The 49ers 23-7 win over the Cardinals clinched their first winning season since 2002 when the team last made the playoffs.  With a 9-1 record and five-game division lead with six games to play, the 49ers seem destined to return to the playoffs this season.  The 49ers easily handled the Cardinals but you would not know the game was one-sided by looking at the final score.  The 49ers mostly stopped themselves on offense than the Cardinals defense keeping them from reaching the end-zone.  The rain might have played a factor in the 49ers unable to convert turnovers into touchdowns.  The rain did play a factor in the first-half for kicker David Akers who missed three field goals.  I attended yesterday’s game and I have never heard a crowd that loud at a Niners game.  Even in the middle of the fourth quarter as the 49ers were well on their way to victory and the stadium half-empty, the crowd was just as loud.  Check back later as I will be posting pictures from the game.

The 49ers were fully focused on the Cardinals game and did not seem to be looking ahead to the Ravens game now being called the Har-Bowl.  Get ready for Thanksgiving tonight 49er Faithful.  Our team will be on full display for the NFL nation to see what the 49ers are all about.  This will also be a great opportunity on Thanksgiving to shut-up all the family members who still do not give the 49ers credit and respect.  Check in all week at Niner Noise for full coverage of the Har-Bowl.  Until then, let’s hand out some Game Gold Nuggets.

(more…)

Here are five things to watch out for in tomorrow’s divisional game between the Cardinals vs. 49ers:

Cardinals Wide Receivers:

For years the 49ers had to deal with Cardinals WR’s Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin.  With Boldin now in Baltimore the task of defending Cardinals WR’s is not any easier.  The emergence of WR Early Doucet as a threat has opened the field up for Fitzgerald this season the same way Boldin did.  This season Doucet has 36 receptions for 461 yards and four touchdowns.  Fitzgerald had his best game of the season last week in the win the over the Eagles with seven receptions for 146 yards and two touchdowns.  This season Fitzgerald has 45 receptions for 792 yards and five touchdowns.

(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.

(more…)