San Francisco 49ers @ Arizona Cardinals: A Prospector's Guide
by David Fucillo on Nov 24, 2010 7:00 AM PST
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The 49ers head down to Glendale, Arizona to face off against the Cardinals on Monday Night Football. At the beginning of the season I would argue that even with the Cardinals question marks, this looked like it might be a fairly intriguing NFC West battle on prime time. I know some of you know everything and knew the Cardinals and/or the 49ers were gonna struggle this year. But for the majority of folks, this was at least a little enticing.
Although the records certainly aren't pretty, this could still end up being a great football game. I say that because even when these two teams are struggling, they can put together some entertaining football. For example, in 2007 the 49ers finished the season 5-11 and the Cardinals were 8-8, but both games were wild affairs. Maybe neither team will be 8-8, but both are unlikely to make the playoffs. In 2007, the first game saw the 49ers win 20-17 on a game-winning touchdown drive by Alex Smith at the end of the fourth quarter. The second game went to overtime where the 49ers sacked Kurt Warner and recovered a fumble to win 37-31.
Both teams may be playing like crap but I actually think we'll see a fun game. It's entirely possible I'm kidding myself on this, but I'm willing to roll the dice based on some of the past matchups. Over the past twelve contests between the two teams, only three have been decided by more than a touchdown. And in games at Arizona, no game has been won by more than six points since 1999. It's not the largest sample size in the world, but it's still something to consider.
It shouldn't be surprising then that the spread is no more than a point or a point and a half at many gambling sites. The 49ers are favored by a point or so at most of these sites. The Cardinals certainly have their share of talent, but things haven't been pretty down in the desert. One of the funnier lines came during Bill Simmons marathon chat yesterday:
Mike T. (Ann Arbor, MI)
In honor of all the kick returns we've seen the last few weeks, my buddy and I decided we absolutely needed to construct a film entirely of kickers/punters attempting a tackle. Any given return there's a 90% chance the guy makes a fool of himself. Tell me you wouldn't watch 45 minutes worth of clips of tiny white guys getting juked and then falling into the fetal position?
Bill Simmons (3:26 PM)
I would love this. I'd also like to see a 10-minute montage of Larry Fitzgerald starting to jump for a Derek Anderson/Max Hall pass and then just stopping mid-jump as the life sinks from his body because he realizes it's 10 feet over his head.
So it's pretty rough all around. However, all of this is to say that I'll stick with my belief that this is going to be a fun game. As I mentioned yesterday, I'll be at Public House at AT&T Park for the game and while it should be fun no matter what, an entertaining game (be it a close see-saw game or a 49ers blowout) would certainly make the evening all the more fun.
Once again I've attached a prediction poll. Head after the jump for random tidbits about this matchup.
The 49ers will leave the friendly confines of Candlestick Park and hit the road to face the Arizona Cardinals for a Monday Night Football showdown at University of Phoenix Stadium. San Francisco owns the overall series record 21-16 and are 9-8 on the road vs. the Cardinals. The Niners have won two consecutive meetings and four of the past six, dating back to 2007.
San Francisco lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 21-0, this past Sunday at Candlestick Park. QB Troy Smith was the leading passer in the game with 146 yards and lost for just the first time as the starting quarterback for the Niners.
The upcoming game marks the third time this season that the 49ers will have played in prime time. San Francisco is 58-31 overall when playing in prime time, including 23-16 on the road. When playing on Monday Night Football, the Niners are 39-24.
49ers-Cardinals Connections
Coaches
- 49ers defensive coordinator Greg Manusky was a teammate of Cardinals assistant head coach/OL coach Russ Grimm with the Washington Redskins from 1988-91. Manusky played linebacker, while Grimm played offensive guard.
- 49ers tight ends coach Pete Hoener has had coaching stints with the Cardinals while they were in St. Louis (1978-84) and Arizona (2001-03).
- 49ers wide receivers coach Jerry Sullivan spent 3 seasons as the Cardinals offensive coordinator from 2001-03.
- 49ers offensive line coach Mike Solari held the same position while with the Phoenix Cardinals during the 1989 season.
