
All season long the 49ers relied on a simple formula: takeaways + excellent defense + cautious offense = wins. The equation proved sound throughout 2011 and got them within a step of the Super Bowl.
But in the NFC Championship …
Extra Point:Takeaways are really hard to replicate, and I'm not sure the formula failed in the NFC Championship. There were 3 "sure things" that didn't end up as turnovers, so it's not like the Niners stopped forcing them, more like didn't convert them. That being said, the offense will have to move the ball way better - and should be able to be strong enough so that it can score without the best field position.
