pick in the 2023 draft (Round 3 #27) was a rookie who had a lot of potential, but that the pair had discussed and Culver had admitted that he still felt like he had a lot of improvements to make and that he felt targeted as a weak point in the past two games. Stormberd would make it clear that Culver's realisation showed his maturity and that he was someone who would be part of the longterm plans of the franchise. However, he would announce that a trade had taken place and that 2020 Draft Pick Jeffrey McCulloch LB (70 Rating) had been swapped for Las Vegas Raiders' Right Tackle Nick Holman (74 Rating).
Holman had been drafted by Stoops' in the season previous (Round 3 #5), but had actually been the Raiders' first actual pick last year. Stormberd would make it clear that Holman apparently had not been part of Mike Tomlin's plans but the 49ers would be looking to put former Oregon man in as a starter.

(Nick Holman RT - Oregon Ducks)

Holman would go on record in stating when he had been drafted last season, Stoops had guaranteed that he would be a starting player in the league come the 2025 season and that he had been prepared to put in the hard work as a cover play up until that time. He said that he was glad that Stoops hadn't forgotten about him, and that he was thrilled as the prospect of making his first game start one in next week's game against Philly.

Stoops would go on record and make it clear to everyone watching that he was incredibly pleased with the hard work that was taking place both on and off the field and that the boys should be extremely chuffed that they were 2-0 for the season. Stoops would remind everyone that if the San Fran won on the road next week, they would already have surpassed their previous season with three wins from three.
​

 

[Spitfire]

Week Three

Week Three would see the 49ers travel to Philadelphia to play the Eagles, whom had made last season NFC Championship match and lost to the eventual Super Bowl LVII winners the Saints. For this reason alone this was already seen as a game that San Fransisco were unlikely to come out on top in. It seemed though that nobody had informed Matt Brieda of this information though, as the first half would end with the 49ers Half Back having scored a hat trick of rushing touchdown (all within the red zone) to give San Fransisco a 21-7 lead at half time with the Eagles scoring a rushing TD of their own.

The dominance of the 49ers looked set to continue as they continue to advance in the second half, and in Q3 they would attempt a trick play 45 yards out. They would fake a FG attempt, and instead Matt Dalton would look to attempt to throw on 4th down however he would find himself taken out and fumbling the ball. This would lead to a fumble recovery from the Eagles and a full sprint down the field to score a defensive TD turning the game into a once score game.

The Eagles would mount the pressure again and look for deep coverage only for Trevor Williams (the former Eagles) to charge down the field and score a defensive touchdown taking the score to 28-14. Brieda would then add insult to injury by scoring his fourth rushing touchdown of the game give the 49ers a shock victory of 35-14.

35 - 14

​

San Fransisco 49ers	7	14	0	14	35
Philadelphia Eagles	0	7	7	0	14

Following the games Matt Brieda would be awarded as the NFC Offensive Player of the Week with 24 carries, 129 Rush Yards, 4 Rushing TDS at an average distance of 5.4 yards. The 49ers would also announce the signing of Alexander Mattison who would take on the roles as the 2nd String HB to Brieda. Mattison had previously been with the Vikings, but had not been resigned at the end of the season.

(Alexander Mattison - 2nd String HB)

The victory would also take the 49ers to 3-0 for the season, meaning they had already done better than last season. ​

 

[Chris]

Imagine already having more wins than your last season...week 3

 

[Spitfire]

I wish I knew who there coach had been previously - I would have torn them apart in a presser.

 

[Spitfire]

Week Four - Week Six

The entire 49ers setup seemed to have an entirely new positive outlook on how they approached games, with a belief that they had a credible chance of taking on the rest of the season with a small chance of actually winning more than just a couple of games. San Fransisco would stay on the road for Week Four to travel to New York to play the Giants. The 49ers would start the game in a similar fashion to how they had approached the Philadelphia game by playing for positive yardage and Thurmond throw his second passing touchdown of his career and he would route out Tight End George Kittle with San Fransisco taking an early lead in the game. The points would continue to roll as Thurmond would then throw his third career touchdown this time caught by Goodwin before Myers would convert a FG as the 49ers would end the half with a 17-0 lead.

