Football: 49ers tilt offense back toward ground game

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) - The San Francisco 49ers are at their best offensively when they get Frank Gore involved and keep going to their star running back.

That was never more evident than Monday night against the Arizona Cardinals, when Gore had 27 touches and rushed for 167 yards to lead a 24-9 upset that kept the 49ers alive in the NFC playoff chase.

Gore had more yards rushing against Arizona than he did in San Francisco's three previous games combined. And the 49ers produced 1 of their most consistent offensive performances of the year to sweep the season series from the NFC West-leading Cardinals.

It tilted the balance of the offense back to the ground after the 49ers had mixed results going with more of a spread offense that filled the air with passes.