The 2012 NFC West schedule of head-to-head games includes a Monday night game on Oct. 29 between the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals. There are also two Thursday night games that will air on NFL Network. The first is Oct. 4 between Arizona and the St. Louis Rams and the second game is on Oct. 18 between San Francisco and the Seattle Seahawks.

The only week where all four teams play against each other comes in Week 17, where the division title could get decided. San Francisco is looking to repeat as champion of the NFC West, but rebuilding efforts in Seattle, St. Louis and Arizona will look to cause damage of their own.

2012 NFC West Head-to-Head Schedule

Week 1: Sun, Sep 9 – Seattle at Arizona, 1:15 p.m. PT (FOX)

Week 4: Sun, Sep 30 – Seattle at St. Louis, 10 a.m. PT (FOX)

Week 5: Thu, Oct 4 – Arizona at St. Louis, 5:20 p.m. PT (NFL)

Week 7: Thu, Oct 18 – Seattle at San Francisco, 5:20 p.m. PT (NFL)

Week 8: Mon, Oct 29 – San Francisco at Arizona, 5:30 p.m. PT (ESPN)

Week 10: Sun, Nov 11 – St. Louis at San Francisco, 1:15 p.m. PT (FOX)

Week 12: Sun, Nov 25 – St. Louis at Arizona, 1:15 p.m. PT (FOX)

Week 13: Sun, Dec 2 – San Francisco at St. Louis, 10 a.m. PT (FOX)

Week 14: Sun, Dec 9 – Arizona at Seattle, 1:15 p.m. PT (FOX)

Week 16: Sun, Dec 23 – San Francisco at Seattle, 1:15 p.m. PT (FOX)

Week 17: Sun, Dec 30 – Arizona at San Francisco, 1:15 p.m. PT (FOX)

Week 17: Sun, Dec 30 – St. Louis at Seattle, 1:15 p.m. PT (FOX)

Source:

NFL Scoreboard

Read More: Matt Flynn (QB – SEA), Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams

The 2012 NFL preseason schedule is out for every team, including the NFC West. It should once again be an interesting year in a division that has had more downs than ups in recent years. Preseason should give us a good look at what improvements teams have made, most notably the Seattle Seahawks with the addition of Matt Flynn and snazzy new uniforms.

The Arizona Cardinals officially kick off the NFL season with a matchup against the New Orleans Saints in Canton, Ohio, on Sunday Aug. 5. The St. Louis Rams will take on the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1, giving us a first look at whichever rookie quarterback phenom the Colts select first overall in the 2012 NFL Draft. The San Francisco 49ers and Alex Smith take on the Denver Broncos and Peyton Manning in Week 3 in a matchup that is sure to be awkward for everyone.

It should be noted that the Niners will not be playing the Oakland Raiders in preseason for the first time since 2000, due to the shooting that took place in the parking lot during last year’s game. Here’s the full preseason schedule for the NFC West:

San Francisco 49ers: Minnesota Vikings, at Houston Texans, at Denver Broncos, San Diego Chargers

St. Louis Rams: at Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, at Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens

Seattle Seahawks: Tennessee Titans, at Denver Broncos, at Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders

Arizona Cardinals: New Orleans Saints, at Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, at Tennessee Titans, Denver Broncos

Stay tuned to this StoryStream for more information on the 2012 NFL preseason schedule.

The Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals have seasons that mirror each – an awful beginning and strong finish.

They will meet in their season finale on Sunday, the winner finishing at 8-8, a satisfying result considering what things looked like a couple of months ago.

“It’s enough incentive to be jacked up to end your season with .500 at least,” Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said. “That’s not anywhere near where we wanted to be, but it’s what we have available and we’re going for it. I know that those guys feel the same way. That’s just a natural way for all of us, so it’s going to be a big battle.”

John Skelton, who probably will be back at quarterback for Arizona, said the difference between 7-9 and 8-8 is far more than just one game.

“No one wants to have a losing record going into the offseason,” he said. “It kind of puts a bad taste in your mouth. 8-8 is kind of something to build on for the future.”

Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt reminds his players of what happened in 2007, his first season in Arizona. The Cardinals won their final two to finish 8-8. The next season, Arizona won the NFC West and made it to the Super Bowl.

“No guarantees that if we win this game we are going to the Super Bowl next year, but I do believe that it’s something that you want to do,” he said. “You strive to do that, because you always want to end on a high note and it really propels you into the offseason.”