(Logan Cooke - 49ers Punter)

The second half would really get exciting when the 49ers found themselves deep in their own half and had to give the ball to Cooke for the punt. The kick with the wind behind him would bounce by the sideline and exit the field at the Giant's 2-yard line putting a mountain of pressure on them. And the pressure would prove to be two much, as Bortles would be down in his end zone for the safety with San Fransisco taking a 19-0 lead. The 49ers special team would also shine as Andy Dalton would get a chance to redeem himself after last week fumble, as he would make a QB Sneak on 4&1 within San Fran's red zone.

Giant QB Blake Bortles would throw a passing touchdown in Q3 (fail the PAT) and seemed to have got a bit of confidence to him when the Giants offence next had the ball. Bortles would choose to run for yards instead of passing, but seemed to get greedy and rather than sliding would instead be smashed by Joyner to force a fumble. The former Raiders FS Joyner would then recover the ball to end the Giants drive. Neither side would score in the fourth quarter and the 49ers would win the game 19-6.

19 - 6

​

San Fransisco 49ers	7	10	2	0	19
New York Giants	0	0	6	0	6

NFC WEST	W	L
San Fransisco 49ers	4	0
Seattle Seahawks	2	2
Los Angeles Rams	1	3
Arizona Cardinals	0	4

After four games into the season, the 49ers had actually found themselves in the strongest position in the NFC West. This led to Jonathan Coachman referring to Stoops' as the 'West Coast Wizard' making the reference that Stoops' had clearly found a way to master football on the western side of the country, however 'The Coach' would make it clear that Stoops would only truly become the 'WCW' if he was able to get victories over his divisional rivals and would have his first test in Week 5 as the 49ers would travel to Los Angeles to play the Rams. In a game that was filled with controversy.

The 49ers would be the first team to get their points on the scoreboard as they had in their last four game with the ever reliable Myers converting an FG. However, in the second quarter as the Giants kicked a field goal of their own - the match officials would deem that the 49ers had made contact with the kicker after the play that would instead offer the Giants 1st & Goal on the 1 yard line which would lead to the Giants scoring the touchdown and instead of tying up the game were now ahead by four points at 3-7. Thurmond though would throw his fourth touchdown of the season, later in the half but much to everyone's surprise Myers would miss the PAT resulting in the 49ers only having a 9-7 lead at the break.

The third quarter would see the 49ers rely on their running game and Matt Brieda would make a long 17 yard run to score his first touchdown of the game. He would score his second towards the start of the Q4. The 49ers would attempt a 2-point PAT but it wouldn't amass to anything as the score would 22-7. Myers would extend San Fransisco's lead further with a second FG of the game with the away side leading 25-7 with eight minutes left on the clock. The Rams though wouldn't give up and score a rushing touchdown of their own closing the gap to 22-13. However, on the PAT kick they would find themselves blocked by absolute unit Fred Warner.

(Fred Warner Linebacker)

Not only would Warner block the kick, but he would also recover the ball and manage to run (as fast as he could) down the pitch to score a 2-point Defensive Conversion in what would prove to be the last points scored in what had been a very strange game.

27 - 13

​

San Fransisco 49ers	3	6	7	9(+2)	27
Los Angeles Rams	0	7	0	6	6

Following the game Keke Coutee (formerly of the Texans) would be listed as being injured with a shoulder tear and was expected to be out of action for five weeks.

(Keke Coutee - Wide Reciever)

The 49ers would return to Levi Stadium after three games on the road and find themselves in an incredibly strong position of 5-0 playing host to the Washington Redskins in Week 6. The game was nothing to write home about other than Alexander Mattison scoring his first and second rushing touchdown for the 49ers in a victory at home that would also see Matt Brieda add his name to score list. The Redskins were competitive in the game, but San Fransisco kept the ball on the ground and had a masterful approach in regards to clock management that made it next to impossible for Washington to ever get in touching distance themselves.

