Niners Nation
We haven’t done predictions as a staff all season. What better time to bring them back than the second half of the season? The San Francisco 49ers are slight road favorites against the Arizona Cardinals. It’s a tricky line, as both teams are coming off blowout losses.
Here are our predictions about what will happen on Sunday.
Kyle’s prediction: 49ers 27, Cardinals 20
The 49ers couldn’t ask for a better matchup on both sides of the ball. Offensively, the 49ers face a defense that is 21st in passing efficiency and 25th in pressure rate. It’s also a defense that’s middle of the pack at stopping the run.
Ricky Pearsall had over 100 yards receiving the first time these two teams played. That’s been a theme for number one receivers against Arizona. Last week, Jaxons Smith-Njigba had 93 yards and a touchdown. CeeDee Lamb had 85 yards. The week before that, Romeo Doubs had 73 yards. I’d expect Pearsall to pick up where he left off.
No Marvin Harrison Jr. is a big blow to an offense that was trending in the right direction through the air. Jacoby Brissett had a strong connection with Harrison Jr. He won’t have the luxury of having his WR1 or WR3 on Sunday. That will allow Robert Saleh to continue being aggressive, as he was last week, when he blitzed Matthew Stafford on a season-high 48 percent of his dropbacks.
A garbage-time score will make the game look closer than it really was. I’d expect the Niners to get out to an early lead and have a touchdown lead for much of the game against a Cardinals team that’s been punching above its class all season.
Rohan’s prediction: 49ers 27, Cardinals 21
I’m with Kyle on this one. I think this is an ideal matchup for the 49ers.
They’re getting Ricky Pearsall back, who should open up the passing game, even if Brock Purdy is a little rusty in his return from the sidelines. Arizona has struggled at cornerback this year, be it due to injuries or performance.
Then, there’s the Cardinals offense, which has struggled on the ground. The 49ers aren’t a great run defense, but if they can mitigate the damage there, I think they’ll have more success in the air against Jacoby Brissett working without Marvin Harrison Jr.
Getting players like Bryce Huff back will help the pass-rush out, and I think the 49ers respond well with a faster start this weekend, forcing Arizona to play behind the eight-ball.
Divisional matchups are usually relatively competitive, and Arizona has been competitive this year outside of last weekend. But, I see a Niners victory on Sunday.
Nicholas’ prediction: 49ers 31, Cardinals 23
Everything looks to be lining up for a perfect homecoming for both Purdy and Pearsall to enjoy a winning return to their home state. This is the healthiest the 49er offense has been since Week 1, and they’re facing an Arizona defense dealing with injuries at every level.
If Purdy is able...
