Six days every week, it appears as if nothing can go proper for the San Francisco 49ers.
However on Sundays to date this season, the job has been accomplished.
The chance for the 49ers this week is immense. To be 3-0 is a boon for a crew’s playoff possibilities — it’s hay within the barn. For the reason that playoffs expanded in 2020, 17 of 20 groups that began 3-0 have made the postseason.
A win over the Cardinals may even imply that the Niners are 2-0 within the division. The NFC West appears a bit extra real looking if that’s the case.
So yeah, it’s a giant one.
And with that, I’ve three predictions (you may name them huge if you need) for the competition:
1. Mac Jones performs, and it doesn’t appear like it did in New Orleans
The primary half is hardly a daring prediction. The Niners have successfully stated that Jones will obtain a second-straight begin, and nobody can argue that it’s not deserved after his robust efficiency in a win in opposition to the Saints final week. However let’s not faux he didn’t get away with a couple of. He did sufficient to win, however he sprayed the ball round on throws (simply ask Marques Valdez-Scantling) and often held onto the ball too lengthy within the pocket (an space he’s loath to go away). He was on the best facet of these tight margins final Sunday—the Saints had been schematically sound however lacked the playmakers to take full benefit.
The Cardinals, nevertheless, don’t. The additions Arizona made to their entrance seven to pair with their dynamic (although now injured) again 5 have given their protection a brand new dimension. Specifically, the addition of Josh Sweat as a pass-rushing linebacker in a 3-4 entrance that’s usually a five-man wall on the road of scrimmage has been game-changing. It doesn’t matter what number of cool issues Jonathan Gannon’s crew can do within the defensive backfield if nobody is within the offensive backfield to hurry the quarterback up. I feel the Cardinals have that now, and it manifests into turnovers from Jones within the Niners’ residence opener.
2. The 49ers’ three-safety look is healthier than the Cardinals’ three-safety look
The Cardinals’ protection is known (amongst dorks like me) for taking part in three safeties on the similar time. It’s a really collegiate look that permits security Budda Baker—essentially the most underrated participant in soccer—to go do loopy issues everywhere in the subject. And with the Cardinals’ accidents at cornerback (standout rookie Will Johnson is uncertain, Max Melton is questionable), you’d should think about the Cardinals will use that three-safety look early and infrequently on Sunday.
However the Niners have a brand new three-safety look, too. They name it “Big Nickel,” and whereas it does, in impact, play security Ji’Ayir Brown at strong-side linebacker, it’s three safeties on the sphere however. Work with me, right here.
And after making an attempt it out in New Orleans to severe success, I’d anticipate the Niners to make use of it closely on Sunday in Santa Clara. No crew within the NFC makes use of heavier units (two, three tight ends) than the Cardinals, and people are the form of units that the Niners used Brown in opposition to the Saints. Was it a trial balloon?
And whereas, sure, enjoying Brown as a linebacker is probably going too mild in opposition to the Cardinals’ energy run sport, it’s a boon in opposition to Trey McBride, Arizona’s elite pass-catching tight finish, who’s used like a slot receiver. You possibly can’t truly cease McBride, however the Niners’ three-safety look can gradual him down, and that’s mandatory if the Niners need to win this sport.
3. We’ll name this the Mykel Williams sport, for causes good or dangerous
Since Nick Bosa entered the league in 2019, he’s been trying to find a defensive finish pairing that may constantly set the sting. It’s solely been two NFL video games, however I feel he’s discovered it in rookie Mykel Williams. It’s manifested in a reasonably simple manner: When Williams is on the sphere, Niners opponents can not run the ball (25 p.c success price). When he’s off the sphere, groups run wild on the Niners (66 p.c success price).
In no sport is setting that edge and sustaining “contain” extra essential than on this one, the place it’s important to match not solely the battering ram James Conner, but in addition the superb one-cut-and-go skill of sophomore operating again Trey Benson and the tuck-and-scamper skill of Kyler Murray.
Both this would be the validation of Williams’ run-stopping skill, or a “brake-pump” sport. Both manner, we’ll be speaking about No. 98 on the finish of the competition.
Bonus Prediction: The white jerseys give us the “ick.” The Niners in white, at residence? I don’t prefer it. It’s, frankly, form of smooth. However the Cardinals in crimson at Levi’s Stadium? No thanks. Let’s name this a debt assortment from when the Niners used State Farm Stadium in Arizona as a house base in 2020. It’s the one manner to not hate this.
Recreation prediction: Cardinals 23, 49ers 22. The Niners’ protection performs once more, permitting solely two touchdowns, however the San Francisco move sport sputters with just one viable receiver (Ricky Pearsall), and particular groups miscues carry the day.
