Cardinals Upset the 49ers

Well, there goes the two seed.

The 49ers clinched the NFC West last week and were looking to take a step closer to getting a bye week for the postseason. It seemed like an easy enough test going into Arizona to face the Cardinals. Some pretty standard stuff happened with the 49ers in this game including the fact they just can't score a TD once they are in the red zone. Luckily for them, they still had a 19-7 lead very early in the 3rd quarter with Kevin Kolb out of the game. It a pity the Cards still have Larry Fitzgerald. Larry gets a 46 yard TD catch a few minutes later in the 3rd and then gets a 53 yard reception in the early 4th that helps set them up for a TD pass to Andre Roberts. The Cardinals somehow managed to hold on for the win, 21-19.

49ers are now 10-3 with this loss and seem exposed. True, Patrick Willis was still out with an injury but the defense didn't look too bad overall. Not great with Larry gladly exposing their flaws but the defense still kept them in the game. It was the offense that still needs some fine tuning. No turnovers in the game which is always a nice thing but seemingly a lack of clutch performances. Alex Smith was off today going 18/37 for 175 yards and he was sacked 5 times which goes against him and the offensive line. Though they needed help certainly moving the sticks towards the end of the game, they needed help finishing drives for TD's during the whole game. To get in the Red Zone and settle for FG's keeps the other team in the game. That offense needs some Red Zone practice this week.

49ers need to have some good practice sessions this week as they face the Steelers in Week 15. Luckily they have an extra day to work out the kinks as it is a Monday Night game at Candlestick.

P.S. Saints holding on for a win against the Titans means they are 10-3. Looking ahead, they have a slightly easier schedule than the 49ers. If the 49ers can somehow beat the Steelers, the two seed might still be theirs.