Arizona Cardinals vs San Francisco 49ers: Preview, prediction

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 01: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals catches the game winning touchdown in overtime over cornerback Rashard Robinson #33 of the San Francisco 49ers during the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. Arizona won 18-15. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 01: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals catches the game winning touchdown in overtime over cornerback Rashard Robinson #33 of the San Francisco 49ers during the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. Arizona won 18-15. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
1 of 2
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 01: Strong safety Tyvon Branch #27 of the Arizona Cardinals in action 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)
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 01: Strong safety Tyvon Branch #27 of the Arizona Cardinals in action 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)

The Arizona Cardinals are back on the road after their bye week, heading to face the San Francisco 49ers

The Arizona Cardinals (3-4) have had to wait two weeks to get their awful 33-0 loss to the Los Angeles Rams out of their system.  Now they the face a very beaten up San Francisco 49ers team (0-8) on Sunday.

The Cardinals had their bye week after spending a week in London.  The 49ers are coming off a 33-10 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in week eight.

These two teams are meeting for the second time this season.  The Cardinals won a 18-15 game in overtime in Glendale at University of Phoenix Stadium on October 2nd.

TV/Radio

TV: Fox 10 (Chris Myers, Daryl Johnston)

Date/Time: Sunday November 5th, 2:05 p.m. Arizona time, 4:05 p.m. ET,

Radio: Arizona Sports 98.7 FM (Dave Pasch, Ron Wolfley, Paul Calvisi);

Cardinals radio broadcast network:

KATO, 1230 AM, Thatcher
KAZM, 780 AM, Sedona
KNTR, 980 AM, Lake Havasu
KDDL/KQNA, 94.3 FM, Prescott Valley
KVNA, 600 AM, Flagstaff
KZUA, 92.1 FM, Holbrook
KBLU, 560 AM, Yuma
KRVZ, 1400 AM, Springerville
KIKO, 1340 AM, Miami
KCUB, 1290 AM, Tucson
KGMN,100.1 FM, Kingman

Key matchups/players

This week marks the first game without starting quarterback Carson Palmer for the Cardinals.  He will be replaced by Drew Stanton.  Stanton’s last start also came at the San Francisco 49ers on October 6th, 2016.

Meanwhile the 49ers are going to start C.J. Beathard at quarterback.  The last time these two teams played, Brian Hoyer was the starting quarterback. A lot has changed.

The 49ers traded with the New England Patriots for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo but he will not play this Sunday and may not play at all this season for the team.  Hoyer was released after the trade and signed with the Patriots.

Related Story: Arizona Cardinals: Reaction to Garoppolo trade predictable

The 49ers shouldn’t present much challenge given all of the injuries they have.  That doesn’t mean anything will come easy for the Cardinals on Sunday.  It’s never easy no matter the opponent.

The Cardinals must be able to stop the 49ers run.  Running back Carols Hyde ran the ball 16 times for 68-yards the first time these two teams met.

Two weeks ago the Cardinals allowed Rams running back Todd Gurley to rush for over 100-yards.  If they can contain Hyde, one of the few offensive weapons they have, then things will be looking up.

As far as the defense goes, the Cardinals could be without linebacker Karlos Dansby on Sunday.  Outside of Dansby, the Cardinals will need to create a pass rush against the 49ers offensive line.

Schedule