- Cardinals defensive coordinator Bill Davis was the 49ers defensive coordinator from 2005-06.
CARDINALS-NOR CAL CONNECTIONS: Cardinals FB Reagan Mauia is a native of Lodi, CA ... Cardinals ILB Reggie Walker is a native of Sacramento, CA
49ERS ARIZONA CONNECTIONS: 49ers special asst. to the head coach/secondary Johnnie Lynn began his coaching career at the University of Arizona from 1987-93 ... Assistant special teams Dave Fipp also begain his coaching career at the University of Arizona during the 2000 season ... Pass rush specialist Al Harris played collegiately at Arizona State University from 1975-78. Offensive Coordinator Mike Johnson also played his college ball at ASU from 1985-86 ... 49ers asst. offensive line coach Ray Brown was a player for the St.Louis/Phoenix Cardinals from 1986-88 ... 49ers LS Brian Jennings is a native of Mesa, AZ. He also played at Arizona State University ... 49ers WR Kyle Williams attended High School in Scottsdale, AZ and went to ASU.
FORMER CARDINALS: 49ers LB Travis LaBoy played in 13 games (12 starts) for Arizona during the 2008 season ... 49ers K Joe Nedney played in 23 games for the Cardinals from 1997-99 ... G Tony Wragge was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Cardinals in 2002. Wragge spent 2 seasons (2002-03) with Arizona.
BULLDOG BOYS - 49ers QB David Carr and Cardinals TE Stephen Spach were teammates at Fresno State University from 2000-01.
VANDALIZED - 49ers G Mike Iupati and Cardinals WR Max Komar were teammates at the University of Idaho from 2006-08.
BAYOU BENGALS - 49ers DT Ricky Jean Francois and Cardinals WR Early Doucet were teammates at LSU from 2006-07.
MICHIGAN MEN - 49ers C David Baas, Cardinals DE/DT Alan Branch, DT Gabe Watson and WR Steve Breaston were all teammates at Michigan during the 2004 season.
GOOD "OLE" BOYS - 49ers LB Patrick Willis and Cardinals CB Trumaine McBride were teammates together at the University of Mississippi from 2004-06.
"THE" BUCKEYE BROTHERS - 49ers QB Troy Smith, WR Ted Ginn and Cardinals RB Beanie Wells were all teammates at The Ohio State University during the 2006 season.
PANTHER PRIDE - 49ers CB Shawntae Spencer and P Andy Lee both were teammates of Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald and ILB Gerald Hayes during the 2002 season. 49ers TE Nate Byham and Cardinals RB Larod Stephens-Howling were teammates at Pitt from 2006-08.
LONGHORN LOVE - 49ers CB Tarell Brown and Cardinals C Lyle Sendlein were teammates at the University of Texas from 2004-05.
TROJAN TIES - 49ers G Chilo Rachal and Cardinals G Deuce Lutui were teammates at USC from 2004-05.
Series Highlights
Matchups: 37
Series Record: 49ers Lead Series 21-16
49ers Away Record vs. Cardinals: 49ers lead series 9-8
First Meeting: 11/18/51, Cardinals win 27-21, at San Francisco
Last Meeting: 12/14/09, 49ers win 24-9, at San Francisco
Current Streak: Won 2
Longest 49ers Win Streak: 5 - 2 times (9/14/80-10/18/87, 10/24/93-12/21/02)
Longest Cardinals Win Streak: 4 - 2 times (10/6/74-12/2/79, 10/2/05-12/24/06)
Most 49ers Points: 50 (12/7/03), 50-14 at San Francisco
Most Cardinals Points: 34 (2 times) Last - 9/10/06
49ers Shutouts: None
Cardinals Shutouts: None
ARIZONA 9 SAN FRANCISCO 24
At San Francisco, CA, December 14, 2009
The home team brought a physicality to the game that the Cardinals could not match, as RB Frank Gore pounded out 167 yards and 1TD on the ground and the defense forced 7 turnovers on the night (5 FRs and 2 INTs). The 49ers tied a franchise record as they forced 5 turnovers in the 1st half (3 FRs and 2 INTs). Cardinals QB Kurt Warner was held without a TD pass for the first time this season. He was also held to his lowest quarterback rating (44.9) and lowest passing yardage (178) since week 16 of 2008. Defensively, LB Ahmad Brooks (3.0 sacks & 2FFs) and S Dashon Goldson (1INT & 2FFs) pestered Warner all evening.