Seattle was 2-6 after a loss to Dallas on Nov. 6. Arizona was 1-6 after a 30-27 loss at Baltimore on Oct. 30. Seattle won five of six, capped by an impressive 34-14 road win over Chicago, to climb to 7-7. The Cardinals won six of seven, including home wins over Dallas and San Francisco, to hit 7-7 with a 20-17 overtime win at home over Cleveland leaving them 7-7.

The slim playoff hopes of both teams were dashed a week ago when the Seahawks lost at home to NFC West champ San Francisco 19-17 and the Cardinals were beaten at Cincinnati 23-16. That the teams were in it that long is remarkable considering the way they started.

The Cardinals have lived on the edge in nearly every game.

Five of their losses were by seven points or less. They have trailed at the half in all seven of their victories. They have won six of their last eight, three in overtime, the other three by four points, three points and two points. Last week, they trailed the Bengals 23-0 entering the fourth quarter but had a chance to win it late. Wide receiver Early Doucet broke wide open on a fourth-and-five play and was surely headed for a touchdown when he slipped and fell, Skelton’s pass sailing harmlessly over his head.

Slow starts have plagued Arizona all season. Over the last eight games, the Cardinals have been outscored 94-30 in the first two quarters, then have outscored opponents 116-51 in the second half and overtimes. Skelton isn’t sure why he has had so much trouble early in games.

“There are mistakes that even a rookie shouldn’t be making that I’m making out there sometimes. I think it is just consistency,” he said. “We’ll have maybe the first two plays of a drive go well and then the third one someone messes up. Those are the things that we have to eliminate, the mistake here and the mistake there. Eventually those add up and they hurt an offense.”

Kevin Kolb, brought in to be the Cardinals’ franchise quarterback, struggled through the team’s six-game losing streak early in the season, then was sidelined for four games with a right turf toe. He returned and directed the team to a comeback victory over Dallas, only to go down with a concussion when he took a knee to the head on Arizona’s first play the following week against San Francisco.

Skelton came on to lead the team to a 21-19 victory over the 49ers. The second-year pro from Fordham is 4-2 as a starter this season, 5-2 if the San Francisco victory is counted.

The No. 1 challenge for Arizona’s vastly improved defense will be slowing down Marshawn Lynch, who has topped 100 yards rushing in six of his last eight games. But Whisenhunt reminded everyone that he has a pretty good back in Beanie Wells. Lynch has rushed for 1,118 yards and averaged 4.2 yards per carry. Wells, despite a season-long knee problem, has 1,047 yards, picking up 4.3 per attempt.

“If you look at Beanie vs. Marshawn, they’re almost identical statistically,” Whisenhunt said.

The Seahawks led 17-16 entering the fourth quarter last week against San Francisco only to lose on David Akers’ 39-yard field goal with 3:44 to play. Jackson’s fumble on Seattle’s next possession sealed the 49ers’ win.

The Seahawks believe they are a better team than they were a year ago, when their 7-9 record was good enough to win the NFC West, then they stunned New Orleans in the first round of the playoffs.

“Even though we have a similar record as last year, I think we took stuff forward this year – defense, offense, running game, and special teams,” Seattle strong safety Kam Chancellor said. “There are new guys on the team now and we just have to take time to feel each other out and see where we’re going.”

GLENDALE, Ariz. – The Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals have seasons that mirror each — an awful beginning and strong finish.

They will meet in their season finale on Sunday, the winner finishing at 8-8, a satisfying result considering what things looked like a couple of months ago.

“It’s enough incentive to be jacked up to end your season with .500 at least,” Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said. “That’s not anywhere near where we wanted to be, but it’s what we have available and we’re going for it. I know that those guys feel the same way. That’s just a natural way for all of us, so it’s going to be a big battle.”

John Skelton, who probably will be back at quarterback for Arizona, said the difference between 7-9 and 8-8 is far more than just one game.

“No one wants to have a losing record going into the off-season,” he said. “It kind of puts a bad taste in your mouth. 8-8 is kind of something to build on for the future.”

Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt reminds his players of what happened in 2007, his first season in Arizona. The Cardinals won their final two to finish 8-8. The next season, Arizona won the NFC West and made it to the Super Bowl.

“No guarantees that if we win this game we are going to the Super Bowl next year, but I do believe that it’s something that you want to do,” he said. “You strive to do that, because you always want to end on a high note and it really propels you into the off-season.”

