The 49ers’ 3-1 start is a distant memory, faded behind a three-game losing streak that has dropped them to 3-4 and surpassed by the Cardinals for first place in the NFC West.

San Francisco now finds itself needing to rebound with back-to-back home wins, but the pressure isn’t so much on the players to do so. Whether or not the 49ers can get out of this rut lies squarely on the shoulders of head coach Mike Singletary, writes San Jose Mercury columnist Tim Kawakami:

He can inspire, we know that. He can enunciate a clear message that resonates in the locker room, the executive suite and on billboards and in commercials everywhere.

As an icon, he’s a keeper: Singletary is colorful, he is straightforward, he is authentic and he long ago earned the right to try to elevate the 49ers. …

Let’s see if Singletary is fluid enough and canny enough to negotiate his team through this lull. Let’s see if pure adrenaline and passionate belief blends into good, consistent coaching.

Other stories from around the web on Tuesday:

• TE Owen Daniels’ injury gives him the opportunity to prove the Texans wrong — again.

• As it turns out, the Vikings have also outperformed the Packers in the offseason.

• The Saints defense is a force, not a farce.

• The play of Panthers DE Julius Peppers has been on the money.

• Steelers WR Santonio Holmes’ sickle cell is not affected by the altitude of Denver.