Cards notebook: 5 forced turnovers key vs. 49ers

SAN FRANCISCO - Forcing five turnovers is pretty much a 100 percent proven formula for winning a football game.

That’s what the Cardinals did here Sunday afternoon.

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And that’s why they sit in first place in the NFC West at 1-0.

“We’ve been together for a year,” noted coach Ken Whisenhunt of his defense. “That showed up today. They made some great plays.”

The Cardinals used a mix of basic coverages and pressure maneuvers to keep the 49ers off-balance.

“We have a lot more pieces,” than in the past, said safety Adrian Wilson, who had an interception.

“We have guys who can do a lot of things well.”

Said linebacker/defensive end Bertrand Berry, who forced a fumble, “We have a lot of playmakers out there. Guys can spell the next guy and there’s no drop-off.

“It makes for an explosive defense and a consistent defense.”

SENDLEIN RISING

Few undrafted players have risen as far and as quickly as Lyle Sendlein

Sendlein was one of the hits of training camp last year. He surprised everyone by making the roster and playing in a couple of games at center when starter Al Johnson went down with a knee injury.

He’s now the starter after the Cardinals placed Johnson on injured reserve for the season on Saturday.

One of the reasons, according to general manager Rod Graves, was Sendlein’s play. “Lyle’s ability to start and play at a high level certainly gave us the confidence and flexibility to make this move,” Graves said.

“When deciding the makeup of the 53-man roster, one challenge is whether we need to carry a player (Johnson) without knowing when he might be able to contribute, or how long.”

After Sunday’s win, Sendlein pronounced himself “pretty happy from a mental standpoint,” that all his calls on the 49ers’ defensive alignments — a big part of a center’s job — seemed correct.

At the same time, he said he had “a few technique errors” and that he can improve his play.

STILL A PROBLEM

The Cardinals still haven’t solved their penalty dilemma.

They had only four for 40 yards, but two — by offensive linemen Mike Gandy and Reggie Wells — came when the Cardinals had the ball near the Niners’ goal line.

“That was unfortunate,” Whisenhunt said. “But it’s a lot easier to take when you win the game.”

STAT NOTES

Edgerrin James rushed 26 times for 100 yards, the 56th time in his career he has reached triple digits and the seventh time as a Cardinal.

Also, kicker Neil Rackers became the second player in Cardinals history to surpass 500 career points.

He has a ways to go to catch No. 1, as Jim Bakken, also a kicker, scored 1,380 points.

Anquan Boldin, who had eight catches for 82 yards, moved into sixth place in team history in receptions; he has 421 in his career.

TRICK PLAY

The Cardinals pulled something out of the bag when they installed rookie cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie as a receiver. They threw him a deep pass, too, although it fell incomplete.

A 49ers defender seemed to push off on the play, but did not draw a flag.

SPECIAL PLAY

With the exception of a 35-yard missed field goal by Rackers, the Cardinals’ special teams had their way with the 49ers.

Not only did they recover a short “pooch” kickoff, punter Dirk Johnson had a 45-yard net average and had two punts downed inside the 20.