49ers strong vs. pass
Arizona Republic sports writer Bob McManaman breaks down Sunday’s game between the Cardinals and 49ers:
CARDINALS PASS OFFENSE VS. 49ERS PASS DEFENSE The 49ers had held four consecutive opponents to 100 net passing yards or fewer until Kyler Murray and the Cardinals’ passing game lit them up two weeks ago. Murray finished with 241 yards passing and two touchdowns in Arizona’s 28-25 loss as the Cardinals’ offense accounted for more yardage in the second half (275) than any of the 49ers’ five previous opponents had in an entire game. Murray is coming off a 324-yard, three-touchdown passing performance at Tampa Bay. San Francisco, however, ranks No. 1 against the pass (143.8) and it's a big reason why they have the league’s second-best scoring defense (14.3). Keep an eye on receiver Christian Kirk, who had six catches for a career-high 138 yards receiving and three touchdowns in the loss to the Buccaneers. Rookie Andy Isabella has slowly been worked in more and more to the offense in recent weeks and he caught an 88-yard touchdown pass against the 49ers.
Edge: 49ers
CARDINALS RUN OFFENSE VS. 49ERS RUN DEFENSE The last time these two teams met, the Cardinals had their third-best rushing output of the season. With Kenyan Drake making his Cardinals’ debut, Arizona ran for 153 total yards and Drake finished with 110 of them on 15 carries with a touchdown. Drake will likely get more chances to show what he can do a second time against a 49ers’ defense that ranks 18th against the rush (107.8 yards per game). Arizona is ranked 14th in total rushing, averaging 116 yards per game. It will be interesting to see how the Cardinals plan to use David Johnson, who was essentially benched in the fourth quarter in last week’s game against the Buccaneers. The 49ers’ front seven can be like a wall at times, but the Cardinals have to find a way to penetrate it in order to have a chance to win.
Edge: 49ers
49ERS PASS OFFENSE VS. CARDINALS PASS DEFENSE If the Cardinals can keep this game close, don’t be surprised if it comes down to how they do on third downs against Jimmy Garoppolo and the 49ers' passing offense. It’s an area the Cardinals’ defense has struggled with throughout the season and it just happens to be where San Francisco has found a way to shine. The 49ers have converted 48.8% of their thirddown attempts when passing, which is tops in the NFL. Arizona ranks second-to-last in pass defense (286.5) and has allowed at least one or more player to top 100-yard receiving yards in a game six times this season. Seattle had success Monday night by regularly blitzing Garoppolo, knocking him off his game and making him look confused when it mattered most. Look for Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson to travel with receiver Emmanuel Sanders as often as possible. Sanders got the best of Peterson last time out, catching seven passes for 112 yards and a touchdown.
Edge: 49ers
49ERS RUN OFFENSE VS. CARDINALS RUN DEFENSE
Running backs Matt Breida (ankle) and Raheem Mostert (knee) have been banged up and fellow running back Tevin Coleman missed practice Wednesday and Thursday because of a non injury-related situation. It’s the rushing attack where the 49ers’ offense really excels, too, so this is an area worth watching. San Francisco’s rush offense ranks second overall (161.8) and its 13 rushing touchdowns are tied for the thirdmost in the NFL. Arizona’s defensive line has been banged up lately and it could be short-handed come game time, which will be something to keep an eye on. Defensive tackle Corey Peters said depth concerns won’t be an issue and that the Cardinals will use the upcoming bye week to get healthy. Arizona managed to keep San Francisco out of the end zone in terms of rushing touchdowns two weeks ago. If the Cardinals tackle and swarm to the ball, they’ll have a chance to win this part of the game. Problem is, they haven’t done that nearly often enough.
Edge: 49ers
SPECIAL TEAMS
If this game comes down to a field goal, you have to like the Cardinals’ chances a lot more than the 49ers’. Zane Gonzalez has been nearly flawless in 2019 and with Robbie Gould missing Monday’s game because of a bothersome quadriceps muscle, emergency kicker Chase McLaughlin shanked an overtime field-goal attempt which cost the 49ers a chance to remain undefeated. Arizona also has the edge at punter with Andy Lee, who leads the NFL with a 48.6 net average. San Francisco’s Richie James Jr. is a threat to break one anytime he returns a kickoff or a punt, so the Cardinals’ coverage teams must try to limit his running lanes as much as possible.
Edge: Cardinals
OVERALL
The Cardinals have a chance, if for no other reason than because of what they did against the 49ers in the second half of their first meeting. In that game, Arizona had second-half scoring drives of 85, 88 and 90 yards. TStill, this is a road game in a very loud stadium and there’s all sorts of chances for things to go wrong.
Pick: 49ers 23, Cardinals 17