Cards, 49ers take West battle to Mexico City
When Arizona Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury was asked if he thought Kyler Murray would be back in the lineup as his starting quarterback against the 49ers in Mexico City on “Monday Night Football” after missing last week’s game at the Rams with a tender hamstring, he took a pass.
It was early in the week, after all, and in the spirit of gamesmanship in the NFL, why tip off the 49ers if he even had an inkling?
“I was really bad at predicting Budda last week, so I don’t want to get into predicting Kyler,” Kingsbury said referring to safety Buda Baker, who played 80% of the snaps at L.A. despite a high ankle sprain and the coach saying Baker had
“zero percent” chance of playing.
Veteran backup Colt McCoy wound up getting the start against the Rams and he helped save the day in a 27-17 victory, and although he hurt his knee late in the game, it could either be him or Murray who gets the start Monday night at Estadio Azteca.
Regardless of who starts, it’s a mustwin game for Arizona and it’s important to know just how instrumental McCoy, 36, has been to Murray, 25, in the year and a half that they’ve been together.
“It’s huge,” Kingsbury said. “Since he’s been here, you’ve seen Kyler’s level of play has been elevated. It’s a lot to do with Colt and how he views the game and how he processes the games and how he talks through the game with Kyler. You can’t put a price tag on what he’s meant for him and this entire organization.”
Whether Murray decides to pull off a Baker moment and force himself to play or if waits another week and watches from the sideline, he appreciates all the intangibles McCoy has been able to offer.
“He’s been around so much football, been around so many great coaches, dealt with a lot of players, schemes, just a real intelligent football player,” Murray said. “Obviously, a great friend. He’s got that father figure-type vibe to him. All the guys look to him, can trust him. He’s really reliable, accountable, he’s a great teammate. To have him in my corner … there’s nothing more I could ask for out of a guy.”
MATCHUP: San Francisco 49ers (4-5) vs. Arizona Cardinals (4-6).
KICKOFF: 6:15 p.m. Monday, Estadio Azteca, Mexico City.
TV/RADIO: ESPN/Westwood Sports, Arizona Sports (98.7 FM), KHOV (105.1 FM).
Arizona Republic sportswriter Bob McManaman breaks down Monday’s game between the Cardinals and 49ers:
Cardinals pass offense vs. 49ers pass defense
A key for the Cardinals last week against the Rams was Colt McCoy’s ability to get the ball out efficiently and on time. According to Zebra Technology, McCoy’s average time on throws was just 2.13 seconds — the fastest of any NFL QB in Week 10 and the second-fastest of any QB all season. It helped him complete 26 of 37 passes for 238 yards and a touchdown. He did it with four new starters along the offensive line and considering that could be the case again, quick passes figure to be the name of the game for whoever starts at quarterback. The 49ers’ defensive line and front seven are among the best in the entire league and there cannot be any needless delays in passing situations, no matter the down and distance. It might be asking too much to expect that to happen in consecutive weeks.
EDGE: 49ers
Cardinals run offense vs. 49ers run defense
It’s the James Conner Show for as long as he can hold up and stay productive and available, which has been hit-andmiss this season. After releasing backup Eno Benjamin, don’t expect coach Kliff Kingsbury to shy away from Conner as the featured back. He’s earned the right to be the team’s bell cow now that he looks completely healthy and able to sustain a heavy workload. It will be interesting to see how many carries rookie Keaontay Ingram gets and who ends up being the No. 2 ball carrier between Corey Clement or possibly Ty’Son Williams, both of whom have been on the practice squad. San Francisco’s run defense is the best in the league, allowing just 82.7 yards per game, so it probably doesn’t matter. Beware of MIKE linebacker Fred Warner.
