Arizona Cardinals look to take lead back in NFC West as San Francisco 49ers visit – NFL Preview
Arizona Cardinals’ impressive 4-0 start to the season gave them lead in National Football Conference (NFC) West, but their ensuing three defeats snatched that honour from them, allowing San Francisco 49ers to gain the lead.
Now that both teams are scheduled to play each other in Week 8 at University of Phoenix Stadium, Cardinals are hoping to get that lead back.
Cardinals cannot get the sole lead in the division, though. They are 4-3 and currently placed at second spot in the division, while 49ers are leading it at 5-2.
If Cardinals win the game, both Cardinals and 49ers will get atop the division at 5-3. Moreover, if Seattle Seahawks also win their Week 8 game, they, too, will get atop NFC West.
Cardinals are desperate to get a win so as to end their losing streak. However, they must improve their offensive performance if they want to get consistent victories. Total reliance on defence is not going to help the Cards.
Cardinals will start this game with quarterback John Skelton, who is hoping to get the best use of the opportunity. However, that is not going to be easy because he is up against one of the best defensive sides in the league.
Although 49ers recently got a stunning defeat against New York Giants, there is no denying that they have all the talent to stop even the best offences in the league.
Furthermore, 49ers offence is also very good. Quarterback Alex Smith did not have very good last couple of games, but he still can cause troubles for Cardinals because of the players around him.
Running back Frank Gore is in top form. He performed amazingly well in the last week’s victory over Seattle Seahawks. Furthermore, Smith has got many good players at receiving end of his throws, giving him a number of options to get any playing drive going.
Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt has acknowledged that 49ers have good team. He said:
“All of the teams in the NFC West have a defence that’s strong, that’s very physical. That’s a great quality for our division to show to the rest of the league. I know that it will be a physical game on Monday night. It always is when we play the 49ers.”
Appreciating 49ers’ running game, Whisenhunt said:
“It seems to me they run the ball on everybody. It doesn’t matter who it is, they’ve done a nice job. They’ve got a good scheme, they’re well-coached. I’ve watched Frank Gore for a number of years and have great respect for him as a player.”
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