NFL Aching 49ers focus on West

Two straight losses have dropped San Francisco to fourth place in the league's tougher conference.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
Just 12 days ago, the Green Bay Packers led the NFC Conference with an 8-1 record.
Right behind the Pack in the race for homefield advantage throughout the NFC playoffs were the New Orleans Saints, the San Francisco 49ers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (all 7-2). The Philadelphia Eagles were a game back at 6-3.
Today, as the NFL enters its final five weeks of the regular season, the NFC road to the Super Bowl goes through Tampa as the Bucs (9-2) and Eagles (8-3) have won their past two games while the Packers, 49ers and Saints have dropped two straight.
For the 49ers, owned by John and Denise DeBartolo York of Canfield, it's the team's first two-game skid since midway through the 2000 season when it missed the playoffs with a 6-10 mark.
Monday's 38-17 thrashing by the Eagles at Candlestick Point has the Niners forgetting about the overall NFC race and returning their attentions to the NFC West Division.
Seahawks are next
San Francisco (7-4) has a two-game lead over the St. Louis Rams (5-6) and a three-game edge over the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals (both 4-7).
Seattle is this week's opponent at Candlestick Point.
"With the Seahawks coming for a division game, this is very important for both of us," 49ers coach Steve Mariucci said in a telephone interview from the team's headquarters in Santa Clara, Calif. "Because we've already played, there's familiarity on both sides."
Mariucci was referring to his team's 28-21 win in Seattle on Oct. 14, their previous Monday night game.
The following week, the Niners had a very short week, traveling to New Orleans on the Friday before their 35-27 loss to the Saints.
This week, Mariucci is thankful that the NFL schedule-maker has given them a home game and no need to travel early.
"Normally, the league tries to have the Monday night teams play at home the next week," Mariucci said. "So what happened in October where we played at Seattle on a Monday and then in New Orleans the following Sunday was unusual.
"We've got to hit the ground running this week because there's a short turnaround time for recovery," Mariucci said.
"And the Seahawks are riding high after their big win against Kansas City," Mariucci said. "We've certainly got to play a lot better than we did [Monday]."
Walloped
Despite losing quarterback Donovan McNabb to a broken ankle on Nov. 17, the Eagles' offense, led by perennial backup quarterback Koy Detmer, picked apart the 49ers secondary in opening up a 35-10 lead.
Eagles punt returner Brian Mitchell inflicted further damage with a 76-yard touchdown that gave Philadelphia an early 14-0 lead that stunned the hometown crowd.
Mitchell's return prompted the 49ers to release punter Jason Baker on Tuesday, replacing him with Billy LaFluer, formerly of the San Diego Chargers' practice squad. Baker's net punting average of 32 yards is the lowest in the NFL.
Contributing to the 49ers' woes were more injuries to their already patched-up defense.
Safety Ronnie Heard, who is starting for the injured Zack Bronson, sprained an ankle.
And rookie cornerback Mike Rumph, the team's first-round draft pick last April and the nickel back in passing situations, was benched by Mariucci in the second half after he injured a calf muscle, then allowed the Eagles' third touchdown before halftime on a Detmer pass to wide receiver Antonio Freeman.
Quarterback Jeff Garcia completed 29-of-51 passes for 284 yards. Wide receiver Terrell Owens, considered by many to be the NFL's best at his position, caught 13 passes for 166 yards and scored both 49ers touchdowns.
Second-year running back Kevan Barlow, who alternates with tailback Garrison Hearst, has a sprained right knee and is out for the Seahawks game.
"After seeing the MRI, he's going to have it scoped," said Mariucci, who expects Barlow to miss two-to-four weeks.
"Paul Smith is the backup and he's capable, but I think we'll depend on Garrison for most of the carries until Barlow heals."
King of challenges
A bright spot in Monday's game was Mariucci's successful challenges of two officials rulings.
The first one was a Garcia fumble inside the Philadelphia 15 that recalled last January's infamous tuck ruling that cost the Oakland Raiders a playoff loss to the Patriots in a New England snowstorm.
On the play, Garcia moved his arm forward then pulled it into his chest when he was struck by Eagles linebacker Hugh Douglas.
Mariucci challenged the fumble ruling, citing the tuck rule that favored Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in the Jan. 19 playoff game.
The challenge was prompted by coaches who have access to television replays in the press box area.
"Our coaches didn't see the replay right away because ABC went to commercials," Mariucci said. "The replay showed him pulling the ball back, which constitutes the tuck rule."
Although the Niners won the challenge, Mariucci says the rule needs to be changed.
"It should be altered because the quarterback is not trying to pass anymore," Mariucci said. "I think you'll see the rule changed, especially after it made another appearance on national TV."
williams@vindy.com