10 - 21

​

Washington Redskins	0	7	0	3	10
San Fransisco 49ers	7	7	0	7	21

With the 49ers now 33% of the way through the regular season they found themselves in a position that no one had been expecting as they were undefeated with a record of 6-0. To make matter more interesting Matt Brieda had made 736 rushing yards and score a total of 8 touchdown which made him the currently rushing leader in the entire National Football League and looking strong as one of the most dangerous players of the 2023 season. It was not surprise that he would be recognised as the player of the first 1/3. Rookie QB Thurmond was also starting to impress having thrown the ball for 715 yards with a 70% completion rate. He might have only passed for four touchdown and thrown five interceptions, but it already quite clear that the young QB had all the potential to be a fan favourite in San Fransisco.

(Matt Breida - Player of the First 1/3)

Mark Stoops would make it clear to all of the media that despite the 49ers having started the season perhaps better than anyone else predicted, he would make it clear that the locker-room was filled with a range of talented players both young and old, and from his position they had so far done what was expected from them six weeks in a row. He would make it clear that beating the Eagles and the Rams in the manner they did, had been slightly surprising but perhaps this suggest that previous coaches simply hadn't understood how to manage the players that were available at hand or by way of trades and the free agents.

The point would be made that everyone was allowed to tweak their teams year in and year out, and that you didn't need to solely rely on the players in the yearly draft to improve the squad of player you have. Stoops would smile when he was questioned if playoffs were possibility, and he would simply state that his target for the season had been six wins and that objective had already been achieved. Everything from here on out was just a bonus.

​

 

[Spitfire]

I've also realised that Oakland ---> Las Vegas ---> San Fran are all relatively close to each other in regards to the whole league. Totally accidental.

 

[Spitfire]

Week Seven - Week Twelve

Week Seven would see the 49ers have a Bye Week and Stormberd would inform the press that the team had been given a couple days of R & R ahead of preparing themselves for an important game against the Steelers. The game would prove to be a difficult encounter for San Fransisco who would be unable to score a touchdown and only manage to score two field goals. With only five minutes on the clock the 49ers had a narrow lead of 3-6, but the flood gates would eventually open up and Week Eight would see Fransisco suffer their first defeat of the season by way of Running Back James Connor TD.

(James Conner - Steelers RB)

Stoops wouldn't hide away from the fact that is was disappointing to lose and end the winning streak, but he would make it clear that he was extremely proud of the manner in which the 49ers had been performing since his arrival to San Fransisco.

10 - 6

Pittsburgh Steelers	0	0	3	7	10
San Fransisco 49ers	0	6	0	0	6

On Week Nine the 49ers would return on the road travelling to Tampa Bay. Stormberd would reveal to the press prior to the game that at one point the Buccaneers had been one of the team that Mark had considered joining following his sacking with the Raiders, and Jarno would only have have praise for the setup and the Glazer family. Some suggested this almost seemed as if the pair were keeping the door open for themselves in the future, with niceties often confusing pundits as whether or not their is an agenda or not. The game would be a close affair, with Matt Breida scoring two touchdowns although both of them would be from some distance with the first being from 47 yards out and the second from 27 yards out with his scores being backed up by Myers with four field goals. Although the final score of 26-17 was a close game, the 49ers never looked like losing the encounter.

26 - 17

​

San Fransisco 49ers	7	10	3	6	26
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	0	7	3	7	16

Week Ten would be a chance for Mark Stoop to host NFC West Divisional Rivals the Seattle Seahawks. Unlike the previous encounter with the Rams, Seattle at the start of the season had been marked as the favourites to win the NFC West. The Seahawks had played in the 2020 NFC Championship (losing to the Giants), The Divisional Round in 2021 (losing to the Cowboys) and The Divisional Round in 2022 (losing to the Saints). This proven track record in having an ability to reach the playoffs meant that this was going to be a tough game for the San Fransisco.

The first quarter though would see rookie QB Perry Thurmond decided to scramble from the pocket and score his first rushing touchdown of his career from 21 yards out. This score seemed to inject a massive amount of belief in the young rookie and as the 49ers were on their next attack he seemed to make all the right decisions that would lead to Brieda storming down the field for another long run of 34 yards to give San Fransisco a 0-14 lead at the end of Q1.

Seattle would have a much more dominant second half and would bring a whole lot of pressure on the the 49ers defence. However, in one particular set the Seattle would be 1st and Goal (on the 1yard line) only to be force backwards to the 9yard line at 4th & Goal and being forced to take a field goal a conciliation. The fans would seem to suffer from deja vu as the exact same thing would happen on the Seahawks next drive, and Seattle would go from a position of looking as if they were certain to score two touchdowns to find themselves losing 6-14 at the end of the half having settled with two field goals.

