Week five feels right for Arizona Cardinals victory

This Sunday’s matchup at Levi’s Stadium could provide the perfect backdrop for the Arizona Cardinals’ first triumph of 2018

It took four weeks, but the Arizona Cardinals finally appear to be heading in