SANTA CLARA – All-white throwback jerseys are to function the 49ers’ warmth protect if Sunday’s house opener with Arizona turns into one other scorching showdown like final yr.
That intention might not appease The Trustworthy clamoring to see the house reds, however what actually issues is the house workforce rising 3-0, not the Cardinals donning their all-red outfits.
“Everything counts, you know? Is that a huge deal? I’m not sure, but you want every advantage that home field allows you and you get to pick,” basic supervisor John Lynch mentioned of the uniform selection, in Thursday’s KNBR 680-AM interview.
A yr in the past, the 49ers needed to modify from purple to white jerseys forward of the Cardinals’ go to, however that request was denied, and the 49ers melted down in a 24-23 loss, with temperatures approaching, if not cresting, 100 levels.
Acknowledging this rematch will possible happen within the extra forgiving 80s, Lynch added: “That’s not what wins and loses games, but everything we can do to give us any slight advantage we’re going to do.”
1. UNLOCK McCAFFREY
Everybody, simply be glad that Christian McCaffrey’s calf isn’t backfiring and he once more is a rushing-and-receiving raconteur, which is particularly useful whereas the 49ers are down extensive receivers.
McCaffrey’s gone for over 100 all-purpose yards in every win this season. He senses a breakout speeding assault is imminent. Or not less than a run longer than 13 yards, which he’s but to hit.
“We’re close. Definitely close,” McCaffrey mentioned. “A lot of it is just can’t get tackled. Being able to break those long ones comes from all 11 guy being on point and me stepping up.”
Veteran defensive sort out Calais Campbell is effectively conscious, telling Arizona reporters: “We’ve got to be elite, trying to stop the run and contain 23 this week. Really their whole stable of backs, but especially McCaffrey, he’s cream of the crop, the best in the business.”
McCaffrey is averaging 3.5 yards per carry. So is his backup, Brian Robinson Jr. If McCaffrey’s final recreation certainly was his most effective as a 49er when it comes to making yards out of nothing – as Lynch mentioned of the analytics – then the 49ers want to dam higher, which is tough to do with out George Kittle, by the way in which.
2. QUARTERBACK PROTECTION
Brock Purdy is “highly unlikely” to start out following his Week 2 hiatus. So with Mac Jones filling in once more, the offensive line should once more be on level in defending him, which it did splendidly in New Orleans.
Arizona’s revamped protection has Trent Williams’ consideration after its Week 2 exhibiting towards Carolina. “They had a great game. The safeties fly around, the linebackers are physically, and obviously they made a lot of upgrades to the D-line that’s been showing up,” Williams mentioned.
Seventh-round decide Connor Colby was in in line for his first begin at left guard, however a groin harm Thursday put that unsure.
Attacking the 49ers’ linemen shall be 18th-year veteran Calais Campbell, a 6-foot-8 stalwart who produced two sacks within the ultimate minutes.
The Cardinals’ cornerback corps has been hit laborious by harm, however Jones mentioned their scheme is cloaked in disguises, so if the 49ers have to assault it, the go safety should be able to reply the bell.
3. COVER McBRIDE AND MORE
It’s not Marvin Harrison Jr. nor Stanford product Michael Wilson which can be the 49ers’ major concern as Kyler Murray targets. Slightly, it’s Trey McBride, the NFL’s solely tight finish within the George Kittle pay grade ($19 million per yr).
McBride has 12 receptions (six every recreation) for 139 yards by means of two video games, after 111 for 1,146 yards final season. He has simply six touchdowns in 51 profession video games, so Murray clearly has a wandering eye within the purple zone.
Odds are second-year cornerback Renardo Inexperienced shall be a preferred goal like the primary two video games, however defensive coordinator Robert Saleh likes how Inexperienced has responded. “People have to remember he’s just a second-year kid, a second-year young man and he’s learning,” Saleh mentioned. “I love his energy this week. He always bounces back. I don’t think it fazes him.”
Deommodore Lenoir misses the motion of taking part in within the slot, and he’d like to notch the 49ers’ first interception this season on the skin overlaying Harrison, who had a landing final recreation and eight final yr because the No. 4 general draft decide.
4. VENGENCE FOR JAUAN
Jauan Jennings acquired baited into an finish zone brawl and ejected from final season’s finale, leaving him 25 yards shy of 1,000 in his breakout yr. Sean Murphy-Bunting and Starling Thomas, the Cardinals’ cornerbacks he blended it up with final assembly, are each injured. Properly, so is Jennings, however he shook off a Week 1 shoulder harm to play in New Orleans, and now he should overcome a Week 2 ankle harm that has him questionable to play this week.
If Jennings isn’t wholesome sufficient to be a No. 1 goal, then Phoenix native Ricky Pearsall certainly would love his say towards Arizona, too. He had six catches for 69 yards and a landing in that 2024 season finale, and he’s off to a powerful begin this season as, effectively, a starter. He had 108 catches within the opener and arrange the profitable drive, then he was a key goal within the first half Sunday at New Orleans earlier than ending with 4 catches for 56 yards.
With Kittle sidelined not less than the subsequent three video games, and with Demarcus Robinson serving the ultimate recreation of his suspension, the 49ers once more may need McCaffrey to assist shoulder the receiving load. Mentioned Campbell: “McCaffrey in in the pass game is a special, dynamic player and they do a good job of finding ways to get him the ball.”
5. CONTAIN KYLER
Nick Bosa acquired to Sam Darnold in 2.6 seconds for his win-clinching sack in Seattle. Bryce Huff wanted solely 2.44 seconds for the NFL’s quickest sack this season, the one which popped the fourth-down ball free to seal the 49ers’ win in New Orleanns. Pace guidelines, proper?
Properly, Murray has velocity, too. The 49ers’ Vast-9 scheme can backfire if the ends go up discipline and the quarterback geese inside to flee and run for damaging yards. That is the place an inside presence is significant, and the 49ers want rookie Mykel Williams and Yetur Gross-Matos to do this of their pass-rush package deal.
Murray’s 50-yard, second-snap landing run in final yr’s go to confirmed how harmful he’s together with his legs. When Murray ultimately scrambles for security, the 49ers should keep away from a penalty for hitting him after a delayed slide.
“He’s a late slider,” defensive coordinator Robert Saleh mentioned. “But he is fast, he is elusive, he is a jitterbug, and he is a passer first. He’s as challenging as it gets.”
James Conner has been a problem, too, nonetheless.
