Many Happy 49er Returns

By T.J. SIMERS

Dec. 12, 1997 12 AM PT

It’s the game of the season unless the Panthers upset the Packers on Sunday, which would let the 49ers rest some of their key performers because a Green Bay loss allows San Francisco to clinch the home-field advantage through the playoffs.

Joe Montana will become the eighth player in team history to have his jersey retired, and Jerry Rice is expected to return to the field for the first time since tearing knee ligaments in the season opener at Tampa Bay. Montana threw 244 touchdown passes in his career--55 to Rice.

The 49ers, while ranked No. 1 on defense, have been hit hard the last two weeks by Minnesota and Kansas City’s ability to run the ball, and now there is concern about trying to stop Denver running back Terrell Davis, who needs 278 yards in the last two games to become the third player in NFL history to hit the 2,000-yard mark.

The line: San Francisco by 4.

5 THINGS TO LOOK FOR

1. Jerry Rice to be covered by Denver cornerback Ray Crockett Monday night.

As if Rice needs any more incentive, Crockett mouthed off this week, and that’s probably not too smart when getting ready to face the greatest receiver to play the game and the NFL’s all-time leader with 165 touchdowns.

“They’re retiring Joe Montana’s jersey, Jerry Rice might be suiting up, and it’ll be like that extra boost they need to say, ‘Hey, the team is back,’ ” Crockett said. “But that team won without Jerry Rice. So I don’t think he was the team like they thought.”

2. Rice to catch the ball if he plays against Crockett and 10 other defensive backs.

Rice might play only 15 to 20 plays, but he has caught a pass in 176 consecutive games, and like Coach Steve Mariucci said, “I wouldn’t be surprised if Steve Young just locks his eyes on Jerry when he comes into the game and gets him the ball.”

3. Arizona to become known as the new worst team in football.

The Buccaneers and Cardinals have not been to the playoffs since the strike-shortened 1982 season, but with one more win, Tampa Bay clinches a playoff berth.

4. A loud cheer to go up around the league if Indianapolis wins and Arizona loses.

Because the Cardinals already have Jake Plummer at quarterback, they probably would trade the No. 1 pick and let other needy teams make a run at Peyton Manning or Ryan Leaf.

If the Colts get the No. 1 pick, they undoubtedly will select a quarterback.

5. To dream the impossible dream, and just maybe this is the week Desmond Howard breaks free for a big play. The Raiders are playing the Seahawks, and in the last six games, the Seattle opposition has scored 71 points via their special teams.

ON TV

SATURDAY

* Washington (7-6-1) at N.Y. Giants (8-5-1), 9:30 a.m., Channel 11: The Giants clinch the NFC East with a win.

The line: Giants by 3.

* Pittsburgh (10-4) at New England (9-5), 1 p.m., Channel 4: Both teams coming off big wins and needing to stay hot to have a chance to win division titles.

The line: New England by 2 1/2.

SUNDAY

* Dallas (6-8) at Cincinnati (5-9), 10 a.m., Channel 11: The Cowboys are finished and are hurting, while the Bengals have suddenly come alive under Boomer Esiason.

The line: Cincinnati by 4 1/2.

* Kansas City (11-3) at San Diego (4-10), 1 p.m., Channel 4: Kansas City has won 19 of its last 24 against AFC West opponents.

The line: Kansas City by 9 1/2.

* Green Bay (11-3) at Carolina (7-7), 1 p.m., Channel 11: This is a repeat of last year’s NFC championship game, but Carolina is no longer playing postseason caliber football.

The line: Green Bay by 6 1/2.

* Chicago (3-11) at St. Louis (4-10), 5 p.m., ESPN: Take a two-hour nap, then watch “60 Minutes.”

The line: St. Louis by 4.

SUNDAY’S OTHER GAMES

* Jacksonville at Buffalo, 10 a.m.

The line: Jacksonville by 5.

* Detroit at Minnesota, 10 a.m.

The line: Minnesota by 2 1/2.

* Miami at Indianapolis, 10 a.m.

The line: Miami by 4.

* Philadelphia at Atlanta, 10 a.m.

The line: Atlanta by 3.