Check this out...
Check this out...
For the past 3 years, the first game between these two teams has ended with 37, 36, and 36 points. Now look at the 2nd game of their matchup; 68 in OT, 53 in 2008 and then we have tonight's game.
09/13/09 SF 20 - ARI 16 SF 5.5 U 45.5
11/10/08 SF 24 - ARI 29 SF 9.5 O 47.5
09/07/08 ARI 23 - SF 13 ARI -1 U 42.5
11/25/07 SF 37 - ARI 31 x SF 10 O 37.5
09/10/07 ARI 17 - SF 20 ARI 3.5 U 47
Another interesting fact is that ARIZONA shut down GORE in the first matchup, holding him to 30 yards on 22 carries, they held AP to 19 yards on 13 carries last week, and most recently, SF abandoned the run vs SEA, rushing it 13 times compared to 45 passes last week as Gore was again ineffective. This is NOT a team that is confident in its running game, they have gone to a spread type offense and are throwing the ball now with new-found QB ALEX SMITH.
I think we'll see like 80 passes tonight. BOTH teams rely on the pass and use the run to keep the defense honest, so we could see a repeat of last nights game, well, not that big, but we should have no problem getting to 45 tonight, as weather will NOT be an issue.
Best of Luck to y'all! :SIB