49ers Vs. Cardinals: A Rivalry

by David Fucillo on Nov 17, 2011 1:59 PM PST in San Francisco 49ers News

In recent years, it always felt like the NFL was doing everything it could to force a 49ers-Cardinals rivalry on the world. Dating back to 2007, the 49ers and Cardinals have squared off on one Monday Night Football game each year. This season is the first time since 2006 when they won't face off on MNF.

Over at Revenge of the Birds, Jess opened up a discussion of the favorite and least favorite moments over the course of the rivalry. Our favorite and least favorite moments will likely mirror many of theirs to some extent, but it's fun to discuss. Although generally at least one of the two teams has been struggling each season, it still has made for compelling football at times. The 49ers have won four straight, with the last three being by double digits, but that doesn't make it any worse.

One of my favorite moments had to be the 37-31 overtime victory in 2007. The 49ers sacked Kurt Warner in the end zone and recovered a fumble to secure the win. However, the play I will always remember was rookie linebacker Patrick Willis making a game-saving tackle of Sean Morey in that same overtime period.

On 2nd and 4 at the Arizona 14, Morey completed a pass to Morey who had nothing but daylight ahead of him. However, Willis ran him down from about ten yards back and tackled him at the 49ers 24. As the video below shows, Michael Lewis did get down there as well, but I still love what Willis did on the play. The Cardinals did move down to the 49ers 14 to attempt a field goal, but Neil Rackers missed the 32-yard attempt. Had Willis given up on the Morey play, the Cardinals would have scored the game-winning touchdown and that would have been it.

Do you have any other particular favorite moments from this rivalry?

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My favorite was the mnf game where we forced 7 turnovers

Oh btw check out what this idiot said about the 49ers cardinals game.
http://www.nesn.com/2011/11/week-11-nfl-picks-made-easier-thanks-to-matt-leinart-tyler-palko-michael-vick.html

by MNY49 on Nov 17, 2011 2:05 PM PST via mobile reply actions

"These are still the 49ers"...

…Is a ridiculous statement.

However, if we are up for a letdown with the remaining NFC West games, I would rather have it happen now, learn from it so it won’t happen again, and move on to progressing further. I wouldn’t want a letdown if for example we somehow face a 9-7 or 10-6 team in the playoffs

by fortyniners on Nov 17, 2011 2:17 PM PST up reply actions

That guy is an idiot

These are the same 49ers he must not have got the memo.. We have a genious of a coach that clearly removes us from the niners of these past 8 years.

by Zintzun22niner on Nov 17, 2011 2:30 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

all you have to do is look at the website.

then you’ll understand how stupid his reasoning is. NESN is a joke

by mtl9ers14 on Nov 17, 2011 2:34 PM PST up reply actions

That was my favorite too,

because I was there. The only niner home game I’ve been to. Candlestick was rockin that night.

"Fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through life son."

by bakoninerfan on Nov 17, 2011 2:28 PM PST up reply actions

Typical Boston.

ClaYton Kershaw, Giant Killa | KeMVP #BEASTMODE

"If the 49ers success offends you, so be it." - Jim Harbaugh

Follow @michaelsp310

by mikeinsp on Nov 17, 2011 2:42 PM PST up reply actions

Favorite moment

Going to 49ers-Cardinals game several years ago at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, AZ and seeing more 49er fans than Cardinal fans at that game…

Least favorite- I live in Arizona for now.

Blanking out on any actually game moments, but I’m sure will see something memorable this Sunday…

by fortyniners on Nov 17, 2011 2:14 PM PST reply actions

Forty Niner fan in AZ as well

I saw Steve Young’s last game in 1999 at Sun Devil Stadium. It was week 3 MNF. Also a lot of niner fans around us – more than Cardinal fans, for sure. It was an awesome game that we won.

Least favorite – in that same game, watching Steve Young go down and not get up right away – very scary. I was sad to see that effectively end his career.

by doyoufeellucky on Nov 17, 2011 3:12 PM PST up reply actions

After the video

Click on the link for “homegrown” very nice Willis feature.

I’ll get to my Az moments later, they’re kinda jumbled in my head right now.

A proud member of the epic "Green Thread" that was Pitts nonsigning of 3/24-3/25. Oh and I was there for there for the Carr nonpresser too.

by tanos135 on Nov 17, 2011 2:22 PM PST reply actions

word

I love the way he thinks. “You might be stronger than me, you might be faster than me, but you won’t out work me”. Absolute Niner for life.

by t p on Nov 17, 2011 3:24 PM PST up reply actions

Goldson loves playing these guys

It could very well be a turnoverfest and a niners blowout victory. All these are the same cardinals!!

by Zintzun22niner on Nov 17, 2011 2:32 PM PST via mobile reply actions

Was it the 2008 or 2009 season on the MNF doubleheader to start the season...

