Reporting from spa-side in Santa Ana, it's your American Football Spectacular preview of the next rung of pain on the agony ladder that is the 49ers' '07 season.

* San Francisco vs. Arizona
Sunday, November 25, 2007. 1:00 PM, PST.
Week 12
The Trend Battle

The 2007 NFL season was the one before-which all the self-appointed experts abandoned the Arizona Cardinals as a franchise to break out and make a push for the NFC West title. For the past two years with the wacky Denny Green as Head Coach, the Cards were supposed to make a push. Both times, they burned and failed in a way that was both memorable and banal.

In 2007, based on the strong finish of their '06 season, the Niners were the popular pick to challenge the Seahawks. Lord knows we picked 'em to move up.

But they didn't, they haven't -- and this season -- they won't.

2007 is a flaming wreck strewn with busted expectations for the 2-'n-8 Niners. Now last year's sleepers are making their move.