Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/608079
ROSSD.FRANKLIN—THEASSOCIATEDPRESS Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half of a game in Glendale, Arizona. ByCanInman BayAreaNewsGroup SANTA CLARA Missed tackles, blown assignments and big-play generosity have become the un- characteristic hallmarks of the 49ers defense. Now the 49ers are preparing to face the NFL's top-ranked offense, as the Arizona Cardinals visit Levi's Stadium on Sunday. "As they say, the show must go on," safety Eric Reid said Wednes- day, in the wake of allowing 209 rushing yards to undrafted rookie Thomas Rawls as the 49ers fell 29- 13 Sunday at Seattle. "Unfortunately, injuries hap- pened, and we miss some guys that left," Reid added. "You keep fight- ing and hold guys accountable next to you." Getting to know the guy next to you is an increasing chore for a de- fense that used to be known as a perennial power. Defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey (knee) has joined strong safety An- toine Bethea (pectoral) on season- ending injured reserve, robbing the 49ers of two veterans known as much for their leadership as their steady play. Of course, that defense already has had trouble adapting without mainstay players from past years: Justin Smith, Patrick Willis, Aldon Smith, Ray McDonald, Chris Cul- liver, Perrish Cox, Chris Borland and more. The 49ers defense ranks 28th overall in yards allowed per game, and 27th against both the pass and rush. Coach Jim Tomsula said the 49ers must cut down on men- tal mistakes and pre-snap pen- alties. "It's hard enough defeat- ing the opponent," Tomsula said Wednesday. "Don't do things that make you have to compete against yourself." Playing error-free defense has been an incomplete task. "It seems like every week it's something else," Reid said. "We fix something from one week, then fal- ter elsewhere. We've got to fire on all cylinders, and this is the best game to do that." 49ERS Nextforreelingdefense:Cardinals Arizonaisleague's top-ranked offense By Nesha Starcevic The Associated Press GHENT, BELGIUM Andy Murray ended a 77-year wait for a British man to win the Wimbledon title and he is on the verge of snapping an even longer drought in the Da- vis Cup final. The best-of-five series between Britain and Belgium starts Friday with David Goffin playing Kyle Edmund, who will be making his Davis Cup debut in the final. Mur- ray then plays Ruben Bemelmans, who was surprisingly picked over higher-ranked Steve Darcis. Captains can change their picks and Belgium's Johan van Herck has indicated that he could take advantage of that option. "The weekend will be long," van Herck said. "I think we took the best decision and we'll see who will play Saturday and Sunday." Murray said he was not both- ered by the prospect of perhaps playing three matches in three days. "I am happy to take as much pressure on my shoulder as needed," Murray said after the draw, where he was also listed to play in Saturday's doubles. "I should be fine here. "There's nerves there, obvi- ously. That's really a positive thing. When I'm not nervous is normally when I worry a little bit. It's obvi- ously a big opportunity for all of us. I believe that we prepared as best we can," Murray said. The 20-year-old Edmund got the nod after convincing captain Leon Smith in practice. TENNIS An dy M ur ra y leads Britain's Da vi s Cu p bid By Schuyler Dixon The Associated Press ARLINGTON,TEXAS Cam Newton sprinted to a corner of the $1.2 bil- lion showplace of the Dallas Cow- boys, pointing a camera at cele- brating Carolina fans while ges- turing to them with a wide smile. A few minutes later, a somber Tony Romo talked to reporters with his left arm in a sling for the second time this season because of a collarbone injury. The Panthers are 11-0 after a 33-14 victory in their Thanksgiv- ing debut, and the Cowboys could be facing another long stretch without Romo in what has be- come a lost season for the defend- ing NFC East champions. Luke Kuechly and Kurt Cole- man returned two of Romo's three interceptions for touch- downs, and Newton ran for the Panthers' only offensive score as they pushed their NFL-best win- ning streak to 15 regular-season games Thursday. "Well, we got a lot of help from our defense," Newton said. "De- fense went out there and brought their A-game and made our job a lot easier." Romo's first collarbone injury sidelined him for all seven games of a losing streak that severely damaged the chances for another playoff trip by the Cowboys (3-8). NFL Ro mo h ur t again in 33-14 Da ll as l os s By Genaro C. Armas The Associated Press GREENBAY, WIS. Jay Cutler and the Chicago Bears spoiled Brett Favre's big night back with the Green Bay Packers. Cutler threw for 200 yards and a score and the Bears held off the Packers on fourth-and- goal from the 8 with 22 seconds left for a 17-13 victory Thursday night. Aaron Rodgers' throw to the end zone deflected off receiver Davante Adams' hands in the cold rain. James Jones couldn't hang on to a potential touch- down catch on third down. Cornerback Tracy Porter in- tercepted Rodgers' pass with 3:19 left at the Bears 45 on the previous drive. The highlight of the night for Green Bay turned out to be the return of Favre, whose name and No. 4 was unveiled at half- time next to the team's other re- tired numbers. Chicago (5-6) has won three of its last four. The Packers (7- 4) lost a second straight home game. Jeremy Langford ran for 48 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries for Chicago. Cutler finished 19 of 31. He outplayed Rodgers, who was 22 of 43 for 202 yards and a touch- down. Favre's successor at quarter- back stayed in the game after appearing to hurt his left arm in the third quarter after getting hit from behind near the elbow by linebacker Lamarr Houston while recovering a high snap. Cutler was a little better, somewhat of a surprise given how poorly he has played at Lambeau in his career with the Bears. In his four previous games at Lambeau, all losses, Cutler has thrown 12 interceptions. With driving rain drenching the field, Cutler calmly led the Bears on a clock-eating drive in the fourth quarter that kept Rodgers on the bench with Chi- cago leading 17-13. Cutler hit Marc Mariani on third-and-10 for a 21-yard gain to the Packers 44 with 7:38 left. Then the Packers caught a break after Cutler mishandled a shot- gun snap on third-and-11 to set up a punt. The Packers couldn't capital- ize. They moved the quickly up the field on their final two drives only to come up short. Robbie Gould's 21-yard field goal in the fourth quarter for Chicago was the only scoring for either team in the second half in a game played dreary condi- tions. It put ball security at a pre- mium. Eddie Lacy fumbled deep in Bears territory in the second quarter after getting hit from behind. Cutler cashed in on Chi- cago's next drive by finding Zack Miller for a 3-yard touchdown pass that tied it at 7 with 6:03 left in the half. Lacy ran for 105 yards on 17 carries, and also scored on a 25- yard catch-and-run. THANKSGIVING FOOTBALL BEARS HOLD OFF PACKERS ON RAINY LAMBEAU FIELD Favre jersey retired during hal ime JEFFREY PHELPS — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday in Green Bay, Wis. MORRY GASH — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers is hit by Chicago Bears' Shea McClellin a er throwing a pass during the second half Thursday in Green Bay. MIKE ROEMER — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Brett Favre speaks during a ceremony at hal ime of an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears. Favre's retired No. 4and name were unveiled inside Lambeau Field during the ceremony. SPORTS » redbluffdailynews.com Friday, November 27, 2015 MORE AT FACEBOOK.COM/RBDAILYNEWS AND TWITTER.COM/REDBLUFFNEWS B1