SAN FRANCISCO - Whether it's Vernon Davis and Darnell Dockett engaging in a war of tweets in the run-up to the game, or Arizona safety Adrian Wilson headhunting against Davis during the game, the 49ers-Cardinals matchup tends to get a little chippy.
In Sunday's 23-7 victory by the Niners, things went further than usual.
At about the 11:00 mark of the fourth quarter, as 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith was sacking Richard Bartel, safety Dashon Goldson and Cardinals wide receiver Early Doucet began trading punches. Replays showed Doucet instigating the fight by hitting Goldson from behind, but it was the defender who got caught throwing the last couple of blows.
Officials threw Goldson out of the game and penalized the 49ers 15 yards; the team now must wait to find out whether the NFL also hands down a suspension, which seems unlikely. Doucet was not flagged or punished.
The Cardinals drove to their only touchdown on that possession, and on the ensuing kickoff, Arizona's Michael Adams got hit with an unnecessary roughness penalty for shoving Ted Ginn out of bounds. It has emerged as a theme for the 49ers. The Buccaneers and Redskins, to cite two examples, also lost their cool in losses to these guys.
"Sometimes things escalate, especially when you're doing so well and you've found ways to get in the other team's head," 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis said. "We have to be smart about what's going on and know the scenarios."
Coach Jim Harbaugh said Goldson was remorseful after the game, and stressed that it isn't OK to retaliate for cheap shots. In typical Harbaugh fashion, he also suggested that tough boys will be tough boys.
"Maybe I'm seeing this through rose-colored glasses, but I thought our guys kept their composure," he said. "I didn't think that once the whistle stopped, that we were the ones that were shoving and getting the extra shove in. It comes to a point where you can't always concede the last shove."
DAY OF THE CRAB
One highly welcome development for the 49ers was the emergence of wide receiver Michael Crabtree, who had a breakout game with seven catches for 120 yards. It was his first 100-yard game of the season, and just 2 yards shy of his career best, set against the Rams in Week 16 of last season.
Crabtree set up one field-goal attempt with a 38-yard reception, getting rookie cornerback Patrick Peterson to slip with a double move; missed a touchdown opportunity when Alex Smith overthrew him in the end zone; set up the 49ers' first touchdown by slipping three tackles (two by Peterson) on a 29-yard gain; and gave his team a first-and-goal at the 7-yard line by drawing a pass interference penalty against the overmatched rookie late in the third quarter.
"I thought Crab was the guy that really got us going and got those two big drives after halftime," Harbaugh said.
THE GREATEST 49ERS TD-CATCHING TIGHT END EVER
Davis' third-quarter touchdown reception was the 34th of his six-year career. That eclipsed Brent Jones' 33 as the most ever for a 49ers tight end.
"It means a lot, it definitely does," Davis said. "Anytime you can make history is a good feeling. It's a great feeling. The win meant more to me today. … I can celebrate the touchdown catch later."
Davis has 39 catches for 446 yards and five touchdowns this season.
EXTRA POINTS
- The 49ers' 44:16 time of possession Sunday was the second most in franchise history in a non-overtime game, behind only the 45:04 against Detroit in 1991. It is the highest in the NFL this year.
- FB Bruce Miller suffered a head injury in the first half and did not return. With Moran Norris inactive, the 49ers had to use TE Justin Peelle in the fullback position.
- David Akers' six field-goal attempts in the first half matched his personal record and the 49ers' franchise record - for an entire game. He did not attempt any field goals in the second half.
- Harbaugh's eight-game win streak is the fourth longest in the NFL since 1970, according to Elias Sports Bureau. Next in line: Ted Marchibroda, whose Colts won nine straight in 1975.
- The SF run defense has not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 32 consecutive games, tied for third most since the start of 2000.
- The Niners did not allow a sack.
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