Epic

Well, if I was only going to go to one game this year, I'm glad I picked this one. Today's victory over the Saints easily ranks among the greatest playoff games I've seen (somewhere between "The Catch" and the comeback victory over the Giants nine years ago).

I've been among Alex Smith's critics over the past several years, but he was lights-out today, leading the 49ers to dramatic come-from-behind scores twice in the final two and a half minutes. After 7 seasons, Smith finally has a signature moment that will be woven into the tapestry of 49er lore. And Vernon Davis, who seemed to drop at least one pass each game this year, came up with his biggest performance during the team's biggest game (so far).

The defense contained the Saints for 3 1/2 quarters, keeping the offense in front of them and never missing any tackles while forcing huge turnovers. They hit New Orleans hard and often. But when the offense stalled late in the third quarter and into the fourth, the law of averages finally caught up with them. You can only stop Drew Brees so many times. The fact that the officials decided to give the Saints every chance to win the game by not calling a single penalty - not even a holding call during 60+ pass attempts - against them during the entire game didn't help matters, either.

The crowd was like nothing I've seen in nearly 30 years. They stood up the entire game, cheered loudly when the Saints' offense was on the field, and refrained from doing The Wave. A solid performance during a game that will surely be included next time the NFL Network revisits the "Top 10 Greatest Playoff Games of All Time."

But make no mistake - Candlestick is still a shithole. Sitting in the Lower East stands for only the second time, I was amazed that the lack of a functional PA system on that side of the stadium leaves the entire crowd guessing every time an announcement is made on the loudspeakers or the officials rattle off a penalty or explanation of a play. Getting to our seats prior to the team introductions was impossible as the concourses became a human traffic jam.

Speaking of traffic jams, it took about an hour for our chartered bus to get into the parking lot after we approached the stadium 2.5 hours before kickoff. And getting out of the stadium was mayhem as the bozos directing traffic turned the bus lot exit into a one-lane bottleneck with no chance of escape. Basically, the typical half-assery we all come to expect at Candlestick. They can't tear that piece of garbage down quickly enough.

Ok, enough with the negativity. After 9 years of disappointment, the 49ers delivered an unforgettable victory while establishing a new identity.

Welcome back, Niners. We missed you.