PHX Reporter

The Arizona Cardinals are preparing for a challenging game against the San Francisco 49ers this Sunday at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers, who have Jordan Mason stepping up as running back with Christian McCaffrey on injured reserve, pose a significant threat to the Cardinals' defense. Mason has accumulated a league-high 91 carries and ranks second with 447 rushing yards, alongside three touchdowns. "He's facing a stacked box of eight or more defenders significantly more than any other running back," noted Dani Sureck.

The Cardinals have demonstrated strong starts in their games, scoring touchdowns on all four of their opening drives. However, sustaining that momentum throughout the game has been problematic. Craig Grialou pointed out the disparity between their first-quarter performance and the rest of the game: "How does an offense score 35 first-quarter points... yet manage only 38 total points in the second half?"

In addition to these challenges, the Cardinals will need to contend with Nick Bosa, known for his formidable presence on the field. The defensive end was named Defensive Player of the Year in 2022 and remains a significant challenge for NFC West teams. Zach Gershman highlighted Bosa's impact: "In their two matchups in 2023, Bosa had five quarterback hits and sacked Kyler Murray once."

As both teams prepare for Sunday's matchup, it is clear that strategic adjustments will be crucial for the Cardinals if they hope to overcome these hurdles.