Niners Picked Off and Pounded in the Desert

Long before the 49ers took the field in Arizona Sunday, the Cardinals were excited for the opportunity to let San Francisco know that they are the big dogs in the NFC West now.The Cardinals, undefeated through their first two games, hoped to jump on the 49ers in a big way and take early control of the NFC West."We understand how important this game is," Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson told reporters in the days leading up to the game. "We're definitely not looking at this game as another game on the schedule."Then they went out and proved it.In a game that was ugly for the 49ers from start to finish, San Francisco was pounded 47-7 to fall to 1-2. And the past two losses have been convincing decisions that leave 49ers fans wondering if their team can find its way out of a deep, early-season hole. After the 49ers beat Minnesota in Game 1, they've now lost to Pittsburgh and Arizona in consecutive weeks by a combined score of 90-25.It's the most combined points allowed by the 49ers in consecutive weeks since 1980.On the 49ers' first possession, quarterback Colin Kaepernick – who hadn't been picked off in the first two games – was intercepted by Justin Bethel, who...