Seattle was 2-6 after a loss to Dallas on Nov. 6. Arizona was 1-6 after a 30-27 loss at Baltimore on Oct. 30. Seattle won five of six, capped by an impressive 34-14 road win over Chicago, to climb to 7-7. The Cardinals won six of seven, including home wins over Dallas and San Francisco, to hit 7-7 with a 20-17 overtime win at home over Cleveland leaving them 7-7.

The slim playoff hopes of both teams were dashed a week ago when the Seahawks lost at home to NFC West champ San Francisco 19-17 and the Cardinals were beaten at Cincinnati 23-16. That the teams were in it that long is remarkable considering the way they started.

The Cardinals have lived on the edge in nearly every game.

Five of their losses were by seven points or less. They have trailed at the half in all seven of their victories. They have won six of their last eight, three in overtime, the other three by four points, three points and two points. Last week, they trailed the Bengals 23-0 entering the fourth quarter but had a chance to win it late. Wide receiver Early Doucet broke wide open on a fourth-and-five play and was surely headed for a touchdown when he slipped and fell, Skelton’s pass sailing harmlessly over his head.

Slow starts have plagued Arizona all season. Over the last eight games, the Cardinals have been outscored 94-30 in the first two quarters, then have outscored opponents 116-51 in the second half and overtimes. Skelton isn’t sure why he has had so much trouble early in games.

“There are mistakes that even a rookie shouldn’t be making that I’m making out there sometimes. I think it is just consistency,” he said. “We’ll have maybe the first two plays of a drive go well and then the third one someone messes up. Those are the things that we have to eliminate, the mistake here and the mistake there. Eventually those add up and they hurt an offence.”

Kevin Kolb, brought in to be the Cardinals’ franchise quarterback, struggled through the team’s six-game losing streak early in the season, then was sidelined for four games with a right turf toe. He returned and directed the team to a comeback victory over Dallas, only to go down with a concussion when he took a knee to the head on Arizona’s first play the following week against San Francisco.

Skelton came on to lead the team to a 21-19 victory over the 49ers. The second-year pro from Fordham is 4-2 as a starter this season, 5-2 if the San Francisco victory is counted.

The No. 1 challenge for Arizona’s vastly improved defence will be slowing down Marshawn Lynch, who has topped 100 yards rushing in six of his last eight games. But Whisenhunt reminded everyone that he has a pretty good back in Beanie Wells. Lynch has rushed for 1,118 yards and averaged 4.2 yards per carry. Wells, despite a season-long knee problem, has 1,047 yards, picking up 4.3 per attempt.

“If you look at Beanie vs. Marshawn, they’re almost identical statistically,” Whisenhunt said.

The Seahawks led 17-16 entering the fourth quarter last week against San Francisco only to lose on David Akers’ 39-yard field goal with 3:44 to play. Jackson’s fumble on Seattle’s next possession sealed the 49ers’ win.

The Seahawks believe they are a better team than they were a year ago, when their 7-9 record was good enough to win the NFC West, then they stunned New Orleans in the first round of the playoffs.

“Even though we have a similar record as last year, I think we took stuff forward this year — defence, offence, running game, and special teams,” Seattle strong safety Kam Chancellor said. “There are new guys on the team now and we just have to take time to feel each other out and see where we’re going.”

John Skelton will make his fifth start of the season for the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday as Kevin Kolb will remain out due to a concussion, according to a report.

A league source told ESPN.com the move would be made.

Kolb’s status had been in question, but he had practiced more as the week went on, seemingly building momentum to be ready to play.

Instead, Skelton, who is 3-1 as a starter for Arizona this year, will start and Richard Bartel will serve as his back-up.

Skelton also led the Cardinals to a win when he relieved Kolb last week against the San Francisco 49ers just a few plays in when Kolb took a knee to the head.

Read More: Larry Fitzgerald (WR – ARI), Frank Gore (RB – SFX), Early Doucet (WR – ARI), Beanie Wells (RB – ARI), John Skelton (QB – ARI), Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers

The Arizona Cardinals hosted the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday and were able to walk away with a come-from-behind, 21-19 upset win over the postseason-bound Niners. Here’s a look at some of the key offensive performers that allowed the birds to come away with the victory.

