Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner.
(AP Photo/Matt York)
Stemming from a discussion from earlier this week, there was a debate on whether or not a 9-7 record could get the 49ers the division crown. The track record for the division in the past three seasons have seen nine or 10 wins as just enough to make it to the playoffs.
But in order to predict a division winner, we have to look at what the 49ers have on their plate for the 2009 season. We'll look at the teams the 49ers have on their schedule and see if they even have what it takes to go 9-7 in 2009.
Today, we look at the team's Week 1 and Week 14 opponent, and defending NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals.
2008 Record: 9-7 (1st NFC West)
Last meeting: 11/10/08 @ Arizona (Cardinals win 29-24)
2009 schedule: Week 1 @ Arizona, Week 14 @ San Francisco
Top 3 best players: QB Kurt Warner, WR Larry Fitzgerald, WR Anquan Boldin
Notable draft picks: RB Beanie Wells, DE Cody Brown, CB Greg Toler
Notable new acquisitions: TE Anthony Becht, S Keith Lewis, CB Bryant McFadden
Notable losses: RB JJ Arrington, CB Rod Hood, RB Edgerrin James, DE Antonio Smith
Right after the season ended, the Cardinals-49ers rivalry already got off to a very intense start. With Kurt Warner pondering retirement as a free agent, Warner visited the 49ers briefly for a possible stint with the 49ers. Ultimately, Warner re-signed with the Cardinals.
Warner's little incident with the 49ers obviously did not sit well with the team. But what doesn't sit well with the Cardinals right now is Anquan Boldin's desire to be traded. However, if he does remain with the team, he would clearly still be part of the most dangerous wide receiver duo with Larry Fitzgerald. But since the Cardinals just signed safetey Adrian Wilson to a new five-year deal, trying to keep Boldin will be really difficult for the team.
With offensive coordinator Todd Haley agreeing to coach the Chiefs, we have to wonder if the Cardinals will still have that same fire power that allowed them to score 26.7 points per game last year. The running game last year saw the emergence of Tim Hightower as the team's short yardage back.
This year, the Cardinals added Ohio State standout Beanie Wells to run the ball, helping enforce a balanced offensive attack for the Cardinals.
In 2007, the 49ers swept the season series. In 2008, the Cardinals took the series sweep. All four of those games were very close, tightly contested games. Since 2006, the 49ers have started off their season against the Cardinals. This year, the 49ers are hoping to make an immediate impact on the division by beating the division champions.
Knowing very well of how talented the Cardinals offense could be, the defense of the Cardinals may get the most attention. Under a heavier playbook from new defensive coordinator Bill Davis, we will have to see how effective the Cardinals defense can be. Last year, they surrendered 26.6 points per game.
For the 49ers, they know that scoring against the Cardinals can not be a struggle. However, the 49ers will have to manage their execution under their new playbook. But as recent history has shown, these two games will definitely be close.
The biggest matchup will obviously be how Nate Clements handles Larry Fitzgerald. And if Boldin is still around, the 49ers will have either Dre Bly or Tarell Brown on him.
Last year, Warner amassed 4,500 passing yards and 30 touchdowns. However, Warner was sacked 26 times. A lot of the sacks, however, were a result of the Cardinals offense being on the field for so many plays. If the 49ers are looking to contain the high-octane offense of the Cardinals, the blitzes of Parys Haralson and Manny Lawson will be extremely key for the 49ers. We have seen Warner do amazing things with enough time in the pocket. And maybe the most key thing for the 49ers is that they have to go for the strip along with the sack. Warner fumbled the ball 11 times last year.
The Cardinals are no pushover team anymore and they should still remain the favorites to win the division. But if the 49ers can at least manage one win against the Cardinals, it will definitely go a long way down the stretch. A win against the Cardinals last year would have forced both team to finish 8-8. The 49ers are getting closer to matching up with the division winner.
The X-Factor for this series may come right down to special teams. Both teams have tremendous kickers. The Cardinals have the strong footed Neil Rackers and the 49ers have a very accurate Joe Nedney. But if you remember last year, the 49ers got off to that great start on Monday Night Football with an opening kickoff touchdown from Allen Rossum. If Rossum can help the 49ers get that great field position, the 49ers could very possibly manage the clock and avoid the Cardinals offense from getting onto the field often.