After turning the ball over on their opening drive when an Alex Smith pass was batted in the air and intercepted by Cardinals DT Darnell Dockett, the 49ers defense played inspired football. On the Cardinals 2nd possession, Goldson hit RB Tim Hightower at his own 8 yard-line, jarring the ball loose into the hands of CB Dre' Bly. Two plays later Smith hit TE Vernon Davis in the back of the endzone for the game's first points.
The SF defense stood tall again on the Cardinals ensuing possession, as LB Patrick Willis hit RB LaRod Stephens-Howling with a thunderous blow that shook the ball loose and into the hands of S Mark Roman, who returned the ball 25 yards to the AZ 28. 49ers K Joe Nedney later drilled a 37-yard FG to give his team a 10-0 lead. The Cardinals got the ball back, but not for very long as Goldson intercepted Warner at the SF 9, thwarting the Cardinals first scoring threat. Two possessions later, Nedney had a chance to up the lead, but missed a 53-yard FG attempt wide right.
Again the defense stepped up, as CB Tarell Brown stepped in front of a Warner pass intended for WR Anquan Boldin with 2:53 left in the half. With momentum in their favor, the Niners embarked on a 68-yard scoring drive that culminated in a 35-yard catch and run by WR Michael Crabtree for the game's 2nd TD, sending the 49ers into the locker room with a 17-0 lead at the half.
The Cardinals registered the only points of the 3rd qtr. as K Neil Rackers connected from 48 yards out. On the next drive, Smith threw his 2nd INT of the day into the hands of Cardinals S Adrian Wilson. Arizona converted the takeaway into a RB Beanie Wells TD run, but 49ers DT Ray McDonald blocked the PAT. After a San Francisco possession that stalled at midfield, the Cardinals got the ball back at their own 11 yard-line. On their first play though, Goldson stuck Wells and forced him to fumble the ball away to LB Parys Haralson. The home team quickly converted the theft into 7 points as Gore plunged into the endzone from 2 yards out. With a 24-9 lead, San Francisco sealed the game, utilizing their ground game to chew up the clock as well as their defense, who forced another turnover with 2:41 left, as S Mark Roman forced and recovered a Boldin fumble.
2010 Statistics
| 49ERS (rank) | CARDINALS (rank) | |
| 3-7 (t-3rd NFCW) | Record | 3-7 (t-3rd NFCW) |
| 16.0 (31st) | Points per game | 18.8 (26th) |
| 313.7 (25th) | Total Offense | 275.7 (31st) |
| 95.8 (25th) | Rushing Offense | 84.5 (28th) |
| 217.9 (19th) | Passing Offense | 191.2 (28th) |
| 28:50 (23rd) | Possession Avg | 29.2 (32nd) |
| 21.9 (16th) | Points allowed/gm | 22.9 (32nd) |
| 328.2 (13th) | Total Defense | 396.8 (29th) |
| 106.8 (15th) | Rushing Defense | 135.1 (28th) |
| 221.4 (17th) | Passing Defense | 261.7 (27th) |
| 22 (12th) | Sacks | 20 (t-16th) |
| 45.7 (7th) | Punting Avg (Gross) | 43.5 (t-15th) |
| -6 (t-24th) | Turnover Differential | -8 (t-27th) |
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Is it love is blind or fans are blind or both theres no way im picking the niners to win monday
night the same team that couldn’t pull a come back upset on their 1yrd line lmao are you effing serious.Maybe jonh gruden should have singletery on the bus looking at film show his mis-managed timeouts putting the punt team out there onlyto pull them off n throw the offense back on n then scream at the refs because the play clock that ‘’ he ’’’ mis-managed is damm near out,show his ultra-conservative not throwiing down field then ask him WTF were you thinking.And the kicker to this is the same coach that brought him on the bus to critizize ends up taking his job after singleteery is fired now thats justice!!!
