The Niners, who have already clinched the NFC West title, have defeated the Cardinals the last five times they've played, including a 23-7 decision last month in San Francisco.

Over the last few years, there has been an increase in the bad blood between the two teams brewing, a fact not lost on the Cardinals. But due to the fact that the 49ers have owned this pairing as of late, one Arizona player was hesitant to term it a rivalry.

"For it to be a rivalry, you gotta beat them," wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald said. "Sometimes they might beat you, but for there to a rivalry, you've got to go out there and win."

Defensive end Calais Campbell disagreed somewhat with his teammate. "This is our biggest rivalry," he said. "This is the one team that I really dislike more than others."

The 49ers' recent ownership of the Cardinals includes two straight wins at University of Phoenix Stadium, a trend Fitzgerald wants to stop on Sunday to keep Arizona's slim playoff chances alive.

"We have to reclaim home field, they beat us two times here over the last two years, and that's not supposed to happen," he said. "We've got to come out and play much better."

Arizona Sports' Craig Grialou contributed to this report