NFL Week 12 Monday Night Preview: San Francisco 49ers vs Arizona Cardinals

Somehow, neither of these two underachieving teams is out of the NFC Division race. Although many are expecting a bit of a clunker, this game could surprise many and end up being an extremely entertaining contest.

There are plenty of superstars on the field when the 49ers and Cardinals take center stage on Monday Night Football to close out Week 12 of the NFL season.

Larry Fitzgerald and Frank Gore are two of the elite members at their respective positions. Both are two of the most determined players in the league and will certainly put on a show with all eyes watching them on prime time.

Although both teams are 3-7, whoever wins will be just one game out of first place in the putrid NFC West division as St. Louis and Seattle are both 5-6.

Take your pick at quarterback.

Both Troy Smith and Derek Anderson come from the AFC North division to the NFC West to play for the second teams of their careers. Anderson has shown more promise in the past but he has been too inconsistent and inaccurate to remain a starting quarterback. In 10 games this season, Anderson has completed just 53.7 percent of his passes for 1776 yards, seven touchdowns and eight interceptions.

It is good to see Troy Smith getting a chance to start for the 49ers as Alex Smith nurses a shoulder injury. Smith is the more athletic and accurate quarterback of the two. More importantly, he has a better supporting cast around him. Anderson has shown the tendency to turn the ball more over than Smith in the past. In three games, Smith has thrown for 700 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions while rushing for a score.

Both are looking to redeem themselves after poor Week 11 performances. I expect them both to come out focused and prepared.

Vernon Davis broke out last season but always had the skills necessary to succeed. A big, strong target with great speed, leaping ability and hands, Davis is the ideal target for any quarterback at the tight end position. Davis has been hobbled by an ankle injury but will not keep him out of this divisional match-up. Entering the game, Davis has caught 38 passes for 516 yards and four touchdowns.

Davis faces a difficult match-up as both Kerry Rhodes and Adrian Wilson are two of the better safeties in the entire NFL. Davis has a size advantage, but the veteran safety duo has the athleticism to counter Davis’ advantage.

Larry Fitzgerald is clearly the X-Factor for the Arizona Cardinals. Derek Anderson needs to get Fitzgerald involved early and often. Fitzgerald is arguably the most gifted receiver in the league. Similar to Jerry Rice as Fitzgerald isn’t the fastest of the pack, he has incredible leaping ability, body control and hand-eye coordination. His soft hands and ability to reach the ball at its highest point in the air makes him a prime target in the NFL. Fitzgerald has caught 55 passes for 691 yards and five touchdowns in a down season.

The 49ers boast a quality wide receiver of their own. Sophomore Michael Crabtree has been affected by poor quarterback play all season. The diva who once declared himself not-a-diva, has been visibly frustrated this season. Crabtree came in late last season after a holdout and performed well, displaying fantastic skills as a possession receiver. Crabtree was expected to explode in his second season but quarterback woes have stunted his production. For the year, Crabtree has 36 receptions for 461 yards and four touchdowns.

This game could very well come down to the rushing attack. The 49ers have one of the best backs in the league. Frank Gore is the X-Factor each and every week for the 49ers as the offense runs through Gore. Gore can do everything. He can power up the middle, cut to the outside and catch out of the backfield. He is a head coaches' and quarterbacks'

dream as he is one of the most reliable running backs in the league. Gore has rushed for 801 yards and three touchdowns while catching 46 passes for 452 yards and two touchdowns. The Arizona rush defense has been suspect all season and Gore should have his way throughout the night.

The Cardinals' main issue this season has been the inconsistency of their rushing offense. Chris ‘Beanie’ Wells started the season injured and has yet to find his groove. Tim Hightower showed promise in Wells’ absence but fumbling issues cost his team. Wells is finally starting to get healthy.

The Cardinals need to open the passing attack by relying on the running game to pick up chunks of yards on first and second down. The Cardinals’ running backs have the ability to catch out of the backfield and make defenders miss, which is something they will need to do against the 49ers closing defense. 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis is the best in the league though and will be on the prowl from sideline to sideline. If the Cardinals’ backs can somehow avoid this monster in the middle, they have a great chance to rebound at home.

As both teams look to get back on the right track and in the thick of the NFC West division race, expect a high scoring and hard hitting affair. These two teams have some of the premier players in the league on both sides of the ball.

In such a tossup of a division game, the safest bet seems to go with Larry Fitzgerald and his Arizona Cardinals at home in front of their home crowd with the extra day of rest. Fitzgerald will be double teamed but has the skills to counter the 49ers’ attempts. Expect an exciting night game with the lights shining bright on two teams with nothing to lose.