Arizona Cardinals: 3 keys to beating the San Francisco 49ers

By Scott Allen | Oct 30, 2017

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 01: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals reacts after scoring the game winning touchdown over cornerback Rashard Robinson #33 and cornerback Jimmie Ward #25 of the San Francisco 49ers during the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the 49ers in overtime 18-15. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 01: Defensive end Frostee Rucker #92 of the Arizona Cardinals during the NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the 49ers in overtime 18-15. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Third down conversions

The Cardinals are getting killed on defense on third down conversions by their opponents. The Cardinals were very good though against the 49ers in this department on October 2nd. The 49ers were just 5-19 on third down conversions that afternoon.

However the following week against the Philadelphia Eagles, it wasn’t pretty. The Eagles were 9-14. In week six the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were 7-14, and the Rams were 13-19. That’s 29-47 over the last three weeks. That won’t cut it.

Sustained offensive drives should keep the 49ers offense off the field more. The defense needs three and outs. They won’t shut the 49ers offense out of converting third downs all together but they need to be spread out. Consecutive conversions are the biggest killer.

Whatever the Cardinals did against the 49ers the first time worked. Doing it again is easier said than done but it needs to get better or it won’t matter what the Cardinals can accomplish on offense.

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