The 49ers lost 21-19 to the Cardinals yesterday because scoring touchdowns in the red zone continues to be a struggle for the offense.  The offense not scoring with three chances inside the end zone in the second quarter is bad.  You might read around that it is not time to panic yet, but I disagree.  The 49ers are now tied with the Saints for second-place in the NFC and cannot afford to lose another game if they want a first-round bye in the playoffs.  If the 49ers cannot solve the red zone issues it will not matter where the team is seeded in the playoffs – they will be eliminated in the first game.  Let’s hand out some Game Gold Nuggets:

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Pressuring QB Kevin Kolb

The 49ers defense has not given up a rushing touchdown in the last 13 games dating back to last season, which is the longest streak since 1970.  The 49ers will certainly take away RB Beanie Wells and the running game, so the Cardinals will have to go to the air often to move down the field.  The 49ers D have made a name for its self by pressuring quarterbacks.  It won’t be any different this week against QB Kevin Kolb and the Cardinals offense.  The 49ers lead the league in turnovers with 28 (16 INT’s, 12 fumble recoveries) with rookie LB Aldon Smith leading the way with 9 ½ sacks.

Kolb missed the last meeting with the 49ers due to a toe turf injury.  The 49ers heavily pressured backup QB John Skelton so much that the third-string quarterback entered the game.  The 49ers can similarly pressure Kolb into mistakes but it will be a taller task than the previous match-up.  Kolb played well in his game back in the overtime win over the Cowboys last week.  The Cardinals QB finished with 247 passing yards and the game-winning touchdown.  Easier said than done but if the secondary can keep WR Larry Fitzgerald in check, pressuring Kolb will not be a problem.

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The 49ers will be without LB Patrick Willis against the Cardinals on Sunday.  Willis suffered a right hamstring injury in the first quarter last Sunday and did not practice this week.  Willis could be out for the rest of the season as the injury can take anywhere from three to six weeks to heal.

The 49ers defense will be in good hands with backup LB Larry Grant who had six tackles and one sack filling in for Willis last week.  Still the defense will miss Willis and may have to get used to playing without him for the rest of the season.

Other Injuries

The 49ers listed four other players as questionable: Tarell Brown (ankle), Carlos Rogers (knee) and Braylon Edwards (knee).  Although Rogers’ injury is not serious he did not practice Wednesday.  The 49ers defense will need both Brown and Rogers in the game with Willis ruled out.