EDGE: 49ers
49ers pass offense vs. Cardinals pass defense
Jimmy Garoppolo might only rank 19th overall in passing yards (1,931), but he has the league’s sixth-best passer rating (100.0) and 11 touchdown passes to just four interceptions. That doesn’t mean he still can’t get rattled, which he’s proven over the course of his career. When he’s under duress, he is prone to make mistakes, especially in the latter stages of games. For the Cardinals to gain the edge here, they have to sustain a healthy pass rush, which starts with a solid interior push by Zach Allen and J.J. Watt, but they’re going to need edgerushing help from elsewhere. Markus Golden is overdue for a big game. Rookie Myjai Sanders, meanwhile, is just starting to come alive and could be a player to watch. But keep an eye on others such as Zaven Collins and Isaiah Simmons, who get opportunities to rush the passer as well. The secondary will step up, regardless of whom is on the field. They’ve shown that.
EDGE: Cardinals
49ers run offense vs. Cardinals run defense
This, to me, is likely where the game is won or lost. 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey is a multi-purpose threat the Cardinals have seen multiple times in the past, including once already this season when he was still with the Panthers. The Cardinals could sell the farm by stuffing the box with eight men to keep him in check, daring Garoppolo to beat them with his arm, but by doing so they risk the chance of letting McCaffrey beat them on screen passes or intermediate throws where he is able to accelerate in open spaces. Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph needs to have the perfect game plan for Arizona to succeed, but it can happen if his defenders are able to execute and make some clutch plays.
EDGE: Cardinals
Special teams
Something tells me this game will come down to a late field goal, and if it does, it could swing in either team’s favor. Both kickers, San Francisco’s Robbie Gould, and the Cardinals’ Matt Prater, are capable veterans.
Prater owns one of the strongest legs the league has ever seen, having kicked the most field goals from 50 yards and beyond in NFL history.
The fact he’s been nursing a sore right hip for multiple weeks is a concern, yes, but don’t be surprised if he nails a gamechanging long field goal in this one, especially in the high altitude of Mexico City.
EDGE: Cardinals
Overall
Call me crazy, but in a game where both teams’ backs are against the wall, I’m siding with the Cardinals this week and knowing what’s on the line, believe they’ll deliver in a strange, low-scoring game that still will be full of some surprises.
Pick: Cardinals 20, 49ers 16
What to look for
SERIES HISTORY: This is the 62nd meeting overall between the two clubs and the 49ers lead the all-time series 3229-0. The Cardinals have held the upper hand in recent years, however, winning 11 of the past 14 matchups, including a series sweep last season. This a rematch of the 2005 Sunday night showdown in Mexico City when Arizona came back from a 14-0, first-quarter deficit against the 49ers to earn a 31-14 win.
DID YOU KNOW? The Cardinals have used an NFL-high 76 different players this season, which is six more than any other team in the league through Week 10. Arizona has had 29 different players miss a combined 132 games due to injuries this season, not counting receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who missed the first six games due to a suspension.
HE SAID IT: “They’re a very good team. They have weapons all over the place. They’re unbelievable at making guys miss when it comes to tackling because they’re really good at open field running, so it’s a matter of us doing our jobs and then all swarming to the ball and trying to tackle and get them down.” – Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt
Keys to the game
THE CARDINALS WILL WIN IF ... They get the ball out quickly, can find a decent rushing attack and the defense allows less than three big chunk plays.
THE 49ERS WILL WIN IF ... Garoppolo is allowed time to move around and reset, McCaffrey goes off as a runner or pass catcher, and the front seven on defense can apply consistent pressure in the backfield.
Matchup to watch
Cardinals LG Cody Ford vs. 49ers RDT Arik Armstead
As much as the Cardinals must try to contain pass rusher Nick Bosa, and that will be a choice in itself between rookie right guard Lecitus Smith and right tackle Kelvin Beachum, who were superb last week against the Rams’ Aaron Donald, Armstead is a menace who could wreck this game if Arizona isn’t careful. That means Ford will need to step up and keep Armstead out of the pocket and get him out of potential passing lanes. Expect some mass-protection fronts by O-line coach Sean Kugler throughout this game.