49ers-Cardinals: Closest thing to rivals

SANTA CLARA -- Three weeks ago, players within the 49ers locker room dismissed the notion they could possibly experience the effects of a "trap game."As the 49ers prepared to face the Arizona Cardinals at Candlestick Park on Nov. 20, the club was coming off a rousing victory over the New York Giants. On the horizon was the Thanksgiving night game against the Baltimore Ravens.But there was no fear of the 49ers looking past the Cardinals, many players said. That's because the 49ers consider the Cardinals their biggest rival.Tight end Vernon Davis and Cardinals defensive lineman Darnell Dockett have engaged in Twitter feuds over the past two seasons. Safety Dashon Goldson and Cardinals receiver Early Doucet exchanged punches in the meeting earlier this season. Goldson was fined 25,000, while Doucet had 1,000 deducted from his pay check.The rivalry continues Sunday in the desert.
The 49ers already have the NFC West clinched. But every game continues to loom big for the 49ers (10-2). The 49ers understand the importance of remaining ahead of the New Orleans Saints in the race to be the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs.RELATED: NFL standings
It's the difference between, potentially, playing the Saints at Candlestick or at the Superdome in the divisional round of the playoffs.The Cardinals, meanwhile, don't have that kind of tangible motivation. They just want to beat the 49ers. Period."They're a good football team," Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt said on a conference call with reporters who cover the 49ers. "There seems to be a rivalry with the 49ers, and I don't know how long that goes back. I just know since I've been here (five years), that's something that's been important to our players and, it seems like, to their players, as well."I think with the success the 49ers have had over the years, and winning the Super Bowls, that's been a natural tendency to feel that way. I definitely feel like we have a rivalry with every one of our division opponents. Division games are important. But because of the success the 49ers have had against us, it means a little more."The teams played just three week ago, and the 49ers had a relatively easy time in a 23-7 victory. Second-year quarterback John Skelton started, as Kevin Kolb was out with an injury.This time, the 49ers will be facing Kolb, who led Arizona to an overtime victory against the Dallas Cowboys. Even at this stage, the Cardinals are trying to build to take back the division title next season."Having Kevin play well in the second half against the Cowboys like he did makes us feel better about the progress with our whole team," Whisenhunt said. "Even though we didn't play especially well against the 49ers the last time we played them, we felt like we're making progress as a team."Would it help us if we played well against the 49ers? Absolutely. Any time you play against a good football team and you play well, you feel good about your team and your players. That's an important thing."