(By Daisy Barringer)
This Sunday, the 8-1 San Francisco 49ers meet NFC West division rivals the 3-6 Arizona Cardinals. Last night my friend Meredith (bless her heart) asked, “Is there any way we can root for the Cardinals in this game?” So obviously, I drop kicked her and then returned to my glass of wine. Okay, not really. Instead, I rolled my eyes and said, “The answer to that question is never going to change: No. NO NO NO NO NO. Just because you love the Cardinals because they practice in the heat does not mean we root for them. Ever."
Yes, people. These are actual conversations I have with my friends and also why I think I’m an incredibly patient and good person.
(I had a therapist in high school who said my high self-esteem was actually a result of overcompensating for my low self-esteem, but I think he was just jealous because I was super popular. That’s totally how therapy works, dontcha know?)
Anyway. The Niners and the Cardinals are facing off for the first time this season, and it’s gonna be good. For some reason, even when the Cardinals suck, they always play us hard. It’s annoying, for sure; but it's fact. So let's see how we’re going to beat those bitches. (Sorry, Brock, but they are bitches. Calling them “"wimps" just sounds Well, you're a smart guy. You get it. See what I did there? Flattery gets your cuss words on SFist. True.)
The Bad
Larry Fitzgerald. There’s no one who doesn’t think (so many negatives—what does that even mean?) that Fitzgerald will probably be the best receiver in the game (I have commitment problems—like I can’t even choose between Coke and Pepsi; why should my writing be any different?)
Will the Cardinals load up against the run? If the Cardinals take a page from the Giants’ playbook, the 49ers will be forced to throw the ball. Luckily for us, Alex Smith showed he can do just that. Still it’d be nice (nice?) if we had the option to do both.
Frank Gore. He says he’s healthy, but
The forecast in SF calls for rain. It’s unlikely the Niner Faithful will come out for what’s supposed to be an easy win if it’s cold and rainy. That’s because, as awesome as the fans were last week, 49ers fans are still kind of soft. Sorry, but it’s true.
Everyone’s saying this will be an win. Arizona’s not playing for anything but pride (or draft picks if they were smart), so don’t expect them to go down without a fight. Which is to say, trap game, people.
The Good
The Cardinals suck. Seriously.
Arizona has one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL. Their run defense isn’t too great either (21st).
The same stuff that’s always good: Our D, our special teams, running game, coaching, NINER FOOTBALL.
The Rest of It
Look. We have this. If the 49ers play conservatively (the way they have been playing) and don’t get too confident, there’s no reason we shouldn’t dismantle the struggling Cardinals. We have a seven game winning streak at stake. The Cardinals have nothing.
San Francisco vs. Arizona: Sunday, November 20th at 1:05 p.m. on FOX 2.
