49ers-Cardinals: San Francisco Closes on Arizona, Crabtree Has Coming Out Party

With Monday's victory over the division leading Arizona Cardinals, the San Francisco 49ers did more than keep their playoff hopes alive. They also swept the season series against the Cardinals, a tie-breaker which could prove critical if the 49ers can gain some more ground over the coming weeks.

It is unlikely—though not impossible—for a Wild Card team to emerge from the NFC West. So if San Francisco is to get into the postseason, they will need to catch the Cardinals and win the Division.

That's trouble for tomorrow, though. For today, there is plenty to be happy about in last night's win—and plenty to still work on.

Michael Crabtree Has Arrived

It is unbelievably hard not to play "what if" with the rookie wide receiver from Texas Tech. In just eight games, Crabtree has amassed 37 catches and 473 yards.

'What if' he had made it to camp? In a somewhat cloudy Offensive Rookie of the Year group, it's not hard to imagine he'd be somewhere at the front of the pack—if not outright leading it.

Crabtree has been playing very, very well. Last night he did what has become commonplace for him since he started playing—he just did it in front of a Monday Night Football audience.

Many players—and not just rookies—have wilted under the bright lights onf Monday Night. Not Crabtree.

He stepped up and played very well, making some tough catches—including a great reach on his touchdown reception in the second quarter.

That play showcased all that the team had hoped to see from Crabtree when he was selected with the 10th pick of the 2009 NFL Draft.

The great hands. The balance to recover from having to extend and grab a pass just off the mark. The ability to pick up yards after the catch.

He's been doing it all since he signed. Now he's done it on a national stage.

Frank Gore + Carries = Wins

49ers' formula for winning: SF is 5-0 this season when Frank Gore gets more than 15 carries and 0-6 when he doesn't (DNP in 2 games). @adam_schefter on Twitter

Guess how many times Gore ran last night?

This is not to say the 49ers shouldn't throw the ball. With Alex Smith playing well (save maybe for last night—more on that in a minute) and Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree stepping up, this is a team which can pass effectively.

However, as well as this passing offense has been playing, they are not built to get into a shootout.

Frank Gore isn't just some second stringer who is getting a chance to show his stuff and hold the fort until next draft. He's a top shelf back who when healthy is one of the better backs in the league.

When he carries the ball 15-20 times, more often than not he is doing so effectively which in turn allows the Niners to salt the clock away while moving across the field and into a position to put points on the board.

To reinforce that point, last night Gore compiled 167 yards on 25 carries.

Gore can run the rock, catch and block in pass protection. Early in the season, you might worry that carrying the ball too much might wear him down at season's end.

That's not a concern any more. This time of the season—with so much on the line—you need to run him early and often. 

Dashon Goldson Steps Up

Not too long ago, 49er fans were looking towards the 2010 Draft and feeling that with a little luck, a defensive back like USC's Taylor Mays could be there for them when they picked.

Do they need him?

I first met Goldson in Los Angeles when he was working out with other NFL players at Elite Athletics. His work ethic and technique impressed me then and I've been waiting for him to put it all together.

He's been slowly doing so this year.

He isn't accumulating interceptions at a furious rate and he's not the lock down corner that the New York Jets' Darrelle Revis has become. Still, Goldson does a good job of covering his assignment, isn't afraid to hit someone and when he does, doesn't forget to wrap the ball-carrier up.

With portions of the secondary aging or constantly banged up, Goldson has stepped up and played very well. Last night's stat-line of five tackles, one assist, an interception and two forced fumbles is indicative of the hard play he's been bringing to the table for most of the season.

Will the real Alex Smith Please Stand Up?

Alex Smith was doing so well, too. The last three games saw Smith turn the ball over just once while throwing for seven touchdowns while throwing for 769 yards.

Last night he threw a pair of interceptions to go with a pair of touchdowns.

Matt Maiocco of the Press Democrat put it best on Twitter post game: If #49ers QB Alex Smith doesn't get credit for playing well in a loss, does he receive extra credit for being so-so in a victory?

Smith has been accumulating supporters over the last few weeks—and deservedly so.

However, protecting the ball has been an issue for far longer than one game or one season. Last night merely reminds us that Smith is still a work in progress, albeit one who seems to finally be finding his legs.

Perhaps part of the problem last night was the National stage. As mentioned earlier, some players shine under those Monday night lights while some wilt.

Smith didn't do either really, but when the game began, Smith looked like he was pressing. He appeared too keyed up to put enough touch on the ball, instead hammering some of his throws home and overthrowing on occasion.

It was a big game for Smith as much as anyone else on the team—given his struggles since being drafted, perhaps the stakes were even bigger for him.

If he's going to lead this team to the promised land though, the stakes will always be big.

Smith has just a few games to prove that he can handle those stakes.