The third quarter would see a point drought, although early in quarter four the Seahawks would kick a third field goal for the game before forcing an interception on the 49ers next drive and score their first touchdown of the game, but unfortunately wouldn't be able to capitalise as they would fail to kick the extra point. With eight minutes on the cock Seattle were winning the game but just one point 15-14. Brieda would score an important rushing touchdown from the 3rd and Goal to give the lead back to San Fran 15-21.

With three minutes left on the clock though the Seahawks would start making their way down the field and Russell Wilson looked like he might have thrown a game winning touchdown only for Joyner to pick the ball in the end zone with his body at a complete horizontal. This would mean that if the 49ers were able to run down the clock and gain a first down they would win the game. Brieda though didn't seem to get the memo as he would rally the troops and make yardage down the pitch before adding insult to injury by scoring his third running touchdown of the game giving the 49ers an important divisional win.

15 - 28

​

Seattle Seahawks	0	6	0	9	15
San Fransisco 49ers	14	0	0	14	28

The win would take the 49ers to 8-1 for the season and looking as if they would earn a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Matt Breida would also be awarded the NFC Offensive Player of the Week following the game with 22 carries for 216 rushing yards for 3 rushing touchdowns. It would mark the second time which Breida had been awarded the accolade for the season.

(Matt Breida - NFC Offensive Player of the Week x2 2023 Season)

San Fransisco would play host for the second week in a row welcome (Week Eleven) another NFC West Divisional rivals, this time the Arizona Cardinals. The game would be a cagey affair which was a surprise to many as the Cardinals had very much been one of the team in the league that had been underperforming. In the first quarter the the 49ers would find themselves on the 1yard line at 4th & Goal. Stoops and Stormberd would keep Myers off the field however, and show their faith in their offence as would instruct Breida to go for it. Breida would penetrate the line and score an important touchdown. In the second quarter the Cardinals would find themselves in a similar position, although choose to go for the field goal rather than risk it for the six points. At half-time whilst Stoops was speaking to Alex Fanagan would share his thoughts on the first half.

The quote that would really sum up the situation was "We went for it on 4th & Goal because I believe in my offence, the Cardinals went for the Field Goal is because they believe in my defence." The third quarter of the game would see both team defences continuing to defend the scrimmage, only for the the Cardinals to break through the 49ers line and find themselves down by three point 10-7 with only a few minutes left on the clock. With just under 90 seconds left on the clock, San Fransisco would find themselves within Field Goal range (34 yard line) but instead for the second time in the game Thurmond would hand the ball to Breida who would break through the line to get the 1st down. The 49ers would continue to push forward and would force their way through the Cardinals defence as Breida would score his second game touchdown and giving the 49ers a 10-14 win.

10 - 14

​

Arizona Cardinals	0	3	0	7	10
San Fransisco 49ers	7	0	0	7	14

(Louis Riddick - former Safety for the 49ers,, Falcons, Browns, Raiders)

Louis Riddick would speak in depth about Mark Stoops' decision to decide to play for the 1st down instead of going for the easy field goal in the match against the Cardinals. The viewpoint would that Stoops had taken an unnecessary risk and that it could have cost the franchise the game if the plan hadn't worked. However, Riddick would make the point that there was no reason why they should be discussing what could of happened but instead talking about what did happen. Riddick would make the point that Stoops had a habit of choosing to take field goals earlier than expected and relying on special team at different times in the game. He would make the point that the 49ers had finished last season 2-14 and now they found themselves at 9-1 with six games to go. One thing was for certain, Mark Stoops was some sort of genius, but like most geniuses he would never be fully understood.

Having won three games in a row since losing to the Steelers, the 49ers would remain at home for the fifth time in six games as they would host the Bengals in Week Twelve. The first quarter would start positively with Myers converting an early field goal. The game would cut to the other side of the pitch with the Bengals going for a field goal of their own only for it to be fumbled by way of a way and picked up by Nathan Gerry with the linebacker recovering the ball and proceeding to jog down the field to score a defensive touchdown.

