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49ers 2009 opponent breakdown: Arizona Cardinals (Week 1 and Week 14)
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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?
Trying out Twitter for 49ers updates. Check me out here @SLam49ers
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