- CARDINALS at 49ers
- 1:05 p.m. Sunday
- Levi's Stadium
- Line: Cardinals +7.5 (For more NFL odds, visit the BetMGM online sportsbook)
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Cardinals Work On Masonry Skills
The Cardinals defense will have to stonewall 49ers running back Jordan Mason, who has filled in nicely with Christian McCaffrey on IR. Mason has a league-high 91 carries and 2nd-best 447 rushing yards paired with three touchdowns. More impressive than those stats? How tough of a tackle Mason has proven to be. He's facing a stacked box of eight or more defenders significantly more than any other running back, yet despite that extra attention, has still has notched 300 yards after contact through four weeks. Arizona's defense will need to be disciplined, have gap integrity and excellent tackling on first contact. The tough part about defending San Francisco's offense is that eliminating the run doesn't mean they can't still be a challenge in the air.
-- Dani Sureck
For Starters, How About The Whole Game?
What the Cardinals have done at the start of games is impressive; touchdowns on all four of their opening drives. It's what's happened after, specifically after those initial 15 minutes, that has left many scratching their heads. How does an offense score 35 first-quarter points, third-most in the league by the way, yet manage only 38 total points in the second half? Is it playcalling? Is it execution? Defensive adjustments? Yes, to all three, to a degree. Whatever the reason, 13 and 14 points – what the Cardinals have scored in each of the past two weeks, respectively – is not enough to beat the 49ers.
-- Craig Grialou
Seeing No. 97... Again?
Two weeks ago, the Cardinals offensive line was putting together a game plan to lock up Detroit's Aidan Hutchinson, one of their more challenging tests in the 2024 campaign. He was the center of the conversation when talking about the threat the Lions posed, especially since Jackson Barton was forced to slide in and face No. 97 for majority of the afternoon. Hutchinson was mostly handled, but now, the Cardinals are tasked with preparing for another No. 97 in Nick Bosa. The four-time Pro Bowler and 2022 Defensive Player of the Year has been a thorn in the side of all NFC West opponents since he emerged in the league. In their two matchups in 2023, Bosa had five quarterback hits and sacked Kyler Murray once.
-- Zach Gershman