Arnaz Battle’s end around to win the game at the ’stick.

by NinerFanTucson on Nov 17, 2011 2:35 PM PST reply actions

2007

Jim Harbaugh doesn't just WANT winners, he MAKES them!

by Adusoron on Nov 17, 2011 10:03 PM PST up reply actions

Any time the Niners beat the Cards is great for me in AZ

Worst memory, Watching Steve Young’s career ending injury at Sun Devil Stadium..

"You have to reinvent yourself each year, ... What helped us was that there was some turnover each year." Bill Walsh...

by AzNiner on Nov 17, 2011 2:46 PM PST reply actions

For me it's,

my favorite was the 7 TO extravaganza in 09

my least favorite was the stupid hand off at the goal line to Michael Robinson. Lost the game because of poor clock management and handing it off to Michael Robinson when you have effing Frank Gore. Stupid.

Affectionately,
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar,
NBA’s All-Time Leading Scorer

by afrikabamboodle on Nov 17, 2011 2:56 PM PST reply actions

I was at that game!

P willie’s speed was amazing! And choker David Akers thank god haha

And no better way to end it with a fumble recovery like that, the crowd was dead silent except for me and the niner faithful. I feared for my life after that game haha.

Did that game also have a hail marry to fitz just before halftime? I cant quite remember if it was that one. Even though i was there lol.

by h0ckeysk83r on Nov 17, 2011 3:08 PM PST reply actions

*Neil Rackers

I failed miserably : (

by h0ckeysk83r on Nov 17, 2011 3:09 PM PST up reply actions

How dare you....

And choker David Akers thank god haha

MVP!! MVP!!! :P

Affectionately,
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar,
NBA’s All-Time Leading Scorer

by afrikabamboodle on Nov 17, 2011 4:16 PM PST up reply actions

Not a rivalry

We always find a way to kick their ass even when we suck. Haha, we even kept them out of the playoffs that one year. I bet they think it’s a rivalry though because we kick their ass so much.

If you're watching a blowout, you can pass the time by counting the double teapots.
Samurai Champloo > Macross

by doubleteapot on Nov 17, 2011 3:37 PM PST reply actions

Shaun Hill

For me, it’s got to be Shaun Hill’s helmetless run and throwing the first down signal.

by NinerNick on Nov 17, 2011 3:40 PM PST reply actions

Its a shame how the game ended. Singletary and martz blew it

by Krauser II on Nov 17, 2011 5:58 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

Anytime Willis puts the Crunch on

Somebody! He is a game changer and a game manager from the defensive side of the ball. Along with Justin Smith up front, Lean and Mean!

49ers Shop

by wellnesscoach on Nov 17, 2011 4:19 PM PST reply actions

I was at the 2007 game in AZ...

I’m from NM so it was my first 49ers game. I was with my Dad and my two younger brothers. My Dad is more of Denver fan but he still roots for the 49ers because of me. I was hoping Alex would play that week but it was Dilfer, I believe. So it comes down the last few seconds and AZ kicks a FG and makes it. I was crushed, not to mention the Cards fans were chanting “hey hey, goodbye,” and throw stuff at us. But SF calls the TO and AZ misses the 2nd FG and it goes to OT. I was going nuts! And then after a 3 and out, AZ runs the PR to the 30 yd line. Great, now AZ fans are throw stuff again, jerks! “Holding, return team, half the distance…” This is it. Warner is backed up, Niners have to get this safety, but get the TD off a strip fumble. Amazing!! My voice was gone so I couldn’t trash talk the people throwing stuff, but I didn’t need to. ;)

by agchee on Nov 17, 2011 5:06 PM PST reply actions

Nice ...... Me and my sons will be at the Card game in December , their first game ...!!

I'm your " Huckelberry "...it's just my game ..( .AleX ) was asked , what do you think about all the game manager talk ... AleX i guess i just managed myself a VIctory ... Extend the Man ...!!

by Edggy on Nov 17, 2011 6:17 PM PST up reply actions

Should be fun...

Nice Stadium. Fans aren’t as cocky as they use to be and the 49ers should go out and blast them so I image you won’t be getting pelted with trash like we were.

by agchee on Nov 17, 2011 6:26 PM PST up reply actions