Cardinals vs. 49ers: Preview, score prediction for Week 9
Arizona Cardinals vs. San Francisco 49ers
There will be perhaps be few better opportunities for the San Francisco 49ers to win a game this season than in Sunday’s Week 9 game with the Arizona Cardinals.
San Francisco remains winless following last week’s 33-10 defeat at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles but welcomes a Cardinals team without starting quarterback Carson Palmer, who broke his arm in their last game with the Los Angeles Rams two weeks ago. Drew Stanton will start in Palmer’s stead.
The contest marks the first since the 49ers made the blockbuster trade with the New England Patriots for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. Garoppolo is the quarterback of the future but will not be under center against the 3-4 Cardinals, who realistically need to win to keep their fading playoff hopes alive.
Keys to the Game
It’s a widely accepted convention that most football games are won in the trenches, and what happens up front will be of particular importance in this one. C.J. Beathard — now missing his top target with Pierre Garcon going on injured reserve with a neck injury — was battered in the 49ers’ loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
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With Joe Staley (orbital bone) out and guard Brandon Fusco (biceps) also unlikely to feature, much will depend on how San Francisco’s offensive line fares in keeping Beathard clean against an Arizona defensive line that ranks No. 28 in the league in Football Outsiders‘ adjusted sack rate.
The Niners’ defensive line had its way with Arizona’s O-Line in Week 4, sacking Carson Palmer six times and, though Solomon Thomas and Arik Armstead are out, DeForest Buckner will look to produce a dominant performance and San Francisco will hope for similar production from Leger Douzable, who had two sacks in his debut against the Eagles.
If the 49ers can keep Stanton out of rhythm and get him on the ground consistently, then they should be able to keep this close. However, should Stanton get going, look for him to try build a rapport with Larry Fitzgerald, who caught the game-winning touchdown in overtime in Week 4, in the hope that success in the passing game will lead to some openings on the ground for Adrian Peterson.
Yet it may well be another difficult afternoon for Peterson, with the 49ers having held the Cardinals to 51 yards on the ground in the reverse fixture.
Odds
Point Spread: Arizona -2.5
Moneyline: Arizona -135 San Francisco +115
Over/Under: 39.5
Next: 49ers: Rebuild accelerated with Jimmy Garoppolo trade
Prediction
Expect another tight defensive struggle between two teams dealing with a significant number of injuries. Even with the 49ers’ issues up front, this one seems like a coin flip, maybe fortune will finally smile on San Francisco.
Final Score: Arizona Cardinals: 10, San Francisco 49ers: 13