The 49ers have opened the season like a team already in midstream, and Week 3 brings another NFC West test with Arizona coming to town. San Francisco is trying to move to 3-0 after back-to-back blowout wins over the Los Angeles Rams, 27-7, and the Miami Dolphins, 35-13, while the Cardinals arrive off a 31-7 loss to the Drew Lock-led Seattle Seahawks after a Week 1 upset of the Los Angeles Chargers, 26-14.
For San Francisco, this is the kind of division game that can matter a lot later, especially in a crowded NFC West. The 49ers haven’t been pushed much yet, and they’ve controlled both of their games by taking over in the second half. Sunday gives them a chance to keep that same rhythm going.
One area that should finally come alive is the ground game. Brock Purdy has helped drive a passing attack that has started fast, but Week 2 was quiet on the ground, with Christian McCaffrey finishing with just 23 yards on 10 carries. Kaelon Black has also carved out a role early, rushing seven times for 25 yards against the Dolphins after logging 14 carries for 65 yards against the Rams.
This matchup looks like a good setup for a rebound on the ground. San Francisco’s offensive line has a clear edge over Arizona’s defensive front, and while the Cardinals have pieces such as Walter Nolen and Josh Sweat, they have been below average against the run this season.
Arizona could choose to crowd the box, but that opens the door for the 49ers’ passing game to make them pay. The expectation here is that the run game gets room to breathe.
Defensively, the pressure plan is where things could get interesting. With Nick Bosa out, the 49ers will need to find ways to bother Jacoby Brissett, and that could mean a busy day for Raheem Morris and his blitz packages. Brissett has shown he can throw the ball well, but Arizona does not lean heavily on play-action with his mobility, and he does not look to scramble.
That makes the pass rush picture a little different. Brissett gets the ball out quickly, so the sack total may not jump off the page.
But Morris is expected to bring pressure from different angles and try to create tougher situations on later downs. Arizona’s third-down work has been shaky, too, with the Cardinals ranking 22nd in conversion rate at 34.6 percent.
If the 49ers get ahead early, the heat should keep coming.
And offensively, the scoreboard should keep moving. San Francisco has already shown it can strike with explosives and string together long drives, and the pieces are in place for another productive afternoon. With the offensive line advantage, Purdy playing well, and a deep group of skill players, the 49ers look capable of clearing 27 points for a third straight game.
In Other News...
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49ers Fans Have Every Right To Be Angry Over Kyle Juszczyk Fine
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Juszczyk and his wife pushed back on the interpretation, saying the celebration was meant to mimic drinking juice, a nod to the fullbacks longtime nickname. Even by the NFLs sometimes baffling standards, the decision has drawn criticism from players and fans who see little reason to police a gesture that was clearly part of the moment and not a shot at anyone. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Injury Crunch Is Forcing An Unproven Receiver Into The Spotlight
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Watkins has barely seen the field in his previous seasons, which makes this an important chance for him to show he can handle a bigger role when the offense needs help. For San Francisco, it is another reminder of how quickly depth can get tested, and how a player who was more of an afterthought in August can suddenly become part of the weekly plan in September. [Read more 🡒]