49ers finally get a win (Cutler giving us the game doesn't count)

Apparently, smashmouth football doesn't work on offense, at least not until the 49ers get a better offensive line.  Alex Smith threw 41 passes (27 completed) for 2 touchdowns while Gore only had 16 carries for 33 yards in a 20-3 win over Jacksonville (highlights here).  Both touchdown-scoring drives involved minimal contributions from the running game as Smith led the Niners down the field twice in the second quarter to take a 17-0 lead.  It's a surprising (and nice) change of pace, as the run-first ultra-conservative Jimmy Raye finally decided to open up the playbook and let Alex Smith lead them to victory.  Maurice Jones-Drew was mostly a non-factor in the game, with only 15 carries for 75 yards and the 49ers pass-rush made a surprise appearance, sacking Garrard 6 times in the 2nd half and forcing two fumbles while stalling the Jaguars offense twice in the red zone and twice on fourth down.  Is this the turn around game we've all be waiting for?  Tony's dream of a perfect season died months ago, but maybe, just maybe, the 49ers can find a way to sneak into the playoffs.

On a side note, the Titans pulled off an incredible win at home over Arizona with a last second touchdown pass by Vince Young to take a 20-17 lead as time expired, culminating a lengthy drive in which the Titans miraculously converted multiple fourth downs.  With that loss, Arizona falls to 7-4, allowing the Niners (5-6) to pick up a game on them in the standings.  This puts the Niners in a great position, as the Cardinals will have to face Favre and the 9-1 Minnesota Vikings next week while the Niners will play the Seahawks in Seattle.   Should San Francisco defeat Seattle (which they already have this season) and should Arizona lose to the Vikings, this would set up a battle in two weeks for the NFC West lead in San Francisco, with the Niners already having already won once over them in Week 1.

From there, both teams will face one good team (Green Bay for Arizona, Philly for San Francisco) in addition to the Lions and the Rams.  If things go as planned, Arizona and San Francisco would finish with identical records, with the Niners holding the head-to-head tiebreaker and winning the division.  So cross your fingers guys, and don't give up hope (*cough*Dan*cough*), all is not lost.

(Images from the Associated Press)