(Nathan Gerry Linebacker 49ers)

The second quarter would prove to be a major concern for San Fransisco as Matt Breida would leave the field holding his shoulder, only for minutes later Perry Thurmond leaving the field having hurt his leg. This would give QB2 Andy Dalton a chance to show that he still had some flair, and after the Bengals score a touchdown of their own Dalton would start to make some good passing yards and would other the 49ers a very different aspect with the 49ers being more used to using running plays to make yards. Dalton though clearly had a game plan of his own and would throw to Coutee to get his first passing TD as a member of the 49ers.

(Andy Dalton QB2 49ers)

Unfortunately, San Fransisco would find themselves being keep out for the second half and the Bengals would score a touchdown and two field goals giving themselves a narrow lead of 20-17 as the two minute warning had recently gone and the 49ers pushing towards Myers kicking range. San Fransisco would find Myers the range, but the journeyman kicker would fail to hit the mark from very kickable range resulting in a second loss for the season.

20 - 17

​

Cincinnati Bengals ​	0​	7	10​	3	20
San Fransisco 49ers​	10	7	0​	0	17​

After the game Thurmond would be deemed as being fine and was just heavily bruised, but Matt Breida had hurt his should and would be out of action for six weeks. This injury as seen as a major blow for the franchise who had very much been relying heavily on the rushing yards that Breida had been producing on a weekly basis. Jarno Stormberd would make it clear that as saddening as this news was, Alexander Mattison had been recruited for this exact reason as a team had to be prepared for scenarios where key players were unavailable.

​

NFC WEST	W	L
San Fransisco 49ers	9	2
Seattle Seahawks	5	6
Los Angeles Rams	4	7
Arizona Cardinals	2	9

Mark Stoops would speak the press and make it clear that the 49ers would not be recognising an individual player for the 2nd 1/3 of the season as the entire 49ers Defence was worthy of this honour currently being the best in the entire National Football League. Stoops would go on to make the point his group of players were already aware that if the Seahawks lost two more game then the 49ers would win the NFC West even if they lost their remaining five games. The point would be made that finding yourselves in a strong position with 33% of the season remaining was a good feeling to have. Stoops would make the point that even at his previous team, he had always found the battle for top spot quite a stressful situation and had been surprised that the Seahawks and Rams hadn't offered more of challenge this season.

(Mike Tomlin - Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach)

Stoops would then find himself receiving question in regards his former team. Thoughts would be wanted on how Stoops felt about the fact that the Raiders had lost 25-27 to Denver Broncos for the first time since 2018 bring an end to of Stoops 10-o winning streak. Stoop would make the point that "whilst I was in charge of the Raiders my record was 9-0, eight regular seasons win and one in the playoffs. The tenth win had nothing to with me and neither did the result this week in Denver. My streak over the Broncos as the Raiders' head coach is still at 100%". It was quite clear from Stoops' reaction that he hadn't been very pleased with the line of questioning. None that they would stop.

Stoops would also be asked what he felt about the current situation of the Las Vegas Raiders who found themselves at 4-7 for the season. Stoops would actually seem to smile as he responded to this question "The most amount of games I lost in a season with the Raiders was in my first season in the league at 10-6. When I took the Raiders to win Super Bowl LVI in 2021 I only lost three games that season. And yet Mark Davis decided at the end of last season that with an 11-5 record and losing in the Wild Card round that I would not be the man who would be able to take the Raiders forward. Honestly, I would just advice that Tomlin speak to his agent because if history is going to repeat itself Mr. Davis unrealistic expectations would suggest he is already looking for Mike's replacement."

Stoops though would go on to make a point, that there were a number of talented player who played for the Raiders who should perhaps consider not resigning with the Raiders as he would be more than happy to offer them a place in San Fransisco. ​

 

[Grim]

Don't necessarily see a collapse coming but I notice a ton of your wins and both losses are coming from one score games that might mean one of two things:

- Your defense keeps you in the game long enough for your offense to do something, and if there's a good offense playing, your offense can't reasonably come back from it.

or, alternatively

- Your offense keeps you in the game, and when your offense goes up against a good defense, the whole thing falls apart.

