NFL
San Francisco 49ers And Arizona Cardinals Rematch
The San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals met just three weeks ago in Week 5 but will face off again this upcoming Sunday. Last time, the Cardinals, led by rookie quarterback Josh Rosen, took the win 28-18.
The Niners will be looking to redeem themselves this week when they travel to the University of Phoenix Stadium, providing much-needed confidence for not only players but fans alike. The Cardinals will also be desperate for the win to boost their season.
The Niners and Cardinals are two of the worst teams in the NFL this season. With both sides currently sitting at 1-6, it’s anybody’s guess how this game will turn out.
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers will look to bounce back after the L.A. Rams trounced them last week. They will need to see improvement across the board to avoid a loss to the Cardinals, a team they should beat statistically. The Niners rank second in rushing yards in the league and will likely see Kyle Shanahan place emphasis on the run game.
The Cardinals have so far this season been abysmal in defending against the rush. Their defense is last in rushing yards. If Matt Breida can overcome an ankle injury in time for Sunday, it will provide Shanahan with that much-needed boost on offense.
Last week saw C.J. Beathard regress to his rookie self from last season. He completed 15-27 for 170 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. He was sacked seven times throughout the game, and while he cannot be blamed for all of them, he does have to take some responsibility.
Beathard has continued to hold the ball for too long in an attempt to make plays instead of throwing it away. He will need a quicker ball release this week and remain aware of his surroundings. Improvement is also needed on his accuracy and ball security.
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Defensively the 49ers are still struggling, ranked 31st in points allowed. The pass rush continues to be fairly non-existent. While the secondary, besides Richard Sherman, has failed to produce as a unit. With the Cardinals’ offense one of the worst in the league, this week will be the defense’s chance to create a spark and make some big plays.
Injuries
Matt Breida continues to undergo treatment for an ankle injury. Pierre Garçon has injuries to his shoulder and knee. Solomon Thomas has a thigh injury.
Weston Richburg also has a knee injury while Richard Sherman is receiving treatment for an ongoing calf issue. Dante Pettis is a possibility to return this week from a knee injury.
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals will look to regain some momentum after being demolished by the Denver Broncos in Week 7. In a season that has been far from perfect, the Cardinals will have one of their best chances of getting another win this week.
The Cardinals’ offense is a mess. They rank last, coming in at 32nd for both rushing yards and total yards. They are 31st in passing yards and also points per game. Their lead rusher David Johnson has managed only 335 yards this season while leading receiver Christian Kirk has 368 yards. However, opposite a struggling 49ers defense, if they can make some plays and take advantage of opportunities, they are in with a shot.
Josh Rosen has not had a stellar start since taking over from Sam Bradford. Last week saw him complete 21-39 for 194 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions. He currently has a completion rate of 55.0% and a quarterback rating of 66. Much like Beathard, he will need to ensure accurate throws to his receivers and focus on ball security.
If he can place well-timed balls his receivers, he will have every opportunity to compete with the 49ers’ secondary. Rosen also received six sacks against the Broncos. While the 49ers lack a pass rush, the offensive line will need to improve and provide protection and time for Rosen to throw.
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The defense will likely continue to struggle against the run game. With the Niners continuing to run the ball well, defensive backs and the secondary will need to work in unison to ensure they cover assignments and coverage. If the Cardinals have a chance of winning this game, it will be through an effective run defense.
Injuries
Tre Boston has injuries to his shoulder and ribs. Phil Dawson has a right hip injury. Mike Iupati has a back injury while Corey Peters has an injured ankle. Justin Pugh has a hand injury, and Jeremy Vujnovich is continuing treatment for a hamstring injury.
The San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals game kicks off at 1:25 pm PDT and 4:25 pm EDT.
Photo Credit
Featured Image courtesy of Aaron Sholl
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