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Time for some links about the challenges the Niners present, and a little video with Patrick Peterson mic'd up against Dallas.
Against Niners, Playing It Safe
Notebook: Avoiding turnovers key; Doucet overcomes drop; Beanie limited
Time For Roberts
Hundred-yard game highlights groove found for second-year receiver
49ers winning games with turnovers, field position
As a football topic, field position has all the allure of Carhartt work clothes. There are sexier topics, for sure, ones that come with designer labels. But playing against the 49ers is a matter of function, not fashion. Their game is about playing stout defense, punting well and not committing turnovers. That was never more apparent for them this season than when they beat the Cardinals three weeks ago.
Word From the Birds Blog - About that field-goal "defense"
In this day and age when kickers make 80 to 85 percent of their field-goal attempts, the chances of kickers missing a lot simply doesn’t happen — especially good kickers on fire, like David Akers and Dan Bailey. Unless, apparently, they face the Cardinals. The Cardinals’ ability to block field goals is well documented; their 11 blocks in the last four seasons (2008 through now) leads the NFL and they led the league both 2009 and 2010, as well as leading this year. But Cards’ opponents have missed five other field goals this season that were not blocked. That’s nine misses total — most in the league, although their percentage of 73.5 made against them is fourth in the league (many more attempts against the Cards; league-leading Philadelphia has seen only 12 of 18 field-goal attempts made against them for a 66.7 percent conversion rate).
Chat wrap: Seahawks' OL challenges - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Phil from Connecticut asks about the Arizona Cardinals' chances against San Francisco, specifically whether the Cardinals can minimize turnovers.
Word From the Birds Blog - Cards sell out game against 49ers
The Cardinals officially have sold out Sunday’s game, meaning it will not be blacked out locally and instead be shown on Fox (Ch. 10) in the Valley. The game is the 61st straight time – out of 61 possibilities – in which the Cards have sold out University of Phoenix Stadium.
Jovial Cardinals look to keep good times going against 49ers - ArizonaSports.com
As the saying goes, "winning cures all ills" in the sports world. Winners in four of their last five games, the Arizona Cardinals may be living proof that the adage is, in fact correct.
Limiting turnovers key for Cardinals - ArizonaSports.com
The resurgent Arizona Cardinals, still basking in the afterglow of a 19-13 overtime win against the Dallas Cowboys last Sunday, face their biggest challenge yet against the newly minted NFC West champion San Francisco 49ers.
azcentral.com blogs - Kent Somers - Old school football
The importance of field position isn't a topic that's going to push anyone's hot buttons. But it will be a vital factor in Sunday's game against the 49ers.
azcentral.com blogs - Kent Somers - A concern at punter
The Cardinals worked out two punters on Thursday in case Dave Zastudil can't play on Sunday against the 49ers because of a right biceps injury.
SI writer ranks Kevin Kolb among the NFL's worst - ArizonaSports.com
Kevin Kolb's struggles this season have been well documented, but you'd have to think a sterling second half in a win over the Cowboys would improve his standing among the national media. Think again. Sports Illustrated's Jim Trotter ranks the NFL's signal callers on a weekly basis, and Arizona's QB comes in at 28, ahead of just Rex Grossman, Sam Bradford, Blaine Gabbert and Tyler Palko.
Expanded list: Most sacks per pass play - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Expanding on an earlier post, this one ranks NFL players by most sacks per pass play through Week 13. The San Francisco 49ers' Aldon Smith ranks fourth on the list. The St. Louis Rams' Chris Long is 10th. The Arizona Cardinals' Sam Acho ranks 19th. Ex-Seattle Seahawk Lawrence Jackson is 14th. Ex-Ram Adam Carriker ranks 21st.
Offensive Lines: Mid-Season Report | ProFootballFocus.com
24. Arizona Cardinals Rank: Pass Blocking = 32nd, Run Blocking = 8th, Penalties = 7th
NFL Videos: Sound FX: Patrick Peterson
Patrick Peterson was mic'd up for his battle with Cowboys WR Dez Bryant during the Cardinals' big Week 13 victory.
Big Red Rage - Rhodes and Colledge
OL Daryn Colledge joined Paul Calvisi, Ron Wolfley, and Kerry Rhodes to talk about the win against the Cowboys and the upcoming match-up with the 49ers.
Video: A different Arizona Cardinals team?
CineSport's Noah Coslov is joined by Kent Somers of The Arizona Republic to preview Sunday's game against the 49ers as the Cardinals look for their third straight win.
Cards Daily - One on One with A-Dub
Damien Anderson takes a moment to catch up with longtime safety Adrian Wilson to talk about his season.
Video: NFC 411 covers Kolb, conference - NFC West Blog - ESPN
One of my Facebook friends, Nathaniel, recently asked to see a Total QBR breakdown for Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb by half against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 13. Here goes: 7.8 in the first half, 69.8 in the second half, 96.7 in overtime, 82.2 after halftime. For more on Kolb and what his second-half performance means -- against Dallas and this season in general -- cue the NFC 411 video.
Arizona Sports News:
Red Wings pound Coyotes with first-period barrage
The Detroit Red Wings did all of the work in the first period and coasted for the final 40 minutes. Valtteri Filppula and Jiri Hudler both had a goal and assist, and Detroit scored five times in the first period of its 5-2 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes on Thursday night.
Phoenix Suns to sign guard Shannon Brown
Shannon Brown spent part of his first two seasons in the D-League and was on his fourth team in three seasons in 2009 when his career hit a turnaround that set up this important offseason. After posting career-high scoring averages as Kobe Bryant's backup on a loaded Lakers team for the past two seasons, Brown's choice to sign with the Suns on Friday was not made lightly.
NFL News:
2012 NFL draft order thru Week 13 (top 16) - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Thank you, Matt Willis of ESPN Stats & Information for passing along 2012 NFL draft order for every team without a winning record through Week 13.
Ben Roethlisberger Injury: Steelers QB Has High Ankle Sprain - SBNation.com
Ben Roethlisberger went down with what looked like an ugly injury but later returned to help the Steelers beat the Browns on Thursday Night Football. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Roethlisberger has a high ankle sprain.
49ers Could Sign Alex Smith To Contract Extension - SBNation.com
The San Francisco 49ers may want to keep quarterback Alex Smith around for a little while longer. Reports today say the team could sign him to a contract extension.