Smith replaces Hill at QB for second half, but rally falls short vs. Slaton, Texans

Steve Slaton scored two touchdowns and the Houston Texans built a big lead then held on for a 24-21 win over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

Seymour, two others fined by NFL

Oakland defensive lineman Richard Seymour was fined $7,500 by the NFL on Friday for unnecessary roughness against Denver tackle Ryan Clady.

Any Given Sunday: 49ers over Cardinals

In Football Outsiders' Any Given Sunday series, they investigate the biggest upset of each NFL weekend. For Week 1, they look at how the San Francisco 49ers toppled the Arizona Cardinals, and the overall weaknesses the game revealed about the Cards.

Story | Conversation | September 15, 2009

49ers: NFC West race much tougher in 2009

...snowball effect, for sure." The 49ers have played the Cardinals tough in the past. Defensive end Justin Smith, outside linebacker Parys Haralson and Nate Clements have given Arizona's offense problems. They did so...

Hill directs 80-yard touchdown drive to lift 49ers over Cardinals

Shaun Hill directed a 15-play, 80-yard drive for the winning touchdown on a 5-yard pass to Frank Gore, and the 49ers spoiled the season debut of defending NFC champion Arizona with a 20-16 victory over the Cardinals on Sunday.

Numbers games: 49ers roster in perspective

...group of offensive linemen at Joe Toledo's expense): Quarterbacks Projected keepers (3) -- Shaun Hill, Alex Smith, Damon Huard Projected to miss cut (1) -- Nate Davis Key issue -- Teams generally keep fifth-round rookie...

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (Consensus division finish: 3rd)

Kirby Lee/US Presswire Entering his third season, Patrick Willis has developed into one of the NFL's top linebackers. EXPERTS' PICKS The 49...

Hot Button: NFC West

...go that route. San Francisco 49ers Primary issue: Identifying a quarterback. The 49ers have gone from Alex Smith to Trent Dilfer to Shaun Hill to J.T. O'Sullivan and back to Hill -- all...

Bills still trying to solve 3-4 defenses

...and out of 3-4 and 4-3 looks depending on how they want to use Justin Smith, but their base is a 3-4. Here's the breakdown of how the Bills have...

Cardinals find a way despite shortcomings

    Mark J. Rebilas/US Presswire   Kurt Warner threw for 328 yards and three touchdowns as the Cardinals held off the 49ers, 29-24. P...

...Wes Welker (83) is pursued by San Francisco 49ers cornerback Walt Harris (27) and defensive end Justin Smith (94) at Candlestick Park. The Patriots defeated the 49ers 30-21. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image...

Where has the defense gone?

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando The first five weeks of the NFL season have forced NFC West defenses into deep soul searching. The Seattle Seahawks fe...

Shhh: Cardinals' defense could surprise

...Chris Long with the second overall choice. The San Francisco 49ers signed free-agent defensive end Justin Smith to a $45 million contract. The Seattle Seahawks sent defensive end Patrick Kerney, middle linebacker Lofa...

Houshmandzadeh: No contract expectations

...Cincinnati lost guard Eric Steinbach in free agency to the Cleveland Browns. This offseason, defensive end Justin Smith signed with the San Francisco 49ers. Could Houshmandzadeh be the next home-grown talent to exit...

49ers camp preview: Gore will be great

AJ Mass previews the San Francisco 49ers for fantasy and notes that the new coaching staff is going to focus on the running game, which means good things for Frank Gore.