ATL_Predator+ 1,196 Posted October 25, 2012 The NFC West-leading San Francisco 49ers followed up an uncharacteristic one-sided loss with a gritty division-opening win last week. They're expecting another tough battle when they visit the desert Monday night. Points could be hard to come by as San Francisco -- winner of 10 of 12 against division opponents -- squares off against the offensively-challenged Arizona Cardinals, who are hoping to avoid a fourth consecutive loss. After suffering a 26-3 defeat to the New York Giants in Week 6, the 49ers (5-2) got back on track last Thursday with a 13-6 win over Seattle. Frank Gore ran for a season-high 131 yards and added five receptions for another 51 while the defense limited the Seahawks to 251 yards of total offense. "We expect these games in the NFC West to be 60 minutes of physical football," left tackle Joe Staley said. Gore was forced from that victory with bruised ribs but -- thanks to 10 days off -- should be good to go for what sets up as another highly-competitive showdown Monday night. While the 49ers are giving up an NFL-low 272.3 yards per game and rank second with 14.3 points allowed, Arizona (4-3) isn't far behind. The Cardinals are holding opponents to averages of 16.9 points and 312.1 yards to rank fourth and seventh, respectively. "All of the teams in the NFC West have a defense that's strong, that's very physical," Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt told the 49ers' official website. "That's a great quality for our division to show to the rest of the league. I know that it will be a physical game on Monday night. It always is when we play the 49ers." San Francisco had held the Cardinals to 9.0 points during a five-game win streak in this series before falling 21-19 in Arizona on Dec. 11. "They play outstanding defense... ," coach Jim Harbaugh said. "A team that we know. They know us. Have a lot of respect for the Cardinals." Since averaging 22.8 points in winning its first four games to post its best start in 38 years, Arizona has been limited to a combined 33 in dropping three in a row. The Cardinals outgained Minnesota 356-209 in total offense but came up short last Sunday, falling 21-14. "It kind of feels like we're not handling our side of the ball," LaRod Stephens-Howling said after running for a career-best 104 yards and a TD. "The defense is playing great, the special teams are playing great, we just need to pick it up and score points." While Stephens-Howling was able to provide a spark, John Skelton struggled in his second start of the season. Skelton threw for 262 yards with a touchdown but was sacked seven times and committed two turnovers. Skelton has compiled an NFL-worst 4.9 interception percentage since Nov. 6, throwing 17 picks in 349 attempts. "You can't squander it," he told the team's official website. "You can't give it away. The way our defense is playing, any points on the board is really a win for us, because we know we're not going to have to get into a shootout with anyone at this point." Sitting in a second-place tie with Seattle, Arizona dropped one game behind San Francisco with last Sunday's loss. "Those guys are definitely where we want to be," cornerback Patrick Peterson said. "Those guys are the NFC West champs as of right now. As an Arizona Cardinals team, we have a lot to prove and we want to get where those guys are." Slowing down San Francisco's ground game could prove crucial if Arizona hopes to stick around Monday. The 49ers have recorded 176.6 rushing yards per contest to rank second in the league -- nearly double what the Cardinals are averaging (89.3). "It seems to me they run the ball on everybody," said Whisenhunt, whose team has surrendered 331 rushing yards on 5.5 per carry during its last two games. "It doesn't matter who it is, they've done a nice job. They've got a good scheme, they're well-coached. I've watched Frank Gore for a number of years and have great respect for him as a player." Gore has averaged 113.2 yards from scrimmage and ran for 11 touchdowns in 11 career starts against the Cardinals. Arizona has dropped eight of its last nine Monday night games, with its lone win coming 29-24 over San Francisco on Nov. 10, 2008. "There's just a different feel about playing a Monday night game," Cardinals center Lyle Sendlein said. "It's like a playoff game. It's always intense." Cardinals are quickly falling off the radar after their hot start. With the 49ers defense gaining steam and the Cards offensive line being the worst in the league, Skelton will be in for a rough, rough night. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigBen07 285 Posted October 28, 2012 Heh. the 49ers D is going to rip Skelton a new one. 28 10 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bay 2,003 Posted October 28, 2012 I'm not sure. Skelton seems to play well against us. >_> Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted October 28, 2012 21-14 49ers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted October 28, 2012 Cardinals D is solid.. but their offense is so bad, and it's the 49ers we're talking about. Don't know if I even want to watch this game. lol Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllYouNeedIsLovie 377 Posted October 30, 2012 Give me the 49ers in this game. I can't see the Cardinals offense getting much going against the 49ers D. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted October 30, 2012 Brandon Jacobs is a healthy inactive for Monday night's game against the Cardinals. Jacobs wasn't on the injury report for the first time this week, so his inactivity is due to the successful combination of Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter. Anthony Dixon is the third running back due to his special teams prowess. Mario Manningham (shoulder) and LT Joe Staley (pneumonia) are active and will start. The rest of the San Francisco inactives are WR A.J. Jenkins, RB LaMichael James, OG Joe Looney, S Trenton Robinson, NT Ian Williams, and QB Scott Tolzien. Cardinals declared QB Kevin Kolb, TE Todd Heap, RG Adam Snyder, CB Greg Toler, OG Senio Kelemete, WR LaRon Byrd, and LB Jamaal Westerman inactive for Monday night's game against the 49ers. Kolb is sidelined for the foreseeable future due to ribs and shoulder injuries. Heap has been absent since Week 2 with a knee injury. Snyder has graded out as one of the worst guards in the NFL this season, and he will be out with a quad issue. Rich Ohrnberger will draw the start at right guard. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ATL_Predator+ 1,196 Posted October 30, 2012 lolCardinals. Fitz clearly has a concussion. Peterson got burnt on EVERY scoring play...and Randy Moss made it look like he was a Viking again. Consider your season finished. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BradyFan81 404 Posted October 30, 2012 How the fuck did we lose to Arizona? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigBen07 285 Posted October 30, 2012 (edited) Yeah, Arizona sucks pretty bad right now. 4 game losing streak, and the offense has been so shitty lately. Good game by the Niners. Now they're in the driver's seat in the NFC West. Edited October 30, 2012 by BigBen07 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bay 2,003 Posted November 2, 2012 I heard Crabtree owned that PP ass. Just like last year. Get fucking use to it, Patrick. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