 

[Chris]

Don't necessarily see a collapse coming but I notice a ton of your wins and both losses are coming from one score games that might mean one of two things:

- Your defense keeps you in the game long enough for your offense to do something, and if there's a good offense playing, your offense can't reasonably come back from it.

or, alternatively

- Your offense keeps you in the game, and when your offense goes up against a good defense, the whole thing falls apart.

A third possibility: Both offense and defense play up or down to the degree of their opponents bc they lack proper motivation

 

[Grim]

A third possibility: Both offense and defense play up or down to the degree of their opponents bc they lack proper motivation

Ah yes, the Steeler way.

 

[Spitfire]

@Grim Kimura I have the best Defence in the league at the moment - I think like 17 interceptions an under 700 rushing yards. Apart from my Running Backs - my offence is next to nothing. So yeah - the one scores games have been crazy as fuck. Could easily have been 2-9 to be honest. Got some mad luck at times - not including injuries. Red Rocket still getting game time!

 

[Spitfire]

Week Thirteen - Week Seventeen

Week Thirteen is one of those weeks that some coaches hope to get a bye week, but Stoop was most certainly not one of those individuals. In four seasons he had a 2-2 record in week thirteen (two losses to the Chiefs, a victory over the Chiefs & a victory of the Broncos) and so it was almost poetic that this season thirteenth round game would another Division game this time against the Arizona Cardinals. The game would see the 49ers have without a shadow of a doubt there best performance of the season.

The game would begin with Perry Thurmond throwing a passing to backup TE Eddie Tyler in a well worked move from the training field to give San Fransisco an early lead in the ball game. The Cardinals though would give as good as they could take and would put the pressure on the 49ers but having to settle with a FG from Matt Gay. Gay would have a second opportunity in quick succession to give Arizona a chance of being within 1 point in Q2 only for his field goal attempt to be charged down and recovered by Kwon Alexander who would run 67 yards down the field for a defensive touchdown at the end of the half. The Cardinals failure to convert meant that ending the half at 7-6 was now a much more uncomfortable 14-3. The second half of the game would see the 49ers open a can of proverbial whoop ass on the Cardinals as Thurmond would throw a passing touchdown to Pettis before scoring two rushing TDs of his own to give San Fransisco a monster 35-3 win on the road.

35 - 3

​

San Fransisco 49ers	7	7	14	7	35
Arizona Cardinals	0	3	0	0	3

The win would take the 49ers to 10-2 for the season and Kwon Alexander would also be recognised for his performance in the game which saw him make 7 tackles, 1 interception, 1 Fumble Return & 1 Touchdown as he would win the NFC Defensive Play of the Week award.

(Kwon Alexander Linebacker)

Week Fourteen would be a really interesting encounter as San Fransisco who were currently the #1 team in the NFC with a record of 10-2 were set to travel to Cleveland to play the Browns who were currently the #1 team in the AFC also with a 10-2 record. Mark Stoops would uncharacteristically offer words about another head coach prior to game.

(Freddie Kitchens - Cleveland Browns Head Coach)

Stoops would speak highly of Kitchens making the point that both himself and Kitchens had become head coaches in the NFL for the first time in 2019, and had really helped turn the Browns into one of the best team in the league. Stoops would make the point that the Brown had come a long way from being the team that the Raiders had beaten 19-61 in the Divisional Round of the 2020 playoffs. Stoops would make the point that last season the Brown had also made the Divisional Round but been eliminated by the Chiefs. However, Stoops felt that this season would be the year that the Browns would finally achieve everything they had been fighting for - to reach the Super Bowl.

The game itself would be a tense affair and it was clear that both teams were incredibly good form. The Browns would get the first point on the board with a FG from Dustin Hopkins, although the 49ers would retake the lead as Alexander Mattison would score a rushing touchdown from 10 yards to give San Fransisco a narrow lead at the end of the first quarter.

History has a strange way of repeating itself for Mark Stoop almost as if you were playing a game of Madden, as for the second week in a row the 49ers would charge down a field goal attempt and Kwon Alexander and his massive frame would recover the fumble and make his second defensive touchdown in two weeks. The first half would end with Hopkins and Myers scoring field goals for their respective teams with the 49ers holding a 17-6 lead at the half.