by Jayubb415rebirth on Nov 24, 2010 8:15 AM PST reply actions
Singletary still wouldn't even know what just happened though bruh.....
not until he got a chance to go home and look at the film
Thats true i hate to come down on my team like this but im extremely disappointeed just
like everybody else on here but i feel chated i really did follow the niners this off-seaon so for me i feel cheated someone said if the niners lose this could help us position in the draft WTF yea exactly.Off season is to damm long to think about that by the way i will b following my WS champions GIANTS yes a team that deserves to be followed.I know alot of us has put it all on singletery ( including me) but its more about the moves he’s made he passed up getting a DE only to get a 3rd that ended up leaving us yes i was getting to that 1st rd pick but how is that looking so far he waisted all off-season long before all the good OCs were gone only to get jimmy raye,he purposley interfeered wth mike johnson offense where troy threw for 350+yrds to try n pound gore up the middle up the middle up the middle’’now i don’t know if he really did tell mike johnson to call more run plays ‘’but i’ll bet my bottom dollar he said somethig.He does’t have no half time adjustments shit he doesn’t have a week t week adjustments,he pisses away all our time outs on top of that he comes un-glued every week with the refs to many time in with the refs in front of his team n thats not good.Theres more i could rant on but why bother york nd company have showned in the past they move way to slow to make drastic personell moves so its quite dumb of me to complain about something that won’t be done until the seasons over but its my therapy.
by Jayubb415rebirth on Nov 24, 2010 9:08 AM PST up reply actions
I feel you man
I hate to have to talk about the team’s problems too. Especially when I thought I’d be talking about the playoffs right about now! That’s the thing though, the team is solid. From top to bottom the players are talented. Maybe the most talent in the division. Like you said though, Singletary makes too many questionable moves. I liked him a lot when he first came. I’m just starting to see you can’t just motivate rich cats into playing like champs. You gotta know how to coach some. Like you said he wastes timeouts every single game, but he won’t use a timeout before halftime to try to get us a field goal when we’re tied, or even losing. No halftime adjustments. And yea man I agree, I’m positive he said something to Mike Johnson about the play calling Sunday. After the Rams game he said he had to clean up some stuff with Troy. Basically Mike Singletary is scared to lose so he put the handcuffs on Troy. You can’t play scared or you’ll always lose, that’s my problem with him. You gotta play to win! It just hurts to watch my Niners do this bad. It’s like having a wife on meth or something though. I can’t leave the Niners, no way. So I’ll just vent and try to figure out the problems and work it out. Or stay until it gets better. It is therapy though because I aint gonna lie, a few times Singletary and Alex Smith had me so heated after games, that if I hadn’t vented and released that anger I might’ve hurt somebody on one of them Sundays…..
So...
We beat them in every single statistic thus far this season, except for points. Which is why we will lose. Mike will be all like “Oh look, they’re bad against the run…lets cram it down their throats without a decent O-Line, and no plan B”
What makes it even worse
is that’s his ONLY plan A. It’s not like he switches his plan A from week to week, month to month, or even season to season! He has one plan and he sticks to it no matter what.
Watch Troy come out looking like Mr. Checkdown this Monday
Even when the situation doesn’t call for it. We seem to always be making adjustments for last week’s loss.
Run the table, Niners!
Can you also make up a "Who do you want to win?" poll?
Cause it’s Cardinals all the way. The greater chance Singletary has of leaving, the better.
been there
Done that. Check out the poll on this post
by David Fucillo on Nov 24, 2010 10:17 AM PST up reply actions
i would pick the cardinals just cuz the 9ers are so good at losing, but this year the cards have losing down to an exact science. we’ll win this one, and some fans with short term memory loss will be happy with that. i can’t wait to be disgusted by the “season aint over yet”, “wow. troy really came through”, and “lets see if sing can really turn it around this time” posts.
my biggest fear is that we go over .500 in the rest of these sorry games we have left, and that this saves sing’s job and keeps alex on this roster.
Alex Smith is garbage...
Let's just go for a good 1st round pick.
We need help on QB, CB & OL, so let’s just get the best draft picks we can.
by wellnesscoach on Nov 24, 2010 11:59 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
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