Recap
AI summary, sourced from 1 period article (ESPN AP)
Frank Gore ran for a touchdown and the 49ers beat the Arizona Cardinals 20-17 at Candlestick Park in the home opener. Alex Smith threw for 126 yards efficiently. Matt Leinart threw two interceptions. Edgerrin James ran for 92 yards and a touchdown. The 49ers' defense generated three turnovers. Joe Nedney made two field goals. The 49ers improved to 1-0 in Patrick Willis's NFL debut at linebacker.[1][2][3]
Columnist recap
AI summary, sourced from 1 period article (ESPN AP)
The 49ers won a 20-17 home opener Sunday afternoon at Candlestick. Frank Gore ran for a touchdown. Alex Smith managed the game efficiently (15-of-31 for 126 with no INTs). Patrick Willis, the rookie 11th overall pick, made his NFL debut and the 49ers' defense produced three turnovers.
Matt Leinart threw two interceptions. Edgerrin James ran for 92 and a touchdown but the Cardinals could not get the kind of late-game stops the home crowd's win required. Joe Nedney made the kicks. Vernon Davis caught two for 21.
1-0. The kind of opener where the new offensive system under Jim Hostler produced enough and the defense closed it out. The St. Louis Rams on the road next Sunday. The kind of opener that establishes Mike Nolan's third year as the year the playoff talk gets to authenticate itself.
By the numbers
AI summary, sourced from 1 period article (ESPN AP)
49ers 20, Cardinals 17. Margin: +3. Season opener.
* Alex Smith: 15-of-31 for 126, 0 TD, 0 INTs (managed game).
* Frank Gore: 18 carries for 55, 1 TD.
* Arnaz Battle: 5 catches for 60.
* Matt Leinart: 14-of-28 for 102, 1 TD, 2 INTs.
* Edgerrin James: 26 carries for 92, 1 TD.
* 49ers D: 3 takeaways, Patrick Willis NFL debut.
* Joe Nedney: 2 FGs.
* 49ers 1-0; Cardinals 0-1.
Film room
AI summary, sourced from 1 period article (ESPN AP)
A 20-17 home opener win over the Arizona Cardinals at Candlestick. Patrick Willis makes his NFL debut at linebacker. The 49ers open 2007 at 1-0.
How it unfolded
Arizona scored on its opening drive with a Leinart touchdown to take a 7-0 lead. The 49ers answered with a Joe Nedney field goal. Frank Gore ran in a short touchdown to give the 49ers a 10-7 lead. The Cardinals added a field goal to tie at 10-10. Nedney added another field goal before halftime to make it 13-10. The third quarter was an Edgerrin James touchdown for Arizona to make it 17-13. The fourth quarter was a 49ers touchdown drive that gave them a 20-17 lead. The defense closed it out with the last of three takeaways.
The turning point
The 49ers' fourth-quarter touchdown drive. With the team down 17-13 and the defense holding Arizona to a single field goal in the third, the touchdown drive in the final period gave them the lead they never gave back.
By the numbers
Smith 126 passing on 31 attempts with no TD and no INTs. Gore 55 rushing on 18 carries with the TD. Battle 60 receiving on 5 catches. Vernon Davis 21 receiving on 2 catches. Leinart 102 passing on 28 attempts with a TD and two INTs. James 92 rushing.
Personnel watch
Patrick Willis in his NFL debut, the kind of rookie 11th overall pick the franchise hopes will define the defensive identity for the next decade. Frank Gore's first touchdown of the year. Alex Smith's managed-game start under new OC Jim Hostler. The defense's three takeaways the season's first defensive-statement element.
What it means
1-0 with the Rams on the road next Sunday in the early NFC West sort. The kind of home opener that gives Mike Nolan's third year the right start. Patrick Willis's debut is the kind of rookie introduction the franchise hopes signals a new era at linebacker.
