49ers, Smith almost perfect

Associated Press

GLENDALE, Ariz.

On an almost perfect Monday night for Alex Smith, the San Francisco 49ers flexed their NFC West dominance with a 24-3 flattening of the Arizona Cardinals.

Smith completed 18 of 19 passes for 232 yards and three touchdowns two to Michael Crabtree and one to Randy Moss, as San Francisco (6-2) opened a two-game lead in the division and sent Arizona (4-4) to its fourth straight lost.

Smith’s only incompletion was dropped by a wide-open receiver.

Smith was 14 of 15 and for 146 yards and two touchdowns, both to Crabtree, to help the 49ers build a 17-0 halftime lead.

Eagles stick with Vick

Michael Vick remains the starting quarterback in Philadelphia, for now.

Three people familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Monday night that coach Andy Reid hasn’t benched Vick.

The people spoke on condition of anonymity because all announcements about the starting lineup come from Reid. The Eagles’ headquarters was closed Monday due to Superstorm Sandy, and there was no media availability.

Vick, the four-time Pro Bowl quarterback, has struggled this season and Philadelphia (3-4) has lost three straight games.

Reid didn’t endorse Vick after Sunday’s 30-17 loss to Atlanta, saying he’s going to evaluate all his starters. Vick then said he would support whatever decision Reid makes.

That led to speculation Vick’s days were numbered. But Reid is sticking with Vick over unproven rookie Nick Foles as of now.

Reid has changed his mind on his starting quarterbacks in a 24-hour period before, reversing his call on Kevin Kolb and replacing him with Vick in 2010. It’s unlikely he would do it again and give Foles his first NFL snap on the road in a Monday night game against New Orleans (2-5) next week.