49ers' defense faces tough task: it's no stretch

Eric Branch, Chronicle Staff Writer

After the Cardinals' 21-19 victory over the 49ers a week ago Sunday, Arizona head coach Ken Whisenhunt noted that his team made some "stretch-the-field plays that we thought we could attack them with."

Those field-stretchers, of course, were delivered by backup quarterback John Skelton, who had completions of 60, 53 and 46 yards.

Next could be a far more formidable challenge for the secondary in Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and his tandem of blazing wideouts in Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown.

Wallace and Brown have combined for 117 catches, 1,959 yards and eight receptions of 40 or more yards this season. Through Week 14, among players with more than 25 catches this season, Brown ranked 10th in yards per reception (16.8) and Wallace ranked 11th (16.7).

San Francisco defensive coordinator Vic Fangio acknowledged the issues on the back end against Arizona are cause for worry with Pittsburgh visiting Candlestick Park.

"Well, there's always a concern, particularly now when you're following that game with the Steelers, who throw the ball deep by design and have a bunch of fast receivers," Fangio said. "It's always a concern, but I don't see it as an epidemic coming."

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