Quarterback John Skelton did give up two interceptions, but was the outstanding passer in the game. While the Arizona defense held the San Francisco to four first-half field goals and a Frank Gore touchdown, Skelton helped keep the Cardinals alive offensively, heaving a 60 yard touchdown pass to Early Doucet midway through the second quarter that actually put Arizona ahead at the time. In all, Skelton contributed directly to all three Arizona scores, which the defense allowed to hold up for the win. Skelton finished the game 19-for-28 with 282 passing yards, three touchdowns, 25 rushing yards and 106.5 passer rating.

Larry Fitzgerald led all receivers in the game with 149 receiving yards on seven catches. He scored a touchdown in the third quarter on a 46 yard pass from Skelton. Andre Roberts also caught a touchdown pass, a three yarder in the fourth quarter that put Arizona on top for good. Roberts only had two catches for eight yards.

The Cardinals chose to focus on the air attack in this game. Skelton was second in Arizona rushing yards behind Beanie Wells, who picked up 27 yards on 15 carries, averaging only 1.8 yards per.

For all news and information regarding the Arizona Cardinals, please visit Revenge of the Birds.

The loss dropped San Francisco (10-3) into a tie with New Orleans for the second-best record in the conference. The top two teams earn a first-round bye.

“We have to be honest with ourselves when we look at the film,” quarterback Alex Smith said. “It is not something we can just dismiss and move on. We are into December now and we have to continue to get better. We just can’t dismiss this. “

John Skelton stepped in for the injured Kevin Kolb and threw for 282 yards and three touchdowns for Arizona (6-7).

Larry Fitzgerald had seven catches for 149 yards, including a 46-yarder for a touchdown and a 53-yarder to set up the go-ahead score. He also had a vicious block that helped free Early Doucet on a 60-yard touchdown reception.

“That’s Fitz being Fitz,” Skelton said.

Arizona has won five of six, with the only loss being at San Francisco on Oct. 20.

Kolb left the game after a blow to the head on Arizona’s third play. Skelton, benched after throwing three interceptions in the Cardinals’ 23-7 loss at San Francisco on Nov. 20, had a 60-yard TD pass to Doucet and a 3-yard toss to Andre Roberts for what proved to be the winning score early in the fourth quarter.

Skelton was able to overcome two interceptions and a lost fumble on Sunday.

San Francisco had the ball inside the Arizona 10-yard three times in the second quarter and came away with only field goals. They also had the ball third-and-1, then fourth-and-1, at the San Francisco 41 with about two minutes to go.

In both cases, passes fell incomplete, the last one after Smith scrambled all over half the field before throwing.

“If you score touchdowns down there, a different game,” Smith said. “The end of the game was disappointing as well. Having a chance to win it and don’t get it done.”

Arizona sacked Smith five times after getting five against Dallas in its 19-13 overtime win over the Cowboys a week earlier. The loss ended a five-game 49ers winning streak in the series.

“I thought we were in position to win this football game really at all times during the game,” coach Jim Harbaugh said. “We didn’t get it done and we are disappointed about that. We look forward to seeing how our team responds to some adversity. We haven’t had a lot of it this year.”

Frank Gore rushed for 72 yards on 10 carries for the NFC West champion 49ers, including a 37-yard touchdown run that put San Francisco ahead 19-7 early in the second half. He broke 1,000 yards rushing for the fifth time in his career, but didn’t do much damage after that.

Smith completed 18 of 37 for 175 yards and no TDs.

The 49ers were without standout inside linebacker Patrick Willis, who missed the second game of his career, because of a right hamstring injury.

A week after clinching the NFC West title, the San Francisco
49ers had trouble holding off the Arizona Cardinals’ second-half
rally.

The 49ers blew a 12-point second-half lead and lost to the
Arizona Cardinals 21-19, just their third defeat of the season and
first against a team that currently has a losing record.

The loss dropped San Francisco (10-3) into a tie with New
Orleans for the second-best record in the conference. The top two
teams earn a first-round bye.

“We have to be honest with ourselves when we look at the film,”
quarterback Alex Smith said. “It is not something we can just
dismiss and move on. We are into December now and we have to
continue to get better. We just can’t dismiss this. `’

John Skelton stepped in for the injured Kevin Kolb and threw for
282 yards and three touchdowns for Arizona (6-7).

Larry Fitzgerald had seven catches for 149 yards, including a
46-yarder for a touchdown and a 53-yarder to set up the go-ahead
score. He also had a vicious block that helped free Early Doucet on
a 60-yard touchdown reception.

