San Francisco vs. Arizona Prediction: NFC West Rivals Meet in Mexico City for MNF

The San Francisco 49ers play the Arizona Cardinals in Mexico Metropolis on “Monday Evening Soccer” trying to depart with the NFC West solidly in hand. Only a half-game behind the idle Seattle Seahawks, a San Francisco win would give them the division lead by advantage of their 27-7 head-to-head victory over Seattle in Week 2.

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On paper, the 49ers’ offense ought to be among the finest within the NFL after the acquisition of former All-Professional operating again Christian McCaffrey. But it surely’s the Cardinals who scored extra factors final week, backup quarterback Colt McCoy main the crew to 27 of their most full victory of the season over NFC West rival Los Angeles. That saved Arizona out of final place within the division nevertheless it’s a far cry from the place the Cardinals had been at this level a yr in the past: 8-2 and the NFL shock of the season.

This time round, the one surprises are which backups get to begin for a Cardinals outfit hammered by accidents. Among the many gamers hobbled for Monday night time’s contest, in the event that they’ll even play in any respect, is beginning quarterback Kyler Murray (hamstring) and large receiver DeAndre Hopkins (hamstring). Moreover, tight finish Zach Ertz suffered a season-ending knee damage final week. They had been among the many 10 gamers that appeared on the Friday damage report, the most recent hurdle for a crew whose 2022 has been marked by sluggish begins and inconsistency on either side of the ball.

Can the 49ers are available and deal with enterprise south of the border? Their dynamic offense regarded slightly shaky final week in a 22-16 squeaker over that different Los Angeles crew, the Chargers, going simply 2-for-5 within the pink zone for the second time in three weeks.

Can quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and firm money in on their alternatives on a global stage? Or will the Cardinals discover a method, at 4-6, to tug themselves again into the division race?

Monday Evening Soccer: San Francisco (5-4) vs. Arizona (4-6)

Kickoff: Monday, Nov. 21 at 8:15 p.m. ET
The place: Estadio Azteca (Mexico Metropolis)
TV: ESPN
Stay Stream: fuboTV (Begin your free trial)
Unfold: 49ers -8
Tickets: As little as $270 on SITickets.com* 

Three Issues to Watch

1. Who will play quarterback for the Cardinals?
Murray’s hamstring nonetheless leaves him iffy for Monday night time, as head coach Kliff Kingsbury mentioned on Friday “we’ll see how he feels” after the signal-caller obtained in a restricted observe session. That might depart the 36-year-old McCoy beginning a second straight sport after his spectacular 26-for-37, 238-yard efficiency final Sunday.

What McCoy dropped at the crew was a disciplined strategy, a turnover-free sport supervisor who utilized DeAndre Hopkins effectively whereas leaning on operating again James Conner within the pink zone (69 yards, 2 TDs). The offense did all of the little issues proper, together with going 3-for-3 on fourth down and changing each their goal-to-go alternatives.

That leaves even Murray completely snug if McCoy, nursing his personal damage (knee), must step in as soon as once more.

“[Colt] has been round a lot soccer, been round so many nice coaches, handled plenty of gamers, schemes, and he’s only a actually clever soccer participant, and an awesome pal,” Murray mentioned this week. “Sort of has that father determine vibe to him. All the blokes look to him, belief him. To have him in my nook, there’s nothing extra I might ask from him.”

There’s only one downside McCoy has to face: the 49ers’ No. 1-ranked protection. Third in sacks per move try and second in opposition to the run, their entrance line goes to place extra stress on McCoy to ship beneath middle. And with Hopkins hampered a bit, choices are restricted for him; anticipate Rondale Moore to be the primary goal, who racked up 94 receiving yards in opposition to the Rams.

As a lot as Murray has been criticized for his lack of preparation, the added mobility alone would give the Cardinals a strong improve right here. It’s laborious to see them successful if he stays on the bench.

2. Can George Kittle have a breakout sport?
With Christian McCaffrey’s arrival on the scene, it’s straightforward for Kittle to fall down the pecking order. So many mouths to feed on this 49ers offense, together with the adjustment from Trey Lance to Garoppolo, has left Kittle going through a down yr: simply 29 catches and 340 yards on the season’s midway level.

However the Cardinals have been a crew San Francisco’s tight finish has feasted on as of late: 10 catches, 193 yards and a landing in his final two video games in opposition to them. One of many weaker NFL defenses this yr, Arizona ranks simply twenty third in opposition to the move and has cracked repeatedly in opposition to tight ends. Simply take a look at the stat strains this yr from among the league’s greatest:

• Travis Kelce: 8 catches, 121 yards, TD in Week 1
• Darren Waller: 6 catches, 50 yards, TD in Week 2
• Dallas Goedert: 8 catches, 95 yards in Week 5
• Noah Fant: Main receiver in opposition to them in Week 6 (6 catches, 45 yards
• Juwan Johnson: 2 TDs in Week 7
• Noah Fant & Will Dissly: 120 mixed yards in Week 9
• Tyler Higbee: 8 catches, 73 yards final week

Contemplating Kittle’s All-Professional historical past, it’s a primary alternative for him so as to add his title to that checklist. The query is solely whether or not Garoppolo is keen to get him the soccer. Prior to now two weeks, he’s gotten simply seven targets to McCaffrey’s 15 because the operating again has elevated his offensive manufacturing.

3. McCaffrey, half II?
Talking of McCaffrey, he’s obtained the uncommon alternative to face a crew suiting up for 2 totally different organizations in the identical season. He slashed the Cardinals for 108 complete yards in a 26-16 loss in Week 4 as a member of the Carolina Panthers.

Can he discover that magic system once more? Final week was an adjustment for him on the bottom as Elijah Mitchell’s return from injured reserve allowed for each operating backs to platoon. Mitchell gained 89 yards, McCaffrey 38, and large receiver Deebo Samuel pulled some end-arounds for 27 because the 49ers’ offensive sport plan revolved round balancing their many weapons.

However McCaffrey’s success in opposition to the Cardinals ought to depart San Francisco leaning closely on him. With the Panthers, he rushed for 153 yards in 2019 (together with a 76-yard TD), then 95 yards final season with an extra 66 receiving yards. The one-man wrecking crew ought to present no indicators of stopping, even in opposition to a crew that ranks ninth within the NFL in opposition to the run.

Closing Evaluation

McCoy appeared to rally the Cardinals final week, simply the second time all season they’ve held the lead on the half. However regardless of the Rams’ standing as defending Tremendous Bowl champions, the 49ers’ present make-up on either side of the ball is a complete totally different degree of competitors altogether.

It’s laborious to see the Cardinals conserving tempo on a impartial website. A loss all however ends their playoff hopes at 4-7 whereas turning the main focus, and the questions, towards the way forward for head coach Kliff Kingsbury.

Prediction: San Francisco 31, Arizona 13

— Written by Tom Bowles, who’s a part of the Athlon Contributor Community. Observe him on Twitter @NASCARBowles.

*Worth as of publication.