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Cardinals, Kyler Murray To Be Tested By 49ers Defense

Offense needs to find groove, points while wary of Bosa and Warner

LT Paris Johnson Jr. (70) will battle with 49ers DE Nick Bosa (97) Sunday in San Francisco.
LT Paris Johnson Jr. (70) will battle with 49ers DE Nick Bosa (97) Sunday in San Francisco.

When Kyler Murray trots onto the field at Levi's Stadium, the California sun always seems to be "hitting."

"The field seems a little bit more green. It's a beautiful scenery," the Cardinals quarterback said.

While that'll be true once again when the Cardinals visit on Sunday -- a lot of sun, considering the temperatures expected around 96 degrees -- for a Week Five battle against the 49ers, there will also be a scary scene on the field.

A 49ers defense, led by Nick Bosa and Fred Warner, will be in the way of Murray and the Cardinals (1-3).

"It's Year 6 for me, and they've been great ever since I've been in the league," Murray said. "Obviously Fred and Nick are two of the guys that make it go, but they have great players surrounding them."

This will be Murray's first game in San Francisco since 2020, when he led the Cardinals to a 24-20 victory. Bosa and Warner were opponents that day.

In 12 career games against the Cardinals, Warner has 109 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a pair of forced fumbles and fumble recoveries. Bosa's numbers aren't as flashy as Warner's -- in nine meetings, the defensive end only has 26 tackles but has three forced fumbles and four sacks.

"We faced (Detroit's Aidan Hutchinson) who is pretty good, but (Bosa) is as good, if not better. Their MIKE linebacker is one of the best in the league, he's been doing it at such a high level for such a long time," offensive coordinator Drew Petzing said. "I know there's been some different coordinators over time, but I think the system has stayed very consistent. You have players who been in a long time, which I think allows them to play at a really high level."

Warner has continued his streak of impressive ball. He had a big September with 27 tackles, three forced fumbles, two interceptions (including a pick-six) and a sack. However, Warner, who Murray said, "might go down as one of the best ever," could be limited due to an ankle injury.

While the Cardinals are aware of the threat Bosa presents on Sunday, the 49ers (2-2) are equally as aware of Murray's mobility skillset that has hurt opposing defenses. This comes after Murray’s one rush last weekend was a topic of conversation.

"It's harder to catch him, for sure," Bosa said. "He definitely looks more comfortable. Once you catch him it's not hard (to tackle Murray). Sometimes he falls to avoid the hit, so in that sense it's easier than (Patriots quarterback Jacoby) Brissett but catching him is the issue."

The last time the Cardinals were 2-0 in the NFC West, they earned their second division win against the 49ers in 2021. As long as the Cardinals keep Bosa, Warner, and the 49ers in check, they'll have a chance at replicating their start in the division.

A win would also wash away the taste the Cardinals have after last weekend.

"I definitely expect to have a better week this week," Murray said.

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