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Cardinals look to avenge Week One loss to 49ers

Nov 25, 2007 - 11:28 AM San Francisco (2-8) at Arizona (5-5) 4:05 pm EST

GLENDALE, Arizona (Ticker) -- The Arizona Cardinals might still be wondering how they lost to the San Francisco 49ers in Week One. One thing they do know, however, is that they can't afford to let it happen again.

The Cardinals look to avenge that defeat on Sunday when they continue their playoff push.

A win over the 49ers will give Arizona its first three-game winning streak since the Cardinals were 4-2 after beating Dallas on October 20, 2002.

Although Arizona is just 5-5, it is in the thick of the playoff race in the NFC, trailing Seattle by one game in the NFC West.

The Cardinals play four of their last six games at home, while the Seahawks are on the road for four of their last six.

At 5-5, the Cardinals have their best record after 10 games since 1998, the only time they finished above .500 since moving to Arizona.

The 49ers (2-8) have been woeful, losing eight straight after starting the season 2-0. San Francisco has failed to score a touchdown in its last two games, managing just three field goals.

But the 49ers found a way to beat the Cardinals, 20-17, in their season opener despite gaining less than 200 yards.

Limited to just 109 total yards through the first 57 minutes, San Francisco put together a 12-play, 86-yard drive in the final three minutes. Arnaz Battle scored on a 1-yard touchdown run with 22 seconds remaining.

The 49ers are last in scoring, averaging a meager 11.3 points per game. Trent Dilfer, filling in for injured starter Alex Smith, failed to ignite the stagnant offense in last week's 13-9 loss to the St. Louis Rams.

The Cardinals, meanwhile, are showing signs of life under first-year coach Ken Whisenhunt.

In last week's 35-27 win at Cincinnati, they got a huge boost from cornerback Antrel Rolle, who returned two of his three interceptions for touchdowns.

Rolle also returned his third interception for a touchdown but it was called back because of a penalty. If not for the penalty, he would have tied an NFL record with his third interception return for a touchdown.