John Nestor

Quarterback Alex Smith passed for 267 yards with two touchdowns and the San Francisco 49ers pummeled the Cardinals, 23-7 to capture their eighth straight win Sunday at Candlestick Park.

San Francisco's roaring streak extended as Smith overcame a lackluster start to throw two touchdowns in the second half in a game dominated by the 49ers defense.

David Akers connected on all his three field goal attempts to put the 49ers ahead, 9-0, in a touchdown-less first half.

Smith found his groove after the break as he threw his first TD on an 8-yard hookup with wideout Kyle Williams at 7:12 of the third quarter.

Smith struck again three minutes later with an 18-yard TD pass to Vernon Davis, giving the 49ers a 23-0 cushion going into the fourth quarter.

The Cardinals scored their only TD on a 23-yard catch by Pro Bowl wideout Larry Fitzgerald from quarterback Richard Bartel in the 8:38 minute of the fourth quarter.

Cardinals quarterback John Skelton covered only 99 yards with three interceptions, while Bartel was 8-for-16 for 64 yards and a touchdown as his replacement.

Linebacker Patrick Willis spearheaded the 49ers defense with 7 tackles, three pass deflections and one interception.

With a 9-1 record, the 49ers lord on top of NFC South ahead of the Seattle Seahawks (4-6), the Cardinals (3-7), and the St. Louis Rams (2-8).

On Thursday, the 49ers are in for a tough match when they visit the AFC North leader Baltimore Ravens (7-3).

The Cardinals will try to bounce back from their loss when they battle the St. Louis Rams Sunday.

 

NFL 2011 Week 11 - Alex Smith Lifts 49ers Over Cards For 8th Straight Win