The offense finally found its rhythm under Jeff Garcia in the first half. The opening series was beautiful to watch as the 49ers streaked across 73 yards in only 5 plays. They mixed a heavy dose of the pass with a quick-strike run and ended the opening drive with a score. It looked like the 49ers of old, with the middle of the field exploited by a receiving tight end.
Jeff Garcia went 3 for 3 for 59 yards, and then capped the drive off with a 3-yard run for a score. The 26-yard pass to tight end Jed Weaver was one of the longest passes that Garcia has completed this season. He ended the half with 195 yards, 4 passing TDs and 1 rushing score. Perhaps Garcia was trying to exorcize the demons that have plagued him since the Tim Rattay “controversy.” With 6 touchdowns total on Sunday, he did just that.
Owens came back to form on his 30th birthday, He even received a gift-wrapped touchdown from the cardinals when they forgot to cover Owens from the two-yard line. Owens ended the day with 7 receptions, 92 yards and two scores.
Although Garcia and Owens finally performed up to their Pro Bowl potential, the real bright spot on offense was the play of Kevan Barlow. In the first start of his 4-year career he ran over, under, and through the Arizona defense for 154 yards. His yards-per-carry average (YPC) was off the charts at a phenomenal 8.6 yards a carry. Garcia averaged 9 yards an attempt. Barlow played a near flawless game. His only blemish came in the third quarter when he fumbled the ball away on a scamper off left tackle. Barlow will have to learn how to protect the ball or he will be put in the same category as Tiki Barber and Ahman Green: a good back that tends to put the ball on the ground. With games becoming closer and closer in the NFL because of parity, fumbling may end up being costing the team. Nonetheless, with Barlow at running back the 49ers look poised to have a strong backfield for years to come.
The defense, once again, showed that it is a force to be reckoned with, holding Arizona to 183 total yards, notching a safety, forcing two turnovers, and sacking the quarterback 3 times. Tony Parrish recorded another interception today making it his fifth straight game in which he has an INT.
So what is there to say about such a dominating win? Well, once again the 49ers missed a PAT, just as they did in the blowout against the Bears. The theory before this game was that LaFleur, the holder, had trouble holding for a left-footed kicker. When Peterson, a right-footed kicker, landed the job, all seemed to be solved. Today however, LaFleur could not get a handle on the Jennings snap. This again will be glossed over because of the dominating win, but it needs to be addressed in practice.
The only other thing left to say is, “Where was this team the first time they played Arizona? Where was this team against Cleveland, Seattle or Green Bay? The Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde personality disorder must stop. But no amount of prescription medication can cure the ills that plague the 49ers on the road. This team must find a way to take the enthusiasm seen in San Francisco on the road to the team can win some games as opposed to looking like a flopping fish out of its native Bay Area water. The 49ers can relish the win now, but deep down they have to find the reason for their uninspired road play. Otherwise games like this will go down in the books as an anomaly, and not a trend.