“That’s Fitz being Fitz,” Skelton said.

Arizona has won five of six, with the only loss being at San
Francisco on Oct. 20.

Kolb left the game after a blow to the head on Arizona’s third
play. Skelton, benched after throwing three interceptions in the
Cardinals’ 23-7 loss at San Francisco on Nov. 20, had a 60-yard TD
pass to Doucet and a 3-yard toss to Andre Roberts for what proved
to be the winning score early in the fourth quarter.

Skelton was able to overcome two interceptions and a lost fumble
on Sunday.

San Francisco had the ball inside the Arizona 10-yard three
times in the second quarter and came away with only field goals.
They also had the ball third-and-1, then fourth-and-1, at the San
Francisco 41 with about two minutes to go.

In both cases, passes fell incomplete, the last one after Smith
scrambled all over half the field before throwing.

“If you score touchdowns down there, a different game,” Smith
said. “The end of the game was disappointing as well. Having a
chance to win it and don’t get it done.”

Arizona sacked Smith five times after getting five against
Dallas in its 19-13 overtime win over the Cowboys a week earlier.
The loss ended a five-game 49ers winning streak in the series.

“I thought we were in position to win this football game really
at all times during the game,” coach Jim Harbaugh said. “We didn’t
get it done and we are disappointed about that. We look forward to
seeing how our team responds to some adversity. We haven’t had a
lot of it this year.”

Frank Gore rushed for 72 yards on 10 carries for the NFC West
champion 49ers, including a 37-yard touchdown run that put San
Francisco ahead 19-7 early in the second half. He broke 1,000 yards
rushing for the fifth time in his career, but didn’t do much damage
after that.

Smith completed 18 of 37 for 175 yards and no TDs.

The 49ers were without standout inside linebacker Patrick
Willis, who missed the second game of his career, because of a
right hamstring injury.

Still, the 49ers’ defensive players felt they had failed in
areas where they had succeeded almost always this year.

“As a secondary, we felt like it was really on our shoulders and
we lost this football game collectively,” safety Donte Whitner
said. “It doesn’t matter what the offense does, if they can’t get
it in, all we need are field goals. We felt like we let the team
down and we’re going to go back to the drawing board and we’ll be
ready.”

Kolb, in his second start after missing four games with a right
turf toe and bruise on the side of his same foot, was hurt when he
faded to pass and was hit by Justin Smith as he threw. It was one
of two forced fumbles and two sacks for Smith.

The oddest moments of the game came in the second quarter with
San Francisco leading 6-0.

On third-and-7, Skelton scrambled for a first down but, on a hit
by Smith, fumbled the ball and San Francisco recovered at its 47.
The 49ers moved to the Arizona 40, where Akers lined up for a
50-yard field goal attempt. But it was a fake, with holder Andy Lee
tossing to backup center Jonathan Goodwin, lined up as a tight end,
for the apparent score.

The whistle blew mid-play, though, with Arizona challenging the
previous play, a pass from Alex Smith to Kyle Williams. But the
replay system wasn’t working, and the play had to be repeated. This
time, Akers’ 50-yard attempt was wide right, his first miss from 50
and beyond in seven tries this season.

The next play, Skelton threw over the middle to Doucet, and with
the help of Fitzgerald’s block, he raced 60 yards for the score and
Arizona led 7-6 with 7:10 left in the half.

The 49ers responded with a 10-play, 69-yard drive, but again
stalled deep in Arizona territory. Akers’ 27-yard field goal put
the 49ers back on top 9-7 with 1:58 to play.

Notes: Fitzgerald is the eighth player in NFL history to top
1,000 yards receiving in six of his first eight seasons. … For
the second week in a row, all five Arizona sacks were by different
players. … Dashon Goldson left the game with a hip injury on the
play Fitzgerald scored. … San Francisco lost starting left Joe
Staley in the first quarter with a head injury.

Read More: Arizona Cardinals

After Kevin Kolb left the game with a head injury after their first offensive series, John Skelton and the Arizona Cardinals defense upset the San Francisco 49ers 21-19. It was their fifth win in their last six games and kept their playoff hopes alive. 

Kolb was kneed in the back of the helmet by 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks on a play in which he was blindsided as he was trying to make a throw. He fumbled on the play, but the Cardinals recovered, and Kolb left the game, never to return.

