December 30, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd (15) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers free safety Dashon Goldson (38) after making a catch in the first quarter at Candlestick Park. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Welcome to Golden Gate Sports’s live blog of the San Francisco 49ers against the Arizona Cardinals. The 49ers are looking to clinch the NFC West with a win, and will also be doing some scoreboard watching, hoping that Green Bay loses so they can gain the number two seed in the playoffs.
Stay tuned for live analysis and commentary!
And the 49ers clinch a first round bye with the Packers loss.
UPDATE: Vikings lead Packers 34-27
49ers Win NFC West, now waiting for result of Packers vs. Vikings. Stay tuned for coverage and a recap
If Packers win, 49ers would host Bears next week. If Vikings win, 49ers get No. 2 seed and a first-round bye.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoCSN) December 31, 2012
Touchdown Cardinals–27-13, 49ers lead
Crosby ties it up for the Pack, now 27-27. #49ersTalk
— CSN 49ers News (@CSN49ers) December 31, 2012
“Let’s go Alex” cheer goes up as Alex completes his first pass. Not enough for a 1st down. #49ers
— Ann Killion (@annkillion) December 31, 2012
Alex Smith needs seven pass attempts to qualify for individual passing titles. Leads NFL with 70.0 completion percentage. #49ers
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) December 31, 2012
Alex Smith is coming in. #49ers
— Ann Killion (@annkillion) December 31, 2012
On Tarell Brown’s INT return, Aldon Smith knocked out former 49ers G Adam Snyder, who’s laying on turf with ton of players around him
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) December 30, 2012
Alex Smith warming up on the sideline#49ers
— Mindi Bach (@MBachCSN) December 30, 2012
Ray McDonald remains on the sideline as play resumes … Ian Williams in at defensive end.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) December 30, 2012
Akers good from 26 yards. 9:07 left in SF, 49ers up 27-6 …
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) December 30, 2012
Another 4th-down conversion — by Crabtree, of course… 1 catch shy of career high
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) December 30, 2012
#49ers recover fumble at Cardinals’ 36 yard line: Ray McDonald forced, Donte Whitner recovered … Meanwhile, #Packers have first-and goal
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) December 30, 2012
FUMBLE
Total yardage since the end of the first quarter: #49ers 360, #Cardinals 18.
— Phil Barber (@Skinny_Post) December 30, 2012
Frank Gore scores on 2-yard, giving him #49ers franchise-best 51st TD run
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) December 30, 2012
Ponder to Peterson for 2 yards, and it’s Vikings 27-17 over the Packers.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoCSN) December 30, 2012
UPDATE:
If the 49ers score, you have to wonder if some defensive starters come out of the game. Ray McDonald would be the first guy I tap …
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) December 30, 2012
Update: Crabtree’s 165 receiving yards are the most for #49ers since T.O.’s 166 on Nov. 25, 2002.
— Phil Barber (@Skinny_Post) December 30, 2012
And it’s Kaepernick to Crabtree for the first down. He was wide open.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoCSN) December 30, 2012
#49ers going for it on 4th and 6, a clear reaction to the Akers issue.
— Ann Killion (@annkillion) December 30, 2012
Clear incomplete in Arizona.
— Mike Pereira (@MikePereira) December 30, 2012
Michael Crabtree first 49ers receiver to have 150+ rec yds & 2 rec TD in a game since Terrell Owens (Nov. 25, 2002 vs Eagles).
— Darin Stephens (@SharksStats) December 30, 2012
Scoring Drive:
David Akers walking OK. He’ll be kicking off. #49ers
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) December 30, 2012
David Akers injured by safety Justin Bethel on extra point, as he was pushed into the kicker, ref Pete Morelli says.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoCSN) December 30, 2012
Akers clutching his right ankle. He’s on his feet but being attended to by trainer.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) December 30, 2012
That was a great and throw and a great catch, over Peterson’s hand.
— Ann Killion (@annkillion) December 30, 2012
Alex Boone appeared to tweak his right knee in the wreckage of LaMichael James run but stays in game
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) December 30, 2012
#49ers WR Ted Ginn Jr. returns punt out 30 yards to AZ’s 38 with 8:49 to play in the 3rd Qtr.
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 30, 2012
49ers play some monster defense
Meanwhile, Packers cut the Vikings lead to 20-17.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoCSN) December 30, 2012
Looks like the defense got called out at halftime. #49ers
— Ann Killion (@annkillion) December 30, 2012
Patrick Willis with a massive hit…4th down
Back to back sacks for 49ers
The Cardinals are leading the NFL in sacks allowed (and quarterback starters) but have yet to allow one to the #49ers today.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) December 30, 2012
Akers makes the 44-yard field goal
Akers WILL kick
Decision time
David Akers trending on Twitter
Delanie Walker drops a TD. #49ersTalk
— CSN 49ers News (@CSN49ers) December 30, 2012
That’s a career-high in receiving yards in one game for Crabtree …
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) December 30, 2012
Love Kaepernick’s arm strength, but he should learn to check down at times. Gore/James have been there today without great risk.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) December 30, 2012
David Akers is still kicking into sideline net while 49ers open second-half series. Trying to get kinks out or tire his leg?
