Take this hypothetical: The 49ers are playing at Lambeau Field
in Green Bay against the beloved, hometown Packers. Quarterback
Jeff Garcia finds wide receiver Terrell Owens in the end zone for a
touchdown. Cheers rain down from the crowd.
Take this hypothetical: The 49ers are playing at Lambeau Field in Green Bay against the beloved, hometown Packers. Quarterback Jeff Garcia finds wide receiver Terrell Owens in the end zone for a touchdown. Cheers rain down from the crowd.
Not even possible, right?
So why was it that Sunday at Candlestick Park in San Francisco whenever the visiting Packers scored the crowd cheered like the game was being played in the Frozen Tundra?
Now, ask yourself would this happen at Oakland Coliseum – home of the Silver & Black?
No chance.
Even though the Raiders may not be able to sell out their games, opposing fans that dare attend a game at Oakland Coliseum keep quiet for the most part.
Why is it so different across the Bay, where the Niners sell out each week?
It’s a mystery to me.
Sure, the Packers have a widespread fanbase – but walking into Sunday’s game there had to be at least one-third Green Bay fans to two-thirds San Francisco fans. And that’s being nice because it seemed more like fifty-fifty.
Case in point: When Packers’ quarterback Brett Favre hit receiver Donald Driver for a five-yard TD pass to give Green Bay a 17-6 lead in the fourth quarter, there were loud cheers coming from the stands. I’m surprised Driver didn’t do a Lambeau leap into the stands.
But after the game, driving home and listening to the radio, the Niners’ fans were filling the phone lines – calling for either Coach Steve Mariucci’s or Jeff Garcia’s head. Now, I can’t say the Niners’ final drive was a thing of beauty since they started with 4:29 on the clock. But they did march 63 yards down to the Green Bay 11-yard line before failing to convert on a fourth-and-seven.
The Niners were playing for a little bit of home field advantage in the playoffs – but why wasn’t there any on Sunday? I guess for some a little extra change in their pockets and dry clothes were of more importance.
Sure, it was rainy and it was cold. Is that an excuse not to go out and support the Niners? If anything, it was classic Bay Area football conditions – which should have been to the home team’s advantage. To the true Niners fans who were out in the elements, I salute you – and even they can attest to all those Packers fans filling the stands. Just ask them.
Try that in Oakland. Try that at Lambeau Field. Not gonna happen.
Regardless of Sunday’s outcome, the NFC West Champion Niners will still be hosting a first-round playoff game against a wild-card opponent. And I don’t doubt that the fans will be there to support the Niners. But they should have been there on Sunday.
