The San Francisco 49ers had a brutal off-season after going 8-8 in 2014. The Head Coach is gone, many players have retired (some in their prime), others left via free agency, and there’s even been some trouble with the law. Many dismissed the team before the 2015 season began (myself included). But as I look at the stats, San Francisco is still very much alive.
Colin Kaepernick threw for 355 yards and 2 TDs in Pittsburgh last Sunday. RB Frank Gore has taken his talents elsewhere but Carlos Hyde is a quality back who just posted rushing 168 yards in week 1.
WR Torrey Smith caught 6 balls for 120 yards vs the Steelers, and they still have Vernon Davis and Anquan Boldin. The defense… I’m not so sure what to make of it so far. They limited the Vikings to 3 points in week 1 but gave up 43 big ones to Big Ben and Company in week 2.
This week in Arizona, Head Coach Bruce Arians was once again very quick to remind his team that the first 2 wins do not mean anything. Actually, I’m paraphrasing there. Arians walked into the team meeting room Wednesday and his first words were reportedly “You aint s**t.” Carson Palmer was the source of this quoting, and he has also been the source on the offense through the first 2 weeks.
Palmer is tied with Tom Brady for throwing the most TDs. His QBR is a 124.4 through the first two weeks and he has the best winning percentage in the League since coming to Arizona. The attention is growing right along with the stats, but this is why we have Bruce Arians, because in reality these first two victories will only mean something if Arizona can add about ten more.
The Arizona Cardinals are in for the long-con in 2015, if it works out they will have home field advantage through out the play offs. This would be a huge for Arizona considering the Cardinals are 14-2 at home since Bruce Arians has arrived.
In my opinion, this game will be all about squashing the San Francisco running game. Pittsburgh limited Carlos Hyde to 43 yards and ran away with a 43-18 victory. Also, the limiting of Colin Kaepernick’s running opportunities will be a big part of the defensive battle. Kaepernick was the team’s leading rusher in week two.
A good way to help silence a scrambling quarterback is time of possession. If the Cardinals can continue to play with a balanced offense, the running game may be able to chew up some valuable clock. Arizona will most likely be with out their starter Andre Ellington for a second week in a row but the Cardinals are pretty deep at runningback this year. Chris Johnson will probably start the game, and rookie sensation David Johnson will also see some action. How much? Who knows but considering the body of work he has already put in, I am guessing the touches will only increase.
So this is a game like any other in Arizona, it’s a game vs a team that cannot be taken lightly. The Cardinals have been very aggressive on both sides of the ball this year and this week should be no different. I will not predict a score this week, I will instead predict what it will take to win in this division. If you want to compete in the NFC-West, you have to be at your NFC-Best.
Images By: Mike Yduarte and Scott Photography