The first half was, except for one offensive play, complete domination by the 49ers. The Cardinals only had the ball on offense for just over seven minutes of the possible 30. It seemed that the entire half was played on the Cardinals side of the field. Two first quarter field goals gave the Niners a 6-0 lead. 

The Cardinals did get one huge jolt of momentum in the second quarter. After a third down reception by Kyle Williams that was short of a first down, San Francisco lined up for a 50-yard field goal. They ran a fake and completed a pass that would have been for a first down, but the play was called dead because Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt had thrown his challenge flag to contest the catch. Because of an equipment malfunction, there was no replay available, so they did not get charged a time out and retain their challenge. The call would have been upheld, but it eliminated the fake play.

On the ensuing field goal attempt, David Akers missed wide right, so they gave the ball back to Arizona.

On the very next play, John Skelton hit Early Doucet in stride for a 60-yard touchdown that gave the Cards a 7-6 lead.

Two more field goals by Akers in the second quarter had the 49ers leading 12-7 at the half. 

It is notable, though, that one of the biggest plays of the game was a special teams tackle by Rashad Johnson in the first quarter. Ted Ginn returned a punt and got past the first wave of coverage and looked like he was going to score. Long snapper Mike Leach closed the running lane and forced Ginn back toward the middle of the field, where Johnson made the stop inside the five-yard line. The defense held them to a field goal. 

The feeling was that falling behind 10-0 would have been insurmountable.

The second half was a completely different story. 

It didn’t start that way, though. 

San Francisco scored on a 37-yard Frank Gore touchdown run on their first play in the second half to make the score 19-7. The Niners would not score again. 

The next possession for the Cardinals began the turnaround. They went six plays and 80 yards to score a touchdown to pull within 19-14. It was a bad pass from Skelton that looked like was going to be intercepted by San Francisco’s Dashon Goldson, but Larry Fitzgerald jumped in front of him, took the ball away and ran after the catch for a 46 yard score. 

Arizona forced the 49ers to punt after three plays on the next series, and Arizona moved the ball enough to flip field position, as a punt had San Fran starting at their own 10. They would have another three-and-out.

The next possession could have been disastrous. Skelton threw an interception, but the Arizona defense forced another punt. 

Skelton and the Cardinals offense went 78 yards on six plays in the fourth quarter and scored on a three-yard reception by Andre Roberts. That gave the Cardinals their final lead at 21-19. 

From there, the defense shut down the Niners. San Francisco did not get another first down the rest of the way. They had two more three-and-outs and turned the ball over on downs with the final drive.

Skelton finished the game 19/28 for 282 yards, three TDs and two picks. Larry Fitzgerald led the team in receptions and yards. He had seven catches for 149 yards and a score, and he surpassed 1000 yards on the season. It is the fourth straight year he has done so and the fifth time in his career.

Running the ball was difficult. Beanie Wells rushed 15 times for only 27 yards. 

The defense kept Frank Gore in check. He ran for only 72 yards, but 37 of those came on his scoring run. Alex Smith threw for only 175 yards and Arizona sacked him five times. 

Darnell Dockett and Adrian Wilson had great games, as they made plays all over the field. 

The Cardinals are now 6-7 on the season and, with three winnable games left on the schedule, have fans believing that the playoffs are really a possibility. 

Head on over to Revenge of the Birds to get more Cardinals coverage.

Read More: Kerry Rhodes (S – ARI), Chansi Stuckey (WR – ARI), Joey Porter (LB – ARI), Moran Norris (FB – SFX), D’Anthony Batiste (OT – ARI), Patrick Willis (LB – SFX), Jaymar Johnson (WR – ARI), Daniel Kilgore (G – SFX), Ian Williams (DT – SFX), Mike Person (G – SFX), Scott Tolzien (QB – SFX), Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, St. Louis Rams

As the Arizona Cardinals get set to host their division rival San Francisco 49ers at University of Phoenix Stadium, they will be without the services of a couple of important pieces to their defense in Kerry Rhodes and Joey Porter. 

The Cardinals will be without a few players this week, highlighted by linebacker Joey Porter and safety Kerry Rhodes, who both made their return to practice this week dealing with knee and foot injuries respectfully. Wide receivers Chansi Stuckey Bartel, Stephen Williams and Jaymar Johnson will not be suiting up for Arizona either,  neither will offensive tackle D’Anthony Batiste.

