49ers at Arizona Cardinals

Brian Westbrook ran for 136 yards and a touchdown and the 49ers beat the Arizona Cardinals 27-6 at University of Phoenix Stadium on Monday Night Football. Westbrook's 62-yard run in the third quarter set up his touchdown. Troy Smith threw a touchdown to Michael Crabtree and finished 11-of-23 for 129. The defense intercepted Derek Anderson once and held Arizona to two field goals. The 49ers improved to 4-7.[1][2][3]

Brian Westbrook ran for 136 yards Monday night in the desert. The 49ers' new lead back, in his first start filling in for the season-ending Frank Gore, produced the kind of breakout game that justifies the offseason signing. The 49ers beat the Arizona Cardinals 27-6 in the kind of Monday Night Football division win where the visiting team controlled the line of scrimmage.

Westbrook's 62-yard run in the third quarter set up his touchdown that pushed the lead to two scores. Troy Smith threw a touchdown to Michael Crabtree. The defense intercepted Derek Anderson once and held Arizona to two field goals. Patrick Willis, Justin Smith, and the front seven dominated the Cardinals' offensive line throughout. The kind of road game where everything fell into place.

4-7. The kind of Monday Night Football win that, in the NFC West, technically keeps the team in the division conversation. The kind of road performance the season needed after the Frank Gore injury. Sunday Night Football at Green Bay next week against Aaron Rodgers. The schedule turns hard, but the team walked out of Phoenix with two scores in their corner.

49ers 27, Cardinals 6. Margin: +21. Eleven-game record: 4-7, -38 differential.

* Brian Westbrook: 23 carries for 136, 1 TD; 62-yard rushing long.
* Troy Smith: 11-of-23 for 129, 1 TD (to Crabtree), 1 INT.
* Michael Crabtree: receiving TD.
* 49ers D: 1 INT of Derek Anderson, multiple sacks.
* Derek Anderson: 16-of-35 for 196, 0 TDs, 1 INT.
* Beanie Wells: 5 carries for 13.
* 49ers held Arizona to 2 FGs (red-zone problems for Cardinals).
* 49ers 4-7; Cardinals 3-8.

A 27-6 Monday Night Football road win at Arizona. The 49ers improve to 4-7.

How it unfolded

The 49ers opened with a touchdown drive that included a Troy Smith touchdown to Michael Crabtree to make it 7-0. Arizona answered with a Jay Feely field goal. The 49ers added a Brian Westbrook touchdown run to make it 14-3. Joe Nedney added a field goal before halftime to make it 17-3. The third quarter was a 62-yard Westbrook run that set up his second touchdown to make it 24-3. Arizona added a field goal. The 49ers closed it with another Nedney kick. Final 27-6.

The turning point

Brian Westbrook's 62-yard run in the third quarter. With the 49ers up 17-3 and Arizona starting to look like it could get back into the game, Westbrook's long run set up the touchdown that pushed the lead to three scores and ended the competitive portion of the night.

By the numbers

Westbrook 136 rushing on 23 carries with a TD and the 62-yard run. Smith 129 passing on 23 attempts with a TD. Crabtree 2 catches for 48 with the TD. Davis 3 catches for 35. Anthony Dixon 8 carries for 24. Derek Anderson 196 passing on 35 attempts with an INT. Wells 13 rushing.

Personnel watch

Brian Westbrook in his first 49ers breakout game. The offseason signing, who had been quiet through his first ten games, produced the kind of MNF game the season needed. The defense generating consistent pressure on Anderson. Justin Smith and Patrick Willis the front-seven leaders. The kind of road performance the team's identity is built around.

What it means

4-7 with the road game at Green Bay next Sunday Night Football. The schedule turns into the AFC North and NFC North playoff contenders. The Westbrook breakout is the kind of game that justifies the offseason signing and gives the post-Gore offense a baseline.