Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals vs. 49ers: Previewing Week 5 for San Francisco

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 11:57 p.m. ET

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With a quick turnaround for a Thursday night matchup with Arizona, San Francisco needs a quick turnaround in their play these past few weeks. We’ll take a look at a few key areas the 49ers need to take advantage of against the Cardinals in order to get back in the win column.

This season is taking an eerily similar path to 2015, when the San Francisco 49ers opened with an impressive win only to lose their next three.

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The loss of linebacker NaVorro Bowman is devastating. And with a Thursday night game on three days’ rest, there may be some more players missing when the teams take the field at Levi’s Stadium.

At 1-3, the Arizona Cardinals are looking for answers to quite a few questions as well. They have been a disappointment so far after being a preseason favorite to win the division and have a deep playoff run.

To make matters worse, Arizona quarterback Carson Palmer will likely sit this one out while going through the NFL concussion protocol after getting a concussion in a loss to the Los Angeles Rams this past Sunday.

There are definitely places and positions the Niners can attack in order to be victorious come Thursday.

Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) runs the ball for a first down in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Attack Arizona’s Run Defense

While the 49ers defense has taken some criticism for their failing 32nd-ranked run defense, the Arizona Cardinals are tied for 20th in that same category. There are yards to be gained on the ground if the 49ers attack in the same fashion the Buffalo Bills did in Week 3.

In the video below, courtesy of NFL.com, Bills running back LeSean McCoy is able to take advantage of a seal to the inside by his offensive lineman who is matched with the undersized Tyvon Branch.

The 49ers average 322.8 pounds across their offensive line, tied with the Rams for third heaviest in the league. They should be able to impose their will and generate running lanes for Carlos Hyde and company.

This would help keep the pressure off quarterback Blaine Gabbert, while hopefully allowing the now-depleted defense a breather.

And while they made some strides in the first half against the Cowboys. The team is sitting 17th in the league on third down conversions. The numbers don’t bear the struggles the 49er offense has had being consistent on third down.

However, the Cardinals rank 27th in the NFL stopping the opponent on third down. This means the Niners have an opportunity to sustain drives by running the ball, moving the chains and controlling the tempo.

The 49ers offensive line has actually played fairly well in pass protection so far this season, ranking 14th in the NFL. And although they have struggled running the ball consistently, the Cardinals may just the medicine the team needs to get the run game back on track and in the win column.

Oct 11, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Michael Wilhoite (57) and defensive end Quinton Dial (92) stop New York Giants running back Rashad Jennings (23) during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim O

Slow Down David Johnson

Cardinals running back David Johnson comes into Thursday’s game ranking seventh in the league with 300 yards rushing on just 64 carries for a 4.7 yards-per-carry average.

The 49ers defense gave up 138 yards to Dallas tailback Ezekiel Elliott and 194 yards total rushing to the Cowboys on Sunday. A huge disappointment especially playing at home.

That has to change quickly, or the season will be over before it really begins. Teams typically have a greater chance of victory if they are able to stop the run and get off the field on third downs.

With the huge loss of linebacker NaVorro Bowman for the season to a torn Achilles, the defensive front will  need to shut down gaps and running lanes Bowman normally shuts down. The Niners will attempt to fill his position with one of a group of four linebackers in Nick Bellore, Michael Wilhoite, Gerald Hodges or Shane Skov.

And with Deforest Buckner very questionable with a foot injury, the Niners front seven will need to step up in order to get their second win of the season on Thursday.

If the Niners can slow down the Cardinals run game, and with quarterback Carson Palmer in concussion protocol, it will force backup QB Drew Stanton to beat them in the passing game.

Should the Niners get another lead, as they did against Dallas, it would put even more pressure on Stanton to beat them with his arm, because the running game will have been stopped by the combination of clamping down on Johnson and having to throw the ball to get back in the game.

That is a win-win situation for San Francisco.

And that brings us to the next point of emphasis for the 49ers.

Oct 4, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) reacts after recording a sack. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Collapse the Pocket on Drew Stanton

As with any passing attack, the key to disrupting it is to pressure the QB. And for the 49ers, that means getting after Drew Stanton.

The fact that he is coming in to start on the road, on a short week, without the benefit of a full week’s practice is a benefit to the Niners.

The 49ers should benefit from the return of outside linebacker Aaron Lynch, back from his four-game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. He is easily San Francisco’s best pass-rusher, and is coming back 30 pounds lighter than what he played at last year.

He should be lining up on both the left side or right, opposite Ahmad Brooks or Eli Harold.

That could conceivably give the Niners the ability to collapse the pocket, pressure Stanton and force him into some mistakes. If they can do that, they may be able to get turnovers and flip field position, allowing the offense to work on short fields and generate points.

Arik Armstead will also need to step up if, in fact, DeForest Buckner is a no-go.  He has registered a sack this season. But adding to that total could go a long way to helping the team get a victory.

If he can get a push in the middle of the line, it may allow Lynch or Brooks to get loose on the outside. Or run stunts to the inside much like Aldon Smith and Justin Smith did  so effectively just a few short seasons ago.

And with Stanton seeing his first action since last season, defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil may run some timely blitz packages to keep the pressure on him.

And yes, Stanton did beat San Francisco a year ago. But the Cardinals were playing at a much higher level then they are right now. For as inconsistent as the 49ers have played this season, the Cardinals have been a major disappointment through four games.

And it’s up to the Niners to make sure that trend continues.

October 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) passes the football against the Dallas Cowboys. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Blaine Gabbert Has to Better

It’s starting to sound like a broken record, but the truth is quarterback Blaine Gabbert is not consistent enough. He lacks consistency and accuracy, and at the most crucial times of the game, it is readily apparent.

Early against the Cowboys this past Sunday, Gabbert was playing well. The first half saw him go 8-of-11 for 112 yards. He also converted his first seven third-down attempts, which had been a point of contention coming into the game.

However, as in previous games against Carolina and the Rams, the offense then failed to convert any of the next four well into the third quarter.

Meanwhile, rookie QB Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott led the Cowboys down the field on a 78 yard drive for a 21-17 lead.

This seems to be a recurring problem for Gabbert and the Niners. They start fast, but then struggle through large portions of the second and third quarter while the opposition moves up and down the field completing scoring drives.

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If they are going to get on track and win this division game, Gabbert will need to be more accurate and more consistent throughout the game.

There have been moments where plays could have been made in these first four games. And Gabbert simply has not done enough to close games and claim victories.

And if that trend continues, the 49ers will be staring at a 1-4 record and little hope of salvaging this 2016 season.

All statistics, records, and accolades are courtesy of ESPN.com, Pro-Football-Reference.com, and Sports-Reference.com unless otherwise indicated.

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