The third quarter would see Baker Mayfield throw an important touchdown to second year WR Dijoku, and Mayfield would demand that the Browns go for two points and be successful in doing so gaining eight point from the play leaving themselves just three points behind the 49ers. The fourth quarter would be just as intense, with the Browns scoring just one field goal that would result in the fourth quarter ending 17-17 and the game being sent to overtime. Overtime wouldn't be any different though as neither team was able to break the deadlock and the encounter between the two biggest hitters in the league would result in a draw.

17 - 17 (OT)

​

San Fransisco 49ers	7	10	0	0	0 (OT)	17
Cleveland Browns	3	3	8	3	0 (OT)	17

The game would be the first time in Mark Stoops' combined college/NFL career as a head coach that he had ever drawn a game. However, because of other results that took place the result of the game would mean that with just three games left in the regular season the 49ers could not be caught and had come 1st in the NFC West. After the game Joe Thomas the eleven year Offensive Tackle for the Browns would speak on the game.

(Joe Thomas - Browns 2007-2017)

Thomas would make it clear that he felt the game was an excellent encounter and that he personally believed that both these teams were destined to play each other at Super Bowl LVIII. Thomas would make the point that the Browns had never looked better as a franchise, and that not only were they on course to play in their Super Bowl but also to win the whole competition. Thomas would make the point that Mark Stoops had to be respected for his ability, but that this was only his first season in San Fransisco and that Kitchens had a much better knowledge of his team and thus had a slight edge. Thomas would though laugh and say that this could all just be smart talk, and both teams could find themselves eliminated in their first games in the playoffs.

Week Fifteen would see the 49ers travel to Seattle although Mark Stoops' team seemed to be fielding a number of 2nd String players as it was clear that he was resting some players ahead of the playoffs. The Seahawks however, were in need of a win as they were fighting for a wild card spot. The game itself would be quite close, although the Seahawks would have a truly dominant second quarter as Wilson would find Rashard Higgins three time for three passing touchdown that would prove to be the difference maker.

(Rashard Higgins - Seattle Seahawks WR)

Thurmond would throw a passing TD to Coutee and Juszczyk would score two rushing touchdowns, but San Fran's QB would seem to have been told to run some experimental plays and take some risks which would result in three interceptions. None the less the 49ers already knew they would have their first game in the playoffs during the divisional round.

21 - 31

​

San Fransisco 49ers	7	7	0	7	21
Seattle Seahawks	0	21	7	3	31

Week Sixteen the 49ers would be handed an early Christmas present ahead of their Xmas Eve game with the Ravens as it would be announced that Matt Breida would have been cleared to play. It was fair to say that Breida would have the best game of his life as he would break the record for most rushing touchdown with a total of six for the game. It would see Breida score his 40th Career Touchdown and his 20th of the season in a performance that would earn him the Offensive Player of the Week with the addition stats of 24 carries for 309 yards. However in what would prove to be a monster win for the 49ers who would win 55-24 the return of Breida would also be his departure as in his first game back since his should injury he would leave the field during the fourth quarter with a fractured arm with it being announced that he would be out for the rest of the season. Stoops was clearly frustrated on the realisation that he had lost Breida for the second time this season.

55 - 24

​

San Fransisco 49ers	7	14	14	20	55
Baltimore Ravens	10	0	0	14	24

Going into the last game of the season that 49ers were sitting at 11-3-1 and were set to end the regular season against the Rams in Week Seventeen. Jarno Stormberd would say that all ticket holders would be given full refund for their tickets if the 49ers lost the game. It would be announced this is because San Fransisco would field a number of 2nd & 3rd String player in order to reduce the chances of key players being injured. The game would see the Rams win the game 30-15 with the 49ers losing their four game of the year. However, two of the losses had been in game that major players had been rested and it was clear that Stoops' main focus was the playoffs.

