If they didn’t before, the San Francisco 49ers certainly have my full attention now. How could they not after that win over the New York Giants? All season I’ve been waiting for that one game where Alex Smith proves to be their undoing. Now I’m starting to think that game just might not come.
In Arizona there continues to be a couple of players who shine and stand out amongst yet another disappointing season. When the most excitement a fan gets out of a season is a potential quarterback controversy involving Kevin Kolb and John Skelton you know things aren’t good.
One could forgive the 49ers for looking ahead to the upcoming “Harbaugh Bowl” on Thanksgiving night. However, the Cardinals feel that this is a true rivalry game and that means the records are meaningless. If the 49ers do decide to overlook a divisional foe they may find themselves heading to Baltimore licking their wounds on a short week. So with that all in mind, let’s take a look at the three key areas to focus on in this NFC West matchup.
Calais Campbell vs Mike Iupati and Joe Staley
This game features our three highest graded 3-4 defensive ends so far this season. It’s a position where the players just don’t receive the attention they deserve, except from our good selves here at PFF of course. Only two players have a higher grade at the position in terms of rushing the passer than Arizona’s Calais Campbell (+17.9). So far this year, he has generated six sacks, seven hits and 16 pressures. Campbell plays almost exclusively on the right hand side of the Cardinals' defense, meaning that it will be up to Joe Staley (-9.5) and Mike Iupati (+0.9) to try and slow him down this week. Staley has struggled as a pass blocker so far this year as he’s allowed five sacks, four hits and 14 pressures to go along with a total of six penalties. At left guard, Iupati has struggled against the run (-3.9) but hasn’t given up a single pressure at all over the last three weeks. Expect Campbell to put that mark to the test that this week.
Larry Fitzgerald vs Carlos Rogers and Tarell Brown
Is there any wide receiver in the league doing more while coping with poor quarterback play? After dealing with Derek Anderson last season, Larry Fitzgerald has been better prepared for what has come in 2011. Currently averaging 17.6 yards per catch and 5.6 yards after the catch, Fitzgerald (+9.6) has put together an incredible season despite being the Cardinals' only consistent offensive weapon. In San Francisco, the free agent pick up of the year has been corner back Carlos Rogers. So far this season Rogers (+10.9) has given up just the one touchdown to go along with a completion percentage of 56.7%. What really jumps out here is that when you take a closer look he has broken up six passes and intercepted five more. Watching Rogers try and do all this against Fitzgerald on Sunday will be one of the game's key matchups. While it’s up for debate how much success Fitzgerald will have against Rogers, you’d expect him to have his way with Tarell Brown on the other side. Brown (-0.8) hasn’t had anywhere near the season of his teammate, giving up 63% of passes thrown into his coverage for an average of 15.8 yards per catch with three touchdowns. These are numbers that will have Fitzgerald licking his chops.
Some Of The Best The NFL Has To Offer
For years everyone has looked to the Pittsburgh Steelers as the flag bearers in terms of 3-4 linebackers. Not in 2011. In San Francisco, the worst graded linebacker to see significant playing time is Parys Haralson (+4.0). In terms of rushing the passer they have Aldon Smith (+10.7) and Ahmad Brooks (+9.8) who have combined for 66 total sacks, hits and quarterback pressures between the two of them. Now we come to the cream of the crop for the defense with the inside linebackers. NaVorro Bowman (+14.6) comes into this game with the fourth-highest grade against the run of any middle or inside linebacker in the league. His 42 stops are tied for the lead at the position with the Browns D’Qwell Jackson. Finally we have a guy who you may have heard of before in Patrick Willis (+23.2). Willis is our highest-graded player at middle or inside linebacker. He has been close to flawless this year with a positive grade in all three phases of his game, not to mentione he's yet to commit a penalty and has broken up seven passes. In fact, the only blemish of his season is the two touchdowns he has given up in coverage. It’s safe to say this is the league’s most complete unit and I fully expect them to continue to deliver on Sunday.
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