49ers' Dashon Goldson not fined for huge hit on Early Doucet

San Francisco 49ers safety Dashon Goldson leveled Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Early Doucet in what was ruled a perfectly legal hit.

San Francisco 49ers midseason grades: Frank Gore leads talented group toward improvement

The San Francisco 49ers have earned some much needed rest during their Week 9 bye, and it's a perfect time to reflect on how well this offense has performed through eight games via midseason grades.

49ers vs Cardinals: Offense in high gear in victory over Arizona

A look at the stiflingly efficient 49ers offense in their 24-3 victory over the Cardinals.

49ers vs. Cardinals 2012: Niners show a 'killer instinct'

The 49ers took control of the NFC West on Monday night, and were able to put away the Cardinals in blow away fashion.

49ers vs. Cardinals postgame notes and observations

Some postgame notes and a recap of the San Francisco 49ers' 24-3 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Monday Night Football.

49ers vs. Cardinals final score: San Francisco dominates in 24-3 win

The San Francisco 49ers jumped out to a 17-0 halftime lead and cruised in the second half to a 24-3 victory against the Arizona Cardinals on Monday.

First place in the NFC West was on the line in the game, and with the win, San Francisco took control of the division. At 6-2, the 49ers now hold a two-game lead over both Arizona and the Seattle Seahawks. San Francisco is now 2-0 in the division and 3-1 on the road this season.

Alex Smith was a big part of the 49ers' dominating victory on Monday, completing 18-of-19 passes for 232 yards and three touchdowns. Smith's only incomplete pass came early in the first quarter. Michael Crabtree was Smith's main target against Arizona, catching five passes for 72 yards and a career-high two touchdowns. Randy Moss also got involved, reeling in a 47-yard touchdown pass.

The Cardinals offense was able to gain some yards against San Francisco, but struggled to extend drives and were kept off the scoreboard until Jay Feely kicked a field goal with less than a minute to play in the third quarter. Arizona converted just 2-of-14 third-down conversions and was unable to get any kind of a running game going, gaining just seven yards on nine rush attempts.

San Francisco finished with four sacks in the game, including two by Aldon Smith. The 49ers will now head into their bye week at 6-2.

Fantasy studs and duds

Michael Crabtree had the biggest game of the day, catching five passes for 72 yards and two touchdowns. Alex Smith threw for 232 yards and three touchdowns while also avoiding any turnovers.

Larry Fitzgerald had a quiet game, catching just five passes for 53 yards. Fitzgerald had just two catches until late in the fourth quarter.

Injury report

San Francisco reserve offensive lineman Daniel Kilgore suffered a concussion on the opening kickoff and did not return to the game.

Did they cover?

The 49ers opened as a 4-point favorite, a number which increased to seven points in some places. San Francisco covered both numbers easily.

What's next?

11/4 1 p.m. ET: Arizona at Green Bay

11/11 4:25 p.m. ET: San Fancisco vs. St. Louis

This story originally appeared on SBNation.com.

49ers vs. Cardinals score update: Randy Moss shows up, Niners lead through 3 quarters, 24-3

As he has grown accustomed to over the course of his career, Randy Moss showed up in a big way on football's greatest weekly stage. On Monday night, Moss caught his 18th touchdown pass in 19 career games on Monday Night Football.

He scored with a nifty catch and run on a 47-yard strike from Alex Smith that put the San Francisco 49ers up 24-0 in the third quarter.

Arizona responded by methodically driving down the field on a 14-play, 70-yard drive and putting up their first points of the contest on a 28-yard field goal by Jay Feely. That made the score 24-3 as the fourth quarter gets underway. The boos rung loudly throughout University of Phoenix Stadium as the home crowd was clearly unhappy with the team's inability to score a touchdown on the drive.

Smith has had a masterful performance, going 17-for-18 for 223 yards through three quarters and adding three touchdowns and no interceptions. The ground game has been efficient for the 49ers as well, as running back Frank Gore leads all rushers with 55 yards on 17 carries.

Michael Crabree has had a stellar game for the 49ers, amassing five catches for 72 yards and two touchdowns in the contest.

49ers vs. Cardinals score update: Niners offense dominates as San Francisco leads 17-0

Michael Crabtree and Alex Smith continue to be in synch as the San Francisco 49ers have dominated the Arizona Cardinals on Monday Night Football in Phoenix and lead the contest, 17-0 at the half.

Smith connected with Crabtree to cap an eight-play, 68-yard drive that took just two minutes, 48 seconds to complete in the second quarter. Crabtree leads all of the game's receivers with four catches for 42 yards and two touchdowns. Smith has been efficient in the first half, connecting on 14-of-15 passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns.

Arizona has struggled mightily on offense, and has just 42 total yards. The 49ers' vaunted run defense has lived up to its top billing and nearly held the Cardinals to negative yardage in the first half as running back LaRod Stephens-Howling carried the ball seven times for 6 yards on the ground.

The Cardinals will receive the ball to begin the second half.

49ers vs. Cardinals score update: 49ers lead 7-0 after Alex Smith TD pass

Alex Smith went 6-for-6 and capped off the 49ers 10-play, 77-yard drive with a three-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Michael Crabtree to give the San Francisco 49ers a 7-0 lead over the Arizona Cardinals after one quarter of play on Monday night.

The Niners continued to play their brand of smashmouth football and bait the Cardinals into stacking the box. Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter combined to carry the ball 11 times for a total of 67 yards on the ground.

Their relentless commitment to the running game is what allowed Smith to hit tight end Delanie Walker with a perfect 23-yard strike to set up the score.

Arizona began the game with promise when the first play of the game netted the Cardinals 24 yards on a screen pass from John Skelton to LaRod Stephens-Howling. The 49ers defense managed to induce a quick thee-and-out following the big play and would hold Arizona to just 22 total yards in the first quarter.

49ers vs. Cardinals preview: Arizona offense vs San Francisco defense - recipe for a shutout

A look at how poorly Arizona has performed on offense this season and why the 49ers will shut them out.

49ers vs. Cardinals injury report: Joe Staley returns to practice

After missing practice on Thursday due to an illness, Joe Staley returned to practice on Friday.

49ers vs. Cardinals preview: San Francisco defense needs to make statement on MNF

The San Francisco 49ers will have an opportunity to reassert themselves as one of the best teams in the NFL on a national stage, and it starts with their defense.

49ers vs. Cardinals injury report: Joe Staley misses practice due to illness

San Francisco's Joe Staley was the only player limited in practice on Thursday, as he sat out due to illness.

Frank Gore injury: 49ers running back fully participates in practice

Despite suffering a rib injury last week, Frank Gore was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

49ers vs. Cardinals pick and prediction: Taking San Francisco, of course

Once again, I'll be taking the San Francisco 49ers to win their game this week. This one's against the NFC West rival Arizona Cardinals.

Fantasy football 2012 sit/start: Trust the Niner running game

The Cardinals will host the Niners on Monday Night Football this week. What fantasy players are worth starting for the Niners in that game?

49ers vs. Cardinals betting lines & odds

After three straight home games, the 49ers will go on the road to face Arizona in a game which San Francisco opened as a 4-point betting favorite.

49ers vs. Cardinals: Will Vernon Davis finally get involved in passing game?

The 49ers have found ways to win in 2012 without arguably their best weapon in the passing game: Vernon Davis. But what good is such a weapon if you can't find SOME way to use him?