The 49ers host division rival Arizona in a nationally televised Monday Night Football game where the Cardinals can clinch the division title with a win. The Niners need to win to keep their playoff hopes alive. Follow along and join the conversation with our live game notes from Candlestick.
Niners quarterback Alex Smith, who started the season on the bench before being named the starter in late October, completed 27 of 45 throws for a career-best 310 yards with two touchdowns in last Sunday’s 20-17 loss to Seattle. Smith’s career day was ruined by a plethora of mistakes, and the 49ers suffered their sixth loss in eight games.
San Francisco passed the ball on 21 of its first 24 plays against the Seahawks, and Frank Gore rushed nine times for 25 yards. Gore has run for 117 yards with no touchdowns in his last three games after rushing for 278 and three TDs in his previous three.
The Associated Press reported in the pregame that team president Jed York gave a big vote of confidence to head coach Mike Singletary and general manger Scot McCloughan, saying both men would be with the franchise for the 2010 season.
'York credited Singletary’s passion as a positive trait for the coach, who had the interim tag lifted from his title for this season after taking over for the fired Mike Nolan in October 2008 -- and he received a four-year contract. Singletary’s 49ers were 5-7 heading into Monday night’s game against the reigning NFC champion Cardinals. McCloughan is wrapping up his second season as San Francisco’s GM after working the previous three years as the club’s vice president of player personnel.'
Watch NBC Bay Area at 11 for the latest from Candlestick.