So this is the Arizona Cardinals. The 49ers will open the season in Phoenix against the defending NFC Champions. The core of the offense and defense are still intact, but there are new coordinators on both sides of the ball. Do you think the 49ers have what it takes to win at least one game against the Cardinals this year?
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Comments
Unlikely the Cards are way better on both sides of the ball and now they have the monkey off there backs they should steamroll through this division again. A trip to the superbowl looks likely
The O line is strong the RBs should be good the recievers are the best in the league throw in a hall of fame QB Warner with a solid backup in Leinart and the Cards should have the No 1 offence in the league. Then with a better defensive coordinator and Dockett Berry and Campbell the D line should be strong. Dansby Okeafor Hayes and Haggins have to be one of the best group of LBs in the league. Then you've got Wilson DRC and Rolle with Mcfadden comming in should be a great secondary. I'd say the Niners have next to no chance! The Cards will be looking to take the title as they should of against Pittsburgh!
The Niners will more than likely win 1 of the 2 games.
Jordan, your siting new coordinators on both sides of the ball is more of a detriment than an improvement due to the learning curve. And trust me when I say Warner is not yet a HOFer, he had way too much down time in the middle. The LB core is far from the best in the league; Steelers, Ravens, Jets, Dolphins, Titans, Vikings, Bears, and honestly, I would prefer Willis and Spikes in the middle than whatever you've got
The niners are getting better under Coach Singletary. It's difficult to say if the Niners can win nine games until the QB decision is made. I feel like Singletary favors Hill as he is just a winner, but Alex Smith has so much potential. As far as beating the Cards at least once, it can definitely happen. The niners are certainly getting better.
There is no way the 49ers will even come close to the Cardinals this year although I do believe that they will have at least one close game against one another. The Niner's won't be contenders in the West for at least another year. My predition...
1) Arizona
2) Seattle
3) San Francisco
4) St. Louis
I think the 49ers will win the division by sweeping the division (that's 6 wins) and then they should get wins against Houston, Chicago, and Detroit. (there is 9 total). That will be enought to win the division and go the the playoffs. Any other wins will be a bonus. GO NINERS!!!
Dear Mr. Lam,
Please write better. "However" is not the only word in the English language that can be used to introduce a an opposing logic.
You might want to take a look at this book called a thesaurus. It's quite handy.
Dave, what are you thinking..? even cardinal fans would admit when we knew we were going to loose throughout the years..
Seatle is more of a team to worry about than 49ers.. and if 49ers got one good win out of the cardinals they are coming nowhere close to sweeping the division.. when did these 49ers get so good to sweep both cardinals and seahawks..? oh yeah, they didnt
hey dave you said the niners will have a division sweep?? dude your rooting for the wrong team if your looking for a division sweep. the cards will repeat the division sweep like last year. as for you other niners fans; look at every position you have and compare that to the cards every position. player for player we dominate you and will for years to come. this is the start of a dynasty. beanie, fitzgerald, boldin, breaston, warner, hightower, drc, wilson, rolle, mcfadden, dansby, dockett... you must be joking if u think u have a shot. all i gta say is "ARIZONA CARDINALS NFC CHAMPIONS"
niners suck
- always a rams fan
(On the other hand, San Francisco is probably my favorite city to visit. Whatever..........)
Too many biased comments. I'm a 49er fan but here is the reality. I believe the Niners are building on something really good. The key word in that sentence is "building". While I do believe they will contend for the division and could possibly win 1 of the 2 games against the cards...they aren't quite there yet as far as taking the lead in the division. Right now it's a 3 team race, although Seattle better do something this year because they're getting way too old. Cardinals definitely have something good going. I think they need to be more balanced with their running attack which it looks like they will attempt to be this year. More importantly they need to improve on defense. While they do have some talent, they really were not that good. The Niners are REALLY talented on defense. They just need some more help on offense to stay on the field and help that defense out. I feel as though they are heading in the right direction but need 1 more year. What does everyone else think?
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