Our first late afternoon game shows up on the schedule as the San Francisco 49ers (0-3) try to get their first win of the season against the lackluster Arizona Cardinals (1-2) at University of Phoenix Stadium.
The game kicks off at 4:05 p.m. EST and will be broadcast for your enjoyment on your local FOX affiliate.
The Game: San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals (-7)
O/U: 44.5
The History
The 49ers and the Cardinals have been NFC West rivals since 2002, but have been facing off since 1951 when the Cards were still in Chicago. The 49ers lead the all time series 29-22.
Arizona has won the last four games in the rivalry, with two by one score and two blowouts.
The longest 49ers win streak stretched to five games twice. The first was from December, 1993 to December, 2002. The second started in September, 2009 and went to November, 2011.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (0-3)
The 49ers offense came to life last week against the Los Angeles Rams, producing 39 points in what still turned out to be a loss. Brian Hoyer must have really felt the pressure was off as he lit up the Rams secondary for 23 of 37 passing for 332 yards and two touchdowns. Carlos Hyde was solid on the ground with 25 carries worth 84 yards and two scores.
What does that mean this week? Who knows?
The Cardinals are usually stout against the run, but the 49ers found a few plays that worked in the passing game. Pierre Garcon caught seven passes for 142 yards and Marquise Goodwin caught two for 62.
The problem for the 49ers last week was their defense. They produced no sacks at all. Jared Goff had a clean pocket to work through most of the night and they barely sniffed the backfield at all. If not for a couple of Rams turnovers, one on special teams, this game would not have been that close.
Still, Kyle Shanahan is a smart guy, Super Bowl 51 notwithstanding. He’ll have a gameplan to attack this Cardinals defense. Whether Hoyer can pull it off with expectations high after his Week Three performance is a whole other matter.
ARIZONA CARDINALS (1-2)
The Arizona Cardinals’ band wagon has emptied faster than a Miss Universe dressing room that Donald Trump just walked into waving his baby hands. If you just looked at the stats from last week, Carson Palmer was effective. He threw for 325 yards and two touchdowns.
But you have to go deeper than that. The Cardinals were eight of 18 on third downs and had just two rushing first downs in the entire game. They also dominated time of possession 36:15 to 23:45 against the Cowboys and still lost by double digits. What does that mean?
It means the Cardinals spent a whole lot of time doing next to nothing and the Cowboys scored on a lot of big plays. You think Kyle Shanahan wasn’t paying attention to that?
Other than Palmer and Larry Fitzgerald (13 catches for 149 yards and a touchdown), there wasn’t a lot to celebrate in that offensive performance. The defense was a huge let down. While they did keep Ezekiel Elliott below 100 yards, he still ran for 80 and a touchdown. Running lanes were open for Dak Prescott too any time he needed them, including a 10 yard touchdown run that’ll be on all the end of season highlight reels.
J.J. Nelson is banged up this week, but I expect him to play. Arizona’s defensive backfield is significantly better than the Rams. Patrick Peterson will probably shadow Garcon all game and Goodwin will likely be bracketed on the other side by Justin Bethel and Tyrann Mathieu.
The Pick
With Arizona’s run defense blocking the way, any offense for the 49ers will be on Brian Hoyer’s narrow, powerless shoulders. While San Francisco finally stopped its touchdown drought last week, I don’t think their winless streak is ending Sunday afternoon. Look for another big day for Larry Fitzgerald as the 49ers haven’t had any answer for him for about a decade now. Cardinals 31, 49ers 20
This week
Straight up: 1-0
Against the spread: 1-0
Last week
Straight up: 7-9
Against the spread: 6-10
Season
Straight up: 28-19
Against the spread: 22-25
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