Oh how far the NFC West has come. Two seasons ago the NFC West division was the laughing stock of the NFL. ESPN’s Primetime would poke fun at the division by calling it “Westbound and Down,” and rightfully so. In the 2010 NFL season, the Seattle Seahawks were crowned division champions with a 7-9 regular season record. It was the first time a division was won by a team with a losing record, quite embarrassing. Times do change though and last season the San Francisco 49ers took the division with a 13-3 regular season record. The Niners got off to a fast start, but the success was downed played because the Niners played in a weak division. As the season progress, it was apparent that the division was not as feeble as some thought it to be. The Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals were playing outstanding football around the mid way point of the season and on. Towards the end of the season the division was not known as “Westbound and Down,” but “Westbound and Up.” As much as I do not want to admit it, the division will continue to improve and the Niners will not find themselves cruising to a division title as they did last season. Here is why. (more…)

Put another “W” in the win column for the San Franciso 49ers. The Niners beat the Arizona Cardinals 23-7 in Candlestick Park after a slow start to the game. It was a tough game for Niner’s Kicker David Akers, he started the game by getting his first field goal attempt blocked. He would then miss his next field goal attempt and later in the first half Akers would get another field goal attempt blocked. In all Akers went 3/6 in the first half. But David Akers was not the only Niner having a rough first half, QB Alex Smith missed in a couple of touchdown passes. Alex had WR Braylon Edwards open in the endzone, but the pass was too high and went off the finger tips of Edwards. Later in the first half Alex would over throw WR Michael Crabtree, he was wide open in the end zone after running a great route. The halftime score would be 9-0 eventhough the Niners dominated the first half in virtually all statistics. (more…)

With an 8-1 record and wins over potential playoff teams the Bengals, Eagles, Lions and Giants, it is easy for the 49ers to look past games against lesser quality opponents.  This Sunday the 49ers host the surging Cardinals who enter the game with a 3-6 record and are on a two game winning streak.  Let’s hope the 49ers are not looking ahead to the Ravens, Harbaugh vs. Harbaugh game on Thanksgiving night and are focused on the Cardinals.  I know I am are already calling the Cardinals game a win and counting down until the 49ers second biggest game of the season.  As fan I can think this way, but Jim Harbaugh and the players cannot.  I know Harbaugh will have his team focused on Sunday’s match-up but the Cardinals will still give the 49ers a good game.

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