San Francisco 49ers: Previewing the Arizona Cardinals

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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The San Francisco 49ers host the Arizona Cardinals, a team to whom they lost to earlier this season in overtime. Can the 49ers earn their first win?

The 0-8 San Francisco 49ers, who are ravaged by injuries, will be hosting the 3-4 Arizona Cardinals who also have their fair share of injuries.

The Cardinals are coming off a bye week while the 49ers are coming off a 33-10 loss at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles, and suffered multiple injuries in the loss. There will be plenty of preview points for this game so let’s get started!

Injuries

While the Cardinals have their fair share of injuries, it doesn’t compare to what the 49ers are dealing with. The Cardinals will be without quarterback Carson Palmer, running back David Johnson, offensive lineman Mike Iupati, and outside linebacker Markus Golden.

The long list of 49er players on injured reserve just keep growing. They will be without starting safety Jimmie Ward who is on injured reserve. Left tackle Joe Staley is another key player that will be out of this game while right tackle Trent Brown is working his way back. The loss of Pierre Garcon will be a major one for San Francisco, as their leading receiver is on injured reserve for the rest of the season after suffering a neck injury in Week 8.

The pass catchers that are still healthy for San Francisco will have to step up big time and help out rookie quarterback C.J. Beathard. Expect rookie running back Matt Breida to be more involved in the pass game as well.

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49er Defense

From the secondary to the linebackers, the 49ers defense will have to play a big game. They will be facing Cardinals’ quarterback Drew Stanton, so the pressure must be brought constantly to make him uncomfortable.

Last week the 49ers registered three sacks, two of them coming from newly-signed defensive lineman Leger Douzable.

At the linebacker position, Reuben Foster will be a big story line to watch. He didn’t play last week because of injury concerns, and his presence was sorely missed.

At the secondary position, rookie cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon will be making his second start since former 49er Rashard Robinson was traded to the Jets. Dontae Johnson will also have to step up since he struggled in the 49ers-Cardinals last match-up. At safety, Eric Reid may be back in his former role since Ward is out for the season. Expect Jaquiski Tartt to have another big game, especially since he has led the team in tackles the past two weeks.

Quarterback Play

Both Stanton and Beathard are the expected starters for this match-up. Stanton has lots of veteran experience, typically as a backup. For Beathard, he is coming off a game in which he struggled massively thanks to injuries and the Eagles defensive line. Beathard threw two picks to start the game, including one returned for a touchdown.

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With no Garcon at his disposal, Beathard will have to look for other ways to get the ball down the field.

The 49ers and Cardinals will kick-off November 5th at 1:05 pm on FOX from Levi’s Stadium.