Arizona lost their discipline as well as their opportunity to clinch the NFC West crown for the second year in a row. They threw away the ball and fumbled it away even more.
Two out of the seven turnovers for the Cardinals led to two Alex Smith touchdown passes, while Frank Gore rushed for 167 yards and scored a touchdown. With their dominating 24-9 win on Monday night over Arizona, San Francisco kept their very slim hopes to make the playoffs alive.
Darnell Dockett, Arizona tackle said, it wasn’t anything that they did I don’t think. We lost the game on our own.
The relentless defensive attack by the 49ers forced a sloppy Cardinals team into five turnovers in the first half and prevented Kurt Warner from getting into a groove. During the opening half Warner had two interceptions after passing 130 times without any pick offs.
The Cardinals (8-5) still have the opportunity to clinch their division crown by winning two of their last three games.
Gore said, we came out here and really dominated. We got a win versus a team that has been playing great football and that could have clinched the division with a win. They allowed me to get into the zone. When a running back is able to get into the zone, it is tough to stop him.
It was the most productive game for Gore since Week 2. He ran all over a Cardinals defense that last week held Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson to only 19 yards rushing in their victory over the Vikings. After rushing for just 30 yards in 22 carries on September 13 in the season opening win in Arizona, Gore was very motivated to have a big night.
Smith, who came into the game having passed for 310 yards, his career high, in the team’s loss last week in Seattle, connected with Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis on touchdown passes. He went 19 for 35 for a total of 144 yards passing. San Francisco (6-7) answered the challenge of coach Mike Singletary to make a strong statement versus the current NFC champions on a national stage.
Arizona matched a high for turnovers in the NFL this season. It was their second game in 2009 having six or more turnovers, delighting Candlestick Park’s sellout crowd. Last season they had seven versus the Jets in a game they lost 56-35.
It was the first time San Francisco had forced seven turnovers since having eight on September 14, 1997 versus New Orleans. Their five forced fumbles set a franchise record. Two of the fumbles came from Dashon Goldson, safety.
Ken Whisenhunt, Cardinals coach said, clinching the division I don’t think was ever a big thing for us. We were playing a team that earlier this year beat us, it was a Monday Night Football game, the week before we have a very emotional game versus the Vikings. We were very excited. We lost some of our discipline. That’s something you can’t ever do.
San Francisco not too long ago had been hoping the game would decide the division crown. However after starting 3-1, the 49ers lost six of their next games. For this game they showed up. It was a night where Jerry Rice and Steve Young, former stars for San Francisco were working the ESPN pregame show from their sideline.
Singletary said, I really can’t express how very proud of this team I am. All week that was what we talked about. Let’s go out there and see just how good we really can be and not kill ourselves.
After having the finest four game streak in his career, Warner had a dud. He went 16 for 29 for a total of 178 yards passing and was sacked four times. Johnny Unitas and Warner are the only quarterbacks in NFL history to have a passer rating for four games in a row of 120 or more.
Warner said, sometimes this game is crazy, just like anything is in this life. You get to some point and and think, okay maybe we are there now. Then it turns out, no you aren’t there quite yet. We continue finding that out.
Arizona wasn’t helped at all when they lost Larry Fitzgerald, their star receiver, early second half due to an injured right knee after he was landed on by Goldson. He returned to the game later.
Davis caught a touchdown, his 11th this season, to extend his tight end franchise record. The second touchdown reception of Crabtree’s career, a catch of 35 yards, came a minute before halftime. A field goal of 37 yards was added by Joe Nedney.
Mid third quarter, the Cardinals finally scored on a field goal of 48 yards by Neil Rackers. Early fourth quarter on fourth down and goal at the one yard line Beanie Wells scored with a second effort that was very impressive. The attempt for an extra point was blocked by Ray McDonald.
Dre’ Bly, 49ers cornerback said, when you are able to force turnovers the way we did tonight, when you have six or seven, there is no way that you will lose.
From the very start of the game the Cardinals were completely out of sync. During the opening drive for the 49ers, Arizona jumped offside three times in four snaps.
With four and a half minutes left first quarter, the 49ers used their second and last review. They won, giving Bly a fumble recovery off of Tim Hightower and first down and goal from the 49ers 8 yard line.
Two plays later Smith connected with Davis on a 5 yard touchdown pass to give the 49ers a lead of 7-0.
Whisenhunt said, both of our backs fumbled. That’s not acceptable. It was ugly obviously for all of us. We are embarrassed and disappointed.
Crabtree caught five passes for a total of 67 yards receiving.
