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Niners break eight game losing streak
By Pearl Allison Lo November 25, 2007 |
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A 5-yard difference on a delay of game field goal for the Arizona Cardinals may have cost them the game Sunday, as a fumble recovery in the end zone lead the San Francisco 49ers to a 37-31 victory over their division opponent. It was their 2nd win over the Cardinals this season and may be a sign of things to come. Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner’s mistakes cost him, spoiling his 34 of 48 for 464 yards and 2 TD performance. SF quarterback Trent Dilfer had amazing support and a great performance as well, going 25 of 39 for 256 yards and 2 TDs also. It was an action-filled game as both participants went into their first overtime game for this season. The Niners’ Frank Gore finally got and went well beyond his 1st 100-yard game as he rushed for 116 yards and 2 TDs and caught 11 passes for 98 yards. The turnover battle was won by the 49ers by far as Arizona had no takeaways this game after getting 10 their previous 2 games. Cardinals’ kicker Neil Rackers made a 27-yard field goal in overtime that would have sealed the game for Arizona, but due to a delay of game penalty at 7:05, they were forced to move 5 yards back. Rackers kicked the ball again, and it went outside the uprights. It took one more SF possession and then once the Cardinals got the ball back, they received another penalty. On the next play, Warner lost the football and the Niners’ Tully Banta-Cain recovered for the score and the win at 5:02. . Arizona struck first in the game as they converted on a 28-yard pass to Larry Fitzgerald 1st possession at 10:37 to make the score 6-0. SF had 3 consecutive scoring possessions afterwards. Dilfer scrambled to a 1st down on 3rd and 8 then was sacked immediately after. Later, he converted on 3rd and 11. The same possession, the Niners got their 1st TD since November 4, by way of a 2-yard catch to Vernon Davis at 0:41 in the 1st quarter. That made the score 6-7. Michael Lewis’s 51-yard punt return helped lead SF to score for the 2nd straight time with a 19-yard field goal by Joe Nedney at 11:24 in the 2nd quarter. This made the score 10-7. Then Nate Clements forced a fumble which was recovered by Mark Roman. Dilfer was sacked right after but Frank Gore followed it up with an 11-yard TD run at 10:29. Arizona’s 1st possession totaled 92 yards with their next 4 possessions totaling 21 yards. However they fought their way back. Former 49er quarterback Tim Rattay came in for one snap at 6:12 and a 1-yard TD run by Marcel Shipp ensued. It was 14-17. Rackers then missed a 55-yard FG but 6’3” Larry Fitzgerald caught a 48-yard hail mary in the end zone with 2 seconds to go before the half . Fitzgerald’s jumping catch tied the score at 31 apiece. He added to his terrific play of late with 156 yards and 2 TDs by the end of the game. In the 3rd quarter, Dilfer threw for the longest SF play this season, at 57 yards, when he threw a TD to Arnaz Battle. The Niners avoided their 1st 9-game losing streak in about 30 years and so far, a losing season. Arizona fell short on their quest for their 1st 3-game win streak in 5 years. Game notes: After 6 consecutive losses for both San Francisco and the Oakland Raiders, they finally won on the same day. The Cardinals’ last overtime game was in 2004 also against the 49ers. Arizona was 2-0 against the 49ers last season. Mark Green’s had his 2nd sack of the season. Walt Harris had 2 interceptions! 37 points is the most the 49ers have scored all season so far. The 49ers are 9-1 when RB Frank Gore has 20+ carries. |
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