(Kwon Alexander - Player of the third 1/3)​

 

[Spitfire]

Post-Season
​

NFC WEST	W	L	D	%	Points Diff
San Fransisco 49ers	11	4	1	0.719	+125
Seattle Seahawks	10	6	0	0.625	-20
Los Angeles Rams	6	10	0	0.375	-57
Arizona Cardinals	2	14	0	0.125	-169

(Boomer Esiason - former Bengals, Jets & Cardinal QB)

Boomer Esiason would come off very excited as he would review the 49ers regular season performance. Matt Breida would be recognised for being the regular season top scoring with rushing touchdowns with a total of 21 for the season - that would equal Joe Morris 1985 record of 21 touchdowns in a season. Boomer would make the point that Breida had missed 25% of the season because of injury and could have potentially have been knocking on the door of Tomlinson's 2006 record.

Boomer would say what was even more impressive was that Mark Stoop had been reached the playoffs five seasons in a row. He would make the point that some teams hadn't made that many consecutive appearances in the playoffs in the entire franchise history. Boomer being a bit tongue in cheek would make the statement: Is Mark Stoop a more successful brand in the playoffs than some NFL franchises?

Results From Wild Card Week:

Miami Dolphins 28 - 31 Buffalo Bills

Philadelphia Eagles 24 - 38 Dallas Cowboys

Jacksonville Jaguars 28 - 35 Kansas City Chiefs

Seattle Seahawks 35 - 24 New Orleans Saints

The biggest shock from the Wild Card Round would the Saints being eliminated by the Seahawks. Last years Super Bowl Champions would not have a chance to defend their crown and their reign as world champions had come to an end.

For the third year in a row Mark Stoop's first playoff game would be against a divisional rival, as the Seahawks would travel to Levi Stadium with the winner advancing to the NFC Championship. Seattle were coming off a really strong performance and would really bring the heat to the 49ers as Russell Wilson would throw two passing touchdown in the first quarter. San Fransisco would get some points back on the board in Q2 as Myers would convert an FG before Juszczyk score a receiving touchdown to put the 49ers narrowly behind Seattle at 14-10 going into the break. George Kittle would score a vital receiving touchdown as the 49ers would move into the lead by just three points at 14-17 with just one quarter left to go.

Russell Wilson would throw his third touchdown of the game towards the starts of the fourth quarter as Seattle would go ahead in the game once more with a narrow lead of 21-17. The lead would become even smaller as Myers would convert an FG with Seattle leading 21-20 with just five points left in the game. Thurmond would have had a really amazing game and would throw his third touchdown of the game finding Juszczyk for the second time in the game that would lead to the 49ers winning the game 21-27 and advancing to the NFC Championship game.

21 - 27

​

Seattle Seahawks	14	0	0	7	21
San Fransisco 49ers	0	10	7	10	27

Results From The Divisional Round:

Kansas City Chiefs 35 - 44 Cleveland Browns

Buffalo Bills 21 - 35 Indianapolis Colts

Dallas Cowboys 10 - 38 Chicago Bears

Following the game it would be confirmed that the Colts would be travelling to play the Browns, whilst the 49ers would play host to Chicago. For Stoop it would see him Stoops face Chicago for the first time since his maiden Super Bowl victory two years ago. There was a real sense of theatre about the matchup, even if Stoops was working with a completely different group of players.

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP

Earlier in the day in the AFC Championship the Colts would be beaten by the Browns 32-39. This result would mean that the Cleveland Browns had reached their first Super Bowl in their 79 year history, meaning that now just the Lions, Jaguars and Texans were the only three teams to have have never appeared at the event.

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP

The NFC Championship would be a route as the 49er would pull out another season defining performance in a game where their offence would shine. Rookie QB Perry Thurmond would throw a career best four passing touchdowns in one game as he would find Kittle twice as well as Coutee and Hyder once each. 'The Red Rocket' Andy Dalton would also shine in the game as the QB2 would score a trick play rushing touchdown in a contest that San Fransisco had never looked like losing with a win of 17-40.

17 - 40

​

​

Chicago Bears​	0​	14​	3​	0​	17​
San Fransisco 49ers​	3​	14​	2​	21​	40​

The win would also mean that Mark Stoops had joined an elite class of Head Coaches in the National Football League, as he was now one of five men whom in their careers had won the AFC and NFC Championship.

(John Fox - NFC: Panthers + AFC: Broncos)

(Dick Vermeil - NFC: Eagles + AFC: Rams)

(Dan Reeves - NFC: Falcons + AFC: Broncos)

(Billy Parcels - NFC: Giants + AFC: Patriots)​