GLENDALE, Ariz. -- It was the first of what is likely to be many matchups over the next few years.And Round 1 was a decisive victory for the old pro . . . if that's what you want to call 49ers receiver Michael Crabtree.Tale of the tape
49ers WR Michael Crabtree (15): 6-1, 214, Texas Tech, third season
Cardinals CB Patrick Peterson (21): 6-1, 219, LSU, rookiePeterson, this year's fifth overall draft pick, did not take long to establish himself as the Cardinals' top corner. And the Cardinals have demonstrated so much confidence in him that they usually have him shadow the opposition's top receiving threat.
Crabtree won the head-to-head struggle three weeks ago with seven receptions for a season-high 120 yards. Peterson did not break up any of quarterback Alex Smith's pass attempts in the 49ers' 23-7 victory at Candlestick Park on Nov. 20."He's a young player who has a lot on his plate, as far as what we've asked him to do," Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt said of Peterson. "A lot of times he's been matched up against the best player on the other team, and that's a tall task. But he's competed his tail off."He welcomes the challenge of playing against good players. Michael Crabtree is a good receiver, no question, a good combination of size and speed. It's a test for any corner, but if Patrick's matched up on him, he relishes the opportunity to compete against somebody like that."On a team that ranks near the bottom in the league in passing yards but near the top in passing efficiency, Crabtree has come on strong. He is in the midst of the best stretch in his career. In his past three games, Crabtree has caught 17 passes for 270 yards.Crabtree is overcoming a slow start. In the first three weeks of the season, he was inactive once and caught just four passes for 28 yards in the other two games. Crabtree is finally healthy after missing training camp to repair a fractured foot.Smith said there were several weeks when Crabtree, coming off the injury was still feeling his way. After all, he might have been cautious with his foot and had not yet gotten comfortable with the offense, either."So all that leads to just playing faster and knowing what you're doing," Smith said. "He's doing that right now, playing at a high level."The 10th overall pick of the 2009 draft is turning into Smith's go-to receiver. He caught a 52-yard scouring pass last week for the 49ers' first touchdown in a 26-0 win over the St. Louis Rams.The 49ers expect Peterson to continue to improve his game and present a bigger challenge against Crabtree in every subsequent meeting."He's a talented young corner, extremely talented," Smith said. "The guy does a lot and makes a lot of plays. They match him up, especially these last few weeks, against the opponent's top guy. It was no different when we played and he matched up with Michael."Crabtree was sparking us all day. So, I'm sure they both remember that and will be ready to go on Sunday. I anticipate, obviously, those two matching up."Other matchups worth watching
49ers LB Larry Grant (24) vs. Cardinals RB Beanie Wells (26): Grant will get the starting assignment at the "jack" linebacker position in place of four-time Pro Bowl selection Patrick Willis, who will miss the game due to a right hamstring strain. With Grant on the field, the 49ers' run defense expects to keep doing what they're doing. And what the 49ers do is they stop the run. Wells has rushed for 916 yards and nine touchdowns. Meanwhile, the 49ers allow just 3.3 yards per rushing attempt. They have not surrendered a rushing touchdown this season and can become the first NFL team since the 1920 Decatur Staleys to not allow a rushing touchdown in the first 13 games.49ers FS Dashon Goldson (38) vs. Cardinals QB Kevin Kolb (4) : John Skelton was the Cardinals quarterback on Nov. 20 for the first meeting between the teams. But Kolb is the present and future of the Arizona offense after the trade that brought him to the desert from Philadelphia. The Cardinals saw from Kolb last week what they expect to see on a consistent basis. He completed 16 of 25 passes for 247 yards with a touchdown in the Cardinals' 19-13 overtime victory against the Dallas Cowboys. Goldson has played well in the 49ers' secondary. Goldson has recorded four interceptions over the past six games.