Originally posted on 10/29/2012:

Except the Arizona secondary continues to be solid, and the Cardinals D has the best Sack Rate in the NFL, while SF ranks 29th in pass protection. On the ground, Arizona has allowed 165 yards rushing in each of the last two games against teams that feature dominant power RBs, so what makes you think it will be a priority for Alex Smith to be throwing into strong coverage instead of allowing Frank Gore to pound the ball up the middle all game?

I think you're over-estimating Arizona's ability to stop SF on the ground and under-estimating the pressure Smith will be under if he sits in the pocket and waits for his receivers to get clear.