49ers eager to find success on road

Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2003 | 10:46 a.m.

SUN WIRE REPORTS

The San Francisco 49ers have their marching orders: To make their third consecutive trip to the playoffs, they must prove they can win somewhere -- anywhere -- other than Candlestick Park.

With the good vibes from their 30-14 victory against Pittsburgh still reverberating, the 49ers got Tuesday off before beginning a short week of preparation for Sunday's game at Green Bay.

It's the first of four road trips to cold-weather cities in the next five weeks, when they'll face four opponents currently at .500 or better.

The 49ers (5-5) have just two games remaining at Candlestick, where they've won five of six games -- including four in a row in increasingly dominant fashion.

Trouble is, San Francisco is 0-4 away from home and has failed to execute well in the closing minutes of three losses.

What's behind the disparity? Dennis Erickson hopes to find out soon.

"If we are going to make a run, that starts with four games on the road," he said Tuesday. "That is hard, and a long ways away. We know that. We put ourselves in that position."

Erickson will be making his first visit to Lambeau Field, the cradle of the pro game and one of the toughest stadiums for visitors. A trip to Baltimore follows -- and after a home game against Arizona, San Francisco must visit Cincinnati and Philadelphia.

Kevin Williams, the Vikings' first-round choice this year and their other starting defensive end, was arrested by Edina police Thursday for the same reason.