49ers-Cardinals: Matchups to watch

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Arizona Cardinals invested heavily in upgrading their play at quarterback after the lockout ended.But the team's improvement behind center of the past two weeks has been with second-year quarterback John Skelton at the controls -- and not high-priced offseason acquisition Kevin Kolb.Skelton has led the Cardinals to back-to-back victories over St. Louis and Philadelphia after Arizona stumbled to six consecutive losses with Kolb, who has missed the past two games with a toe injury. Again, Kolb is expected to be watching from the sideline Sunday when the Cardinals (3-6) enter Candlestick Park to face the 49ers (8-1).
Expect Skelton to try to rely on one of the best receivers in the NFL.Tale of the tape
49ers free safety Dashon Goldson (38): 6-2, 200, Washington, fifth season
Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11): 6-3, 218, Pitt, eighth seasonThe 49ers have done a good job this season against top wide receivers, as they have employed a lot of double coverage. And Goldson figures to see a lot of Fitzgerald on Sunday.Skelton targeted Fitzgerald 13 times in a 21-17 victory last week over the Eagles. It doesn't matter if Fitzgerald is covered or not, Skelton will throw the ball into traffic to give Fitzgerald a chance to make a play.Last week, Fitzgerald came down with seven receptions for 146 yards and two touchdowns."He's got good arm talent," 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said of Skelton. "This guy can throw the ball. He's got an easy release. He's got a strong arm. (He) kind of reminds me of (Baltimore quarterback Joe) Flacco a little bit with his arm strength and how easy the ball comes out."(He) throws a good deep ball, and in the last couple of weeks he has fallen in love with Fitzgerald, which is smart on his part. So, I've been impressed with the guy."The 49ers are not expected to shadow Fitzgerald with just one cornerback. They will likely mix up their coverages. Carlos Rogers might match up with Fitzgerald more often, as Fitzgerald also sees action in the slot.Starting right cornerback Tarell Brown is questionable with a knee injury sustained late in the practice week. Rookie Chris Culliver is the 49ers' No 3 cornerback.Goldson will be relied upon to provide deep coverage on Fitzgerald. Goldson has done a good job of playing center field in recent games. He had interceptions in back-to-back games against Cleveland and Washington, and nearly had a pick against the New York Giants' Eli Manning last week. (He failed to get his second foot inbounds.)Other matchups worth watching
49ers left guard Mike Iupati (77) vs. Cardinals right defensive tackle Calais Campbell (93): The 49ers offensive line has taken tremendous strides from early in the season. Iupati and left tackle Joe Staley have to work together against the Cardinals 3-4 defensive front to keep that trend going. Iupati will be matched mostly against Campbell, who leads Arizona with five sacks and 12 quarterback hits. "I think they've been doing a great job of improving, their communication, their overall play in all phases," 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said of the 49ers line. "Pad level, pass protection, finish. You can highlight really the young guys Mike Iupati and (right tackle) Anthony Davis, probably made even more improvement than the others on the offensive line. It all bodes well for us. We're pleased with how those guys are playing."49ers special-teamer Blake Costanzo (51) vs. Cardinals return man Patrick Peterson (21): Costanzo, the 49ers' top special-teams performer, and his teammates on the coverage team will have a difficult chore. Peterson, a rookie, has been phenomenal on punt returns with a 17.6-yard average and three touchdowns. Peterson's 99-yard punt return in overtime supplied the Cardinals with a 19-13 victory over the St. Louis Rams two weeks ago. The 49ers punt-coverage unit has been outstanding. Punter Andy Lee has a 50.5 average. His league-leading net average of 43.8 is more than a yard better than Denver's Britton Colquitt, who ranks No. 2.