SAN FRANSCISCO, Calif., Dec. 24 (UPI) -- Arizona raced to a 20-6 halftime lead Sunday and held on to beat the San Francisco 49ers, 26-20.
The Cardinals forged their halftime advantage on two field goals by Neil Rackers; a six-yard second quarter touchdown pass by Matt Leinart to Larry Fitzgerald; and a five-yard second quarter touchdown run by Marcel Shipp; while Joe Nedney booted two field goals for San Francisco.
Rackers kicked two more field goals in the second half; Leinart passed for 162 yards; Kurt Warner completed 9 of 13 passes for 105 yards; Edgerrin James rushed for 105 yards on 29 carries; and Larry Fitzgerald scored once on four catches for 93 for the Cardinals (5-10), who have won three of their last four games.
Frank Gore ran for two touchdowns to go along with Nedney's field goals for the 49ers (6-9), who were eliminated from the NFC playoff chase with the fourth loss in their last five games.
Warner played when Matt Leinart sprained his left shoulder late in the first half and did not return.
