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Mike Nolan began his third season as head coach of the 49ers against a divisional opponent that was 4-0 against him during his tenure. The opening game of the season always has its share of tightness to it, and this just adds to it.

Expectations are high, now that Mike Nolan and Personnel Director Scot McLoughan have upgraded the defense with free agent Nate Clements topping the list with an $80 Million multi-year contract, and first round draft pick Patrick Willis as a starter at middle linebacker. After the final two games of the preseason, doubt was high about this defense’s ability to perform during the regular season, and those doubters were quickly turned into bragadocious supporters.

Fans also expect the offense to only get better, with upgrades at Right Tackle and Wide Receiver. The addition of Darrell Jackson from Seattle for a fourth-round draft pick appears to be a steal, and Ashley Lelie looks to be on the rebound from a pinball machine.

The biggest question mark for 49ers fans is always the Quarterback. We’ve been spoiled with five super bowls, and two Quarterbacks who are both widely regarded in the top ten in the history of the position. For fans who enjoyed Jeff Garcia, but also had to endure Elvis Grbac, Tim Rattay, Ken Dorsey and other ignominious busts, Alex Smith appeared to be the next stop in 49er Quarterback glory. Smith was thrown to the wolves in his rookie season, throwing for 1 touchdown and 11 interceptions, with a QB rating of 40.3. He followed that up in 2006 with 16 touchdowns and 16 interceptions, with a rating of 74.8, the largest improvement for a quarterback in league history.

With inspiring road victories in 2006 against Detroit, Seattle and Denver, who was fighting for their playoff lives, Smith showed he had the mettle and the rapport to lead this team when it mattered most. This game against Arizona appeared to be the continuation of the mojo Smith displayed in those two road victories. For the majority of the game, the offense stalled, and smith was 9 of 21 for 42% and 66 yards. When it mattered the most, and the 49ers had to win it with less than three minutes to go, Smith went 6 for 10 for 60% and 65 yards, as well as the heroic 25-yard scramble on 4th and 1 to get the team to the Arizona 20-yard line.

This was a game that the team would have lost for most of the year previous, and were the most frustrating games for this team in 2006. Instead of wilting under the pressure and the weight of their own mistakes, this team hung tough under the leadership of their quarterback. His poise in the huddle and at the line are evident by looking at his ice-cold eyes.

49er fans have come to expect their quarterbacks to lead them to 4th-quarter comebacks, and Smith did. Despite this, his overall performance for the game was less than noteworthy, resulting in the lowest yardage total for a quarterback in week 1. Offensive Coordinator Jim Hostler was lambasted for being too conservative, and not letting Alex throw the ball downfield. In fairness to Smith and Hostler, however, at least six balls were dropped by Niner receivers during the game, including one in the end zone by Darrell Jackson, and one that was fumbled at the 1 by Battle. Either one of these would have been touchdowns, and two of the other three would have resulted in first downs during the game.

Alex Smith’s 4th quarter comeback, as well as the unusually sterling defensive play, is the story of this game, and the Niners opened up with an important divisional victory.