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) December 30, 2012
Key stats from 1st half
And here we go: Second Half
HALFTIME:
I’m no FG specialist, but it looks to me like Akers is trying so hard to elevate his kicks that he has no accuracy.
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) December 30, 2012
Akers chucks his helmet into 49ers bench — if he was intentionally trying to hit bench, he split those uprights at least
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) December 30, 2012
David Akers misses another field goal, this time from 40 yards
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) December 30, 2012
False start on 49ers
Length of Colin Kaepernick’s past four completions: 31, 49, 19, 23. #49ers
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) December 30, 2012
Packers score. Still 13-6 Vikings
Wow! What a one-handed grab by Crabtree-First down Niners
Michael Crabtree joins Steven Jackson as NFC West players going above 1,000 yards this season.
— Mike Sando, ESPN.com (@espn_nfcwest) December 30, 2012
Nice third-down pass breakup from #49ers CB @realtb25. AZ to punt. #AZvsSF
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 30, 2012
Crabtree has 3 rec for 97 yds & a TD in this game; his season high is 6 rec for 113 yds & a TD v Buffalo
— Mindi Bach (@MBachCSN) December 30, 2012
49ers again NEARLY pick off a deflection
49ers: Two Kaepernick passes to Crabtree for 80 yards and a TD, and now the 49ers lead 7-6.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoCSN) December 30, 2012
Crabtree catch of 31 yards then 49 yards and a TD to go over 1,000 — the first 49er since T.O. in 2003.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoCSN) December 30, 2012
31-yard pass from Kaepernick to Crabtree
Current score
#49ers force 3-and-out after missed FG.
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 30, 2012
At this stage right now, there are more questions about the 49ers than at any point this season.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoCSN) December 30, 2012
44 yard attempt for Akers is missed
Kaepernick very hesitant today
Seattle leads the Rams 3-0
Kaepernick with a 17-yard pass to Crabtree
Staley with a great block
Gore runs for 1st down- Niners first of the day
Both lines are failing this team – offense opening zero holes, defense getting zero penetration or pressure. Can’t win like that. #49ers
— Damon Bruce (@DamonBruce) December 30, 2012
Cardinals score
Breaking: Justin Smith is the most valuable player in NFL history. #49ers
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) December 30, 2012
49ers get to Powell for loss of 3 yards
No coincidence that every run play Cardinals have called has been over their left side — the side that Justin Smith would be lining up.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoCSN) December 30, 2012
#49ers LDT Ray McDonald comes out with apparent ankle injury
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) December 30, 2012
Probably would’ve been a first down had Jenkins caught that pass.
A.J. Jenkins’ first pass thrown his way and he drops it on third down.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoCSN) December 30, 2012
Vernon Davis, coming off concussion, gets blasted by Adrian Wilson on 5-yard reception
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) December 30, 2012
#49ers have 1 TD in past 11 drives dating back to start of last week’s loss in Seattle.
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) December 30, 2012
49ers again struggling to get a rhythm going.
UPDATE: Vikings lead Packers 10-0
The Cardinals’ already horrible offensive line (you can’t tell it right now) just lost RG Pat McQuistan. Senio Kelemete replaces him.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoCSN) December 30, 2012
Powell with a three-yard rush
Hoyer completes 12-yard pass to Roberts for another AZ 1st down at SF’s 19.
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 30, 2012
Hoyers 15 -yard pass to Floyd for first down
Alex Smith vs. Cardinals back in October: 18-for-19
Scoreboard watching: Vikings lead Packers 3-0 with 9:14 left in the first quarter
Another 3&out for #49ers – 2 drives, have yet to get past their own 11 yd line & AZ gets great field position again – on their own 47
— Mindi Bach (@MBachCSN) December 30, 2012
Nice pass-broken up by Michael Crabtree to prevent interception. The 49ers will punt again after second 3-and-out.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoCSN) December 30, 2012
C.Kaepernick pass incomplete deep right to G.Celek
Gore rushes for 1-yard- 2nd and 9
Scattered mock cheers after Ted Ginn successfully makes fair catch. #49ers
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) December 30, 2012
And here comes Arizona’a punting unit. Ginn out there to receive
Patrick Willis forces a two-yard loss
Hoyer rushes for a first down
Whitner NEARLY picks off Hoyer’s deflected pass
2nd and 6 for Arizona
Cardinals are the WORST rushing team in the league
49ers just miss first down on Gore’s run, punting team coming out.
Ted Ginn inexplicably does not catch punt around 20, and it bounces to the 1 for a 70-yard punt, net 70.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoCSN) December 30, 2012
49ers force a three and out to start the game. How many times DIDN’t we say that last week.
49ers defer. The Cardinals will receive kickoff.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoCSN) December 30, 2012
No Alex Smith for coin toss — he was warming up the receivers instead. SF wins toss, defers …
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) December 30, 2012
Kick-off is nearing
Jake Dal Porto is a student from the Bay Area. He has followed Bay Area sports for years, and enjoys writing about the various Bay Area teams. He is an assistant editor at Golden Gate Sports, and the editor of Blue Man Hoop. Jake also writes about the NBA for Hoops Habit. If you need to contact Jake, email him: 
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