Play: San Fran. (10-110)
The 49ers, who rank 30th in the league in surrendering 28.8 points a game, face the league's top-scoring offense. The Cardinals average 29.3 points a game, while ranking second in the NFL with 386.9 yards per game. The 49ers have to be able to get pressure on Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner, who managed just 197 yards passing when the clubs met in the first week of the regular season. The 49ers got some heat on Warner, sacking him four times. But the 49ers' pass rush has not been consistent. In the seven games that have followed, the 49ers have gotten just 10 sacks. Edgerrin James rushed for 100 yards in that first meeting, but now the 49ers must contend with new starter, rookie Tim Hightower, who has six touchdowns rushing. Offensively, Mike Martz has a new quarterback. J.T. O'Sullivan is out, and Shaun Hill is in. Martz will have to mold his offense to Hill's strengths. That should mean fewer seven-stop drops and vertical routes. Hill is good at making quick decisions and getting the ball out quickly. His arm is not as strong as O'Sullivan's. Regardless of the approach in the passing game, Martz has to show a commitment to getting the ball in the hands of running back Frank Gore, who is second in the NFL with 940 yards from scrimmage.