The San Francisco 49ers return to Levi’s Stadium to face the Arizona Cardinals. Can San Francisco get to 2-3 this weekend?
Previous Games
In the 49ers last game, they fell to the Los Angeles Chargers 29-27 on the road. Antone Exum opened up the game with a pick-six and then C.J. Beathard drove the team down the field to take a 14-0 lead. However, the Chargers ended up taking a lead and two Beathard interceptions (that weren’t his fault) sealed the game.
For the Cardinals, they lost at home to the Seattle Seahawks. In what was also a tight game, rookie quarterback Josh Rosen made his first start. He threw for 180 yards and a touchdown, completing 15/27 passes. Running back David Johnson also had a solid game, running for 71 yards and a touchdown while also having 41 receiving yards. However, Phil Dawson missed a field goal late in the fourth so Seattle went down the field and they kicked a 52-yard field goal to snatch a road win.
Injury Report
For Arizona, they don’t have anyone who is confirmed to be out. Defensive players Markus Golden and Robert Nkemdiche are the two big question marks who did not practice on Friday. Receiver Larry Fitzgerald is questionable with a hamstring/back injury but should be good to go.
For San Francisco, receiver Dante Pettis has already been confirmed to be OUT this week with a knee injury. This means Richie James and now activated Victor Bolden could be playing. Marquise Goodwin is also dealing with an injury and is questionable this week. He hasn’t been the same as last year all season so if he can’t play, that’s where Bolden is likely to come in. Matt Breida is questionable with a shoulder injury but he should be good to go. The offensive lineman will be the biggest concern. Weston Richburg, Joe Staley and Mike McGlinchey are all questionable but were full participants in Friday’s practice.
- Ep. 197: Fields to Pittsburgh, Still Available Free Agentsby Full Press Coverage on March 18, 2024 at 8:00 pm
Players to Watch
C.J. Beathard is obviously the first person that comes to mind. After his 298-yard performance along with two touchdowns, how will he fare against the Cardinals defense? Beathard was playing very well behind the line when healthy but as the injuries piled (as they always do), things became harder for Beathard. He did throw an 82-yard catch and run to George Kittle, who will also be another player to watch this week.
Matt Breida is still one of the leagues leading rushers, even though he really never exceeds 10 carries per game. It can be frustrating not giving your best running back more than 10 carries a game. Injuries were a factor last week but it’s time to let Breida loose.
On the defensive side, it’s really everybody. The Cardinals are coming into this game with the worst ranked offense in the league, but they are playing a 49ers defense that just hasn’t been consistent. Some things to look for are how the secondary plays, especially if Richard Sherman, Adrian Colbert, and Jaquiski Tartt are all playing. Reuben Foster played great last week alongside Fred Warner. The pass rush is still non-existent. Will someone step up to help DeForest Buckner who was quiet last week? Probably not, but Jullian Taylor deserves to see the field soon.
Can the 49ers get their second win of the season at home? Or will the 0-4 Cardinals get their first win of the season?
Prediction: 49ers 30, Cardinals 24
– Sanjesh Singh is the managing editor for the San Francisco 49ers on Full Press Coverage He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @TheSanjeshSingh Follow @FPC_49ers and Facebook.