Unless your name is Jimmy Johnson, hiring a coach out of college just doesn't work at the pro level. Jim Harbaugh is starting to change minds around the league, and proving that a college coach can excel in the NFL. Harbaugh has built a machine in a very short amount of time, and the team is oiled up and roaring down the road to the division title and a playoff berth.

Frank Gore is the main guy on this Niner team. It's his straw that stirs their drink if you will. He did what Frank usually does, carry the ball 19 times for 107 yards and chip in another 7 on his only catch of the day. The New Alex Smith was present and accounted for as he managed the game well and was efficient to the tune of 17-24 for 200 yards and 1 touchdown and no INT's. Smith has been great this year atmaking all of his plays positive, as he's only been picked off twice so far this year opposed to 10 TD's.

The defense however is the best part of this team. Patrick Willis is now the young leader of this fearful bunch. Always a strong tackler from his first game, Willis this year has become the vocal leader that the front office and coaching staff have always hoped he'd become. I don't care about rankings or schemes or sack totals or whatever, this is the best defense in the NFL right now. They held the Redskins today to just over 300 total yards and only three points until they scored a garbage time TD with a minute to go.

The John Beck experiment is not going very well at the moment. His numbers weren't terrible today, but he never really got his team in a position to threaten for a score at all. He was 30-47 for 254 yards with one touchdown and one pick. Mike Shanahan did his usual fantasy sabotageas he started "3rd down" back Roy Helu today. Helu didn't have much to say in the rushing department as he had 41 yards on 10 carries with a fumble. Where he did excel was in the pass game as he collected 14 catches and produced 105 yards.Former starter Ryan Torain was a non-factor and you may have missed him if you sneezed, he had 1 carry for 2 yards.

The real story here is what the 49ers are doing and can accomplish here in the next few weeks. At 7-1 they have basically locked up the NFC West title and have a legitimate shot at earning a week off during wild card weekend along with the Packers. They face a euphoric NY Giant team that took down Tom Brady and the Patriots today. Following that is a possible trap game against the Arizona Cardinals at home,and thenthey have the Thanksgiving Day Family Feud game against brother, John Harbaugh and his Baltimore Ravens. Buckle up Niner fans it's going to be an exciting ride this year, all the way to theend.