49ers Playing Strong Against The Run
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) - The NFL's No. 1 rushing defense enters the final quarter of the season with a few significant streaks that have been key this year to the San Francisco 49ers' success.
They're streaks that are becoming more meaningful each week for the team's defense, which hasn't allowed a 100-yard rusher in 34 consecutive games or a rushing touchdown in its last 13 games.
The 49ers last week became the first NFL team since 1970 to begin a season with 12 consecutive games of not allowing a rushing touchdown. To keep that streak alive this week against the Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco might have to do it without its best defensive player.
Four-time Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Willis suffered a hamstring injury in last week's 26-0 shutout of the St. Louis Rams. Willis missed practice for the third straight day Friday and is listed as questionable to play Sunday at Arizona.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.
