Cardinals vs. 49ers: How the San Francisco 49ers Can Avoid a Letdown

On the surface this seems like a major mismatch. You have the 8-1 San Francisco 49ers, who have won seven consecutive games, taking on a pedestrian Arizona Cardinals team. All indicators point to the 49ers dominating Arizona at home in front of what promises to be another pumped-up crowd. 

First-year head coach Jim Harbaugh is leading a team to mistake-free and passionate football over the course of the last two months. Alex Smith is playing the best ball of his career, the offensive line has improved a great deal and they boast the league's best scoring and rush defense. 

On the other hand, Arizona is coming off a two-game winning streak against less than-stellar-competition and brings with them pretty much the same team that was destroyed by this 49er team 38-7 in the season finale last year. Things have changed since January and San Francisco is much better than they were at that point. 

John Skelton will be getting his third start of the season and despite success last week, probably doesn't scare the 49ers defense too much. Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman continue to play the best football of any linebacker tandem in the league. Carlos Rogers is stepping up and becoming one of the elite corners in the NFL. And San Francisco is nearly a double-digit favorite. 

But, there are a few different factors to keep a mind on heading into this game. Need I remind you of the St. Louis Rams' first win of the season a couple weeks ago against the New Orleans Saints? Or, last week's game between the Baltimore Ravens and Seattle Seahawks? 

In short, any given Sunday. 

San Francisco is coming off a dramatic victory over the New York Giants in one of the best games of the season. They also have a huge Thanksgiving matchup against the Baltimore Ravens and Jim Harbaugh's older brother. 

This is the definition of a trap game in every single possible way, but one. It is only San Francisco's second division game and pits them against the Arizona Cardinals in what has been a rivalry game over the course of the last three or four seasons. 

I fully expect Jim Harbaugh to preach that Arizona shouldn't be taken lightly while reminding his players of the two aforementioned games. 

This week's game is also important for a couple of different reasons. First, a victory would bring San Francisco closer to an NFC West championship. Secondly, it would prove that the 49ers are consistent and one of the best teams in the NFL. The reason for this is because many of the "top-tier" teams tend to struggle against lesser opponents.

If they are able to show up, maintain the passion we have seen and easily defeat Arizona, it will prove that San Francisco stands with the Green Bay Packers a cut above the rest of the NFL. It will prove this because elite teams are supposed to walk all over bad teams at home. 

San Francisco needs to jump on Arizona early and not let them continue the confidence that has led to two consecutive wins. They should choose to receive the ball if they win the toss and put confidence in an improving offense. 

We already know that Arizona's offense isn't going to be able to do much against an elite San Francisco 49ers defense. So, the at-home 49ers will have to limit their mistakes once more and play a balanced game on offense. There is time for experimenting with opening the offense up, but that will come once San Francisco clinches the division. 

Right now, San Francisco needs to keep their eye on the prize and not get overconfident after a huge win against the Giants. If the 49ers do not show up for this game, look back to the win against New York or forward to the game against Baltimore, they will not win this game. 

I am pretty sure that Harbaugh has entrenched this into his team over the course of the last week and they will be prepared come Sunday. If that happens, San Francisco should have no problem against a much-inferior Arizona team. 

Looking forward to the Baltimore Ravens is the job of fans, not the team. I think that players and coaches know this and will show up come game day on Sunday. 

You should expect a dominating 49ers victory. 

Final Prediction: San Francisco 49ers 34, Arizona Cardinals 10