For the 49ers, they will be without All-Pro linebacker Patrick Willis who suffered a hamtrain strain early in their last game against the St. Louis Rams. San Francisco will also be without  QB Scott Tolzien, WR Brett Swain, FB Moran Norris,  offensive guards Daniel Kilgore and Mike Person and defensive tackle Ian Williams. 

For more in depth discussion and analysis on the Cardinals, head over to Revenge of the Birds to get your fix. 

Nov. 20, 2011 – San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith (11) is pressured by Arizona Cardinals defensive end Nick Eason.

More on this topic

Cardinals 19, Cowboys 13 (OT) | Box score

UP NEXT: 49ers (10-2) at Cardinals (5-7)
When: Sunday @ 2:05 p.m. | Full 2011 schedule | Fans
Where: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale
TV: Channel 10 (Dick Stockton, John Lynch)
Radio KTAR 92.3 (Dave Pasch, Ron Wolfley)
Spanish: KBMB 710 AM (Gabriel Trujillo, Rolandu Cantu)
Roof hotline: 623-433-ROOF (7663)
Notes: The 49ers defeated the Cardinals 23-7 on Nov. 20 in San Francisco… the 49ers have clinched NFC West Division, as they lead by five games with four games to play… since 2004, one of these teams has swept the season series. In 2004, ’07, ’09, ’10, in was the 49ers who swept the Cardinals; in 2005, ’06, ’08, it was the Cardinals who swept.

More Cardinals with Kent Somers

NFL power rankings – Week 14

Arizona Cardinals update:

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.

San Francisco plays in low gear. The 49ers love to run, throw safe passes and gradually win the field position game with superior defense and punting. It’s a grinding way to play, and the Cardinals lost the game within a game three weeks ago in San Francisco.

The Cardinals had 12 possessions in that game and started, on average, at their 23-yard line. Only twice did they open drives outside their 20-yard line and that was at their 36 and 39.

The 49ers, on average, started at their 38, an advantage of 15 yards. Due mostly to Cardinals turnovers, they started drives at the Arizona 38, 26, 37 and 31.

The Cardinals were indeed fortunate that they only yielded 23 points.it took an excellent defensive performance and San Francisco kicker David Akers missing three field goals (including two blocks).

As coach Ken Whisenhunt mentioned on Wednesday, the main thing the Cardinals need to do Sunday that they didn’t do three weeks ago is hang on to the ball. Quarterback John Skelton was terribly off that day, completing 6 of 19 passes with three interceptions. Beanie Wells lost a fumble.

The Cardinals will need more out of its quarterback position on Sunday than just ball security. In the game three weeks ago, the Cardinals believe they had pass plays open early, throws that were low in degree of difficulty. Skelton looked nervous early, and his passes sailed over receivers’ heads.

Kolb needs to complete those passes. He and his teammates, as well as coaches, must be aware of the first-down markers at all times. First downs will be at a premium in this game.

The Cardinals need to maintain patience on offense. First downs will be at a premium, and the Cardinals need to concentrate on getting one or two, at least, when deep in their territory. Cardinals punter Dave Zastudil is having a solid season and has been especially effective over the past month. But he’s also punted in or near the end zone far too often in that time.

Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 10:20 AM

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Arizona quarterback John Skelton dropped back to pass, slipped
on the wet turf at Candlestick Park and fell to the ground without
a defender around him as the ball popped out of his hands.

At least he recovered the fumble.

Not much else went right for the Cardinals, who committed five
turnovers _ three from Skelton _ and didn’t cross midfield until
late in the third quarter of a 23-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers
on Sunday.

“Obviously not a very good day for us in a lot of areas,”
Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt said. “It was a tough day for a lot of
us. We didn’t get the job done.”

Especially the quarterback.

Skelton, who led the Cardinals to wins as the starter in the
team’s previous two games, completed only 6 of 19 for 99 yards, 45
of which came on a 45-yard completion to Andre Roberts midway
through the third quarter when Arizona finally made it past the
50-yard line.

Two plays later, Skelton was picked off by Dashon Goldson, one
of three interceptions thrown by the Cardinals’ second-year starter
who was then replaced by third-string quarterback Richard
Bartel.

So much for that budding quarterback controversy.

“It was one of those days where nothing seems to go right,” said
Skelton, who had a meager 10.5 passer rating.

