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Things can change in a hurry in the National Football League. No game is more proof of that than Sunday’s second meeting between the San Francisco 49ers (10-2) and Arizona Cardinals (5-7). Three weeks ago, the 49ers defeated the Cardinals 23-7 at Candlestick Park. Since then, however, the Cardinals have a healthy starting quarterback and have won back-to-back games over the St. Louis Rams and Dallas Cowboys. With both teams looking to finish strong in the fourth quarter of their respective seasons, let’s examine five things to track when these two division rivals clash on Sunday.

1. Young Perimeter Play-Makers

Michael Crabtree enjoyed success in the 49ers previous meeting against the Cardinals and carried that play over the next two weeks. Crabtree has 270 of his 605 receiving yards in the last three games. His best statistical performance of the year, seven catches for 120 yards, came at rookie Patrick Peterson’s expense. The 49ers targeted Crabtree 10 times that day, including six targets in the first half alone. Alex Smith hasn’t forgotten about Crabtree’s stellar play either. “I remember after that game, obviously we watched the film, and Crabtree was sparking us all day,” the 49ers quarterback said. “I think it really lifted us as an offense. (He) just kept continuing to make plays and when he was one-on-one, (he was) winning. I’m sure they both remember that and will be ready to go on Sunday. I anticipate, obviously, those two matching up.” Smith and Crabtree hooked up on a 52-yard touchdown last week against the Rams, accentuated by a clever touchdown dance by the third-year wideout. It’ll be interesting to see how many times the 49ers attack Peterson and Arizona’s 19th-ranked pass defense down the field. This season, Cardinals opponents have averaged 251.1 passing yards per game with 13 touchdowns to nine interceptions.

2. When Buckeyes Collide

Patrick Willis has been hampered this week with a hamstring injury that caused him to miss most of a 26-0 win over St. Louis. In his place, Larry Grant filled in solidly with five tackles and a sack. “With all my friends and family watching,” said Grant, a Bay Area native, “it meant a lot for me able to play and to do some good things for my team.” Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said he didn’t change his play-calling with Grant in the game. The only change might be who gets the radio helmet to relay calls from the defensive coaches. With only one allowed on the field, it could be given to NaVorro Bowman this week. If Grant gets his first start of the season this week, he’s slated to face former college teammate, Cardinals running back Beanie Wells. Arizona’s featured runner has done well this season, but has also been hampered with injuries as of late. Knee, hamstring and thumb injuries caused him to practice on a limited basis Thursday and Friday. The 49ers have yet to allow a rushing touchdown this season, making the 12-game stretch the longest single-season streak of its kind since 1970.

3. Rookie Sack Record

As a rookie, Aldon Smith’s pass-rushing prowess has become an impressive asset to an already salty defense. In a nickel pass-rushing role predominantly, Smith has 9.5 sacks and needs three more to tie Charles Haley’s team record of most single-season sacks by a rookie. Haley totaled 12.5 in 1986. This week, Smith will face a Cardinals offensive line that has allowed 41 sacks on the year. When the teams met in Week 11, Smith dropped backup quarterback Richard Bartel in the fourth quarter for a six-yard loss. The only thing more exciting than watching Smith use his 6-foot-4, 248-pound body to take down opposing quarterbacks is watching him celebrating it. Smith’s second celebration of his two-sack performance against the Rams even earned YouTube recognition, as he sprinted to the sideline immediately to sit down comfortably on the team bench. The No. 7 overall draft pick has been relentless as a pass-rusher and will need more of that approach against Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb, a respected scrambler according to Fangio. “His scrambling and athletic ability jumps off the tape at me. He hurt Dallas last week scrambling several times. Once, a couple of times where he pulled it down and made good yards scrambling, and then when he scrambled to buy more time and hurt them with the throw… He’s got a big arm, Kolb does, a little more experienced. But Kolb’s got a lot of ability and he’s going to be a good quarterback for them for a long time.” The same can be said for Smith, who continues to impact games in the 49ers favor.

4. Fly Sweeps

Daring to be different, the 49ers have found ways to utilize the blistering speed of some their top perimeter players. On 12 occasions this season, non-49ers running backs have carried the football on designed running plays. Wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. leads the way with seven carries for 62 yards, good for 8.9 yards per rush. Last week, the 49ers ran three reverse plays, with two of them being designed fly sweeps for big gains. Kyle Williams’ 25-yard run was the longest 49ers running play of the day. The effective misdirection plays have been another feather in the hat of Greg Roman’s offensive system. Head coach Jim Harbaugh credited the fly sweeps to Sacred Heart Prep Coach Pete Lavorato, who taught the plays to Harbaugh’s Stanford staff years back. With burners at receiver and tight end, the 49ers have been able to use various designed runs to play off the between-the-tackles running threat Frank Gore provides weekly. In comparison, the Cardinals have handed off twice to non-receivers on the year, including once to Peterson, the rookie cornerback.

5. Road Rebound

At 4-1, the 49ers have the league’s second best road record in 2011. Only the undefeated Packers have a better standing away from home. San Francisco’s first road loss came two weeks ago in a Thursday night defeat to the Baltimore Ravens. Prior to the 16-6 loss, the 49ers won four straight games in the Eastern Time zone. Traveling to Arizona won’t be as tough of an adjustment, but the Cardinals have been tough to beat in the desert. In 2010, Arizona picked up four of its five wins at home. This season, they’ve won three of their five home contests. So when the 49ers look to make it six wins in a row over the Cardinals this Sunday, a victory would also give them three road wins in a row against their NFC West foe.