The 49ers won in Arizona when Neil Rackers missed a field goal in overtime and Kurt Warner was later sacked in his end zone, causing him to fumble. The 49ers recovered for the victory. In that game, receiver Larry Fitzgerald caught a 48-yard Hail Mary for a touchdown as the first half ended.

--There are some similarities between these two teams. Both are among the few NFC teams that run a 3-4. Both have backup quarterbacks who were high draft picks. This is the third consecutive year they've met in the season opener. Both have young weak inside linebackers who are among the best in the NFC. The 49ers have Patrick Willis and the Cardinals have Karlos Dansby.

Several 49ers assistant used to be with the Cardinals including receivers coach Jerry Sullivan, offensive line coach George Warhop and tight ends coach Pete Hoener. Cardinals linebackers coach Bill Davis was the defensive coordinator for 49ers coach Mike Nolan for two years.

--When asked for one of his favorite opening day memories, Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt thought back to 1987, when he played for the Falcons, who opened at Tampa Bay.

--"I happened to be standing right beside Laura Branigan, who was singing the national anthem and she actually lip-synched it," Whisenhunt said. "And I was stunned. I know that's not a football memory but it's one of my memories."

--Dennis Green failed as a Cardinals head coach, but he knew how to beat the 49ers. Green was 4-2 against San Francisco, winning the last four meetings. His only two losses came by the identical score of 31-28 in 2004. Oh, yeah, both games went to overtime.