“(The 49ers) got us with a few of the coverages but at the same
time they gave us some stuff and I just didn’t hit it. Just more
frustrating than anything.”

About the only thing Arizona did well was keep 49ers kicker
David Akers out of the 49ers record books. The Cardinals blocked
two of Akers’ six field goal attempts while a third miss sailed
wide right.

But with five turnovers, including one on special teams, Arizona
fell behind early and never recovered.

Patrick Willis, Donte Whitner and Goldson all intercepted passes
by Skelton. The quarterback for the Cardinals (3-7) lost for the
first time in three starts this season in place of the injured
Kevin Kolb.

Whisenhunt was critical of his young quarterback, who was
replaced by Richard Bartel at the start of the fourth quarter.

Skelton could still start for Arizona next week against the St.
Louis Rams if Kolb’s injured right foot isn’t healed.

“Wrong reads, bad throws, bad decisions,” Whisenhunt said. “John
played like a rookie today, and that’s tough. The very first pass
of the game he takes an incorrect drop. That throws the timing off
and he sails it over the receiver’s head. Those are things you
can’t do.”

His counterpart, Alex Smith, didn’t have any such issues.

Smith threw for 267 yards and tossed scores to Kyle Williams and
Vernon Davis on the first two drives of the third quarter to help
the 49ers pull away for their eighth straight victory.

San Francisco (9-1) can clinch the NFC West with a win at
Baltimore on Thursday and a loss by Seattle against Washington next
weekend.

With a chilly rainstorm pelting the Bay Area since Saturday, the
49ers’ defense bullied and bruised Arizona all over a slick
field.

The Cardinals converted only two first downs in the first
half.

Once the rain subsided and a rainbow formed on the north side of
Candlestick, the 49ers finally opened up an otherwise passive
passing game.

Smith connected with Williams on a route to the near pylon in
the third quarter. Williams stretched over the goal line as he was
tackled to complete the 8-yard TD catch.

After Skelton sailed a pass that Whitner stood under for an easy
interception, Smith rallied San Francisco for another quick
score.

He found Davis for an 18-yard touchdown to put San Francisco
ahead 23-0. The tight end jumped over sideline cameramen and flexed
his muscles to a rain-soaked crowd covered in ponchos and umbrellas
in celebration.

Far too much for Arizona’s anemic offense to overcome.

Skelton had won the previous two games against St. Louis and
Philadelphia since replacing Kolb, who’s out with a right foot and
toe injury. He was benched after throwing his third interception _
the last to Goldson over the middle on a pass intended for Larry
Fitzgerald.

“I put myself in that situation having three interceptions and
not a very good day passing,” Skelton said. “Coach felt a change
should have been made and rightfully so. I didn’t play up to
par.”

Even Bartel’s only highlight came on a shaky pass between two
defenders that landed in Fitzgerald’s hands for a 23-yard touchdown
for Arizona’s lone score. The Cardinals dropped their fifth
straight to the 49ers.

About the only fight Arizona showed came in the fourth quarter
when Early Doucet appeared to hit Goldson after the defensive back
sacked Bartel. Goldson came up and threw two punches to Doucet’s
shoulder pads and facemask, getting a 15-yard personal foul penalty
and an ejection.

“That’s how it always is in a rivalry,” Cardinals defensive
tackle Darnell Dockett said. “You just try not to get caught doing
it. You try not to put your team in a situation that it’s going to
hurt them.”

San Francisco outgained Arizona 431 to 229 yards. The 49ers also
held the ball for more than 44 minutes and even got away with three
missed field goals and a slowed-down running game.

Frank Gore started despite a right knee injury that knocked him
out of a win over the New York Giants a week earlier, finishing
with 88 yards rushing. He needs 61 more to pass Joe Perry (7,344)
for San Francisco’s career rushing mark.

Sunday | 2:05 p.m. | Candlestick Park, San Francisco

TV: Channel 10 (Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick); Radio: 92.3 KTAR-FM (Dave Pasch, Ron Wolfley), 710 KBMB-AM (Gabriel Trujillo, Rolando Cantu).

Noteworthy: Since joining the NFC West in 2002, the Cardinals are 7-11 vs. San Francisco… the Cardinals have swept the season series three times (2005, 2006, 2008) and have been swept four times (2004, 2007, 2009, 2010)… the teams will meet again in Glendale on Dec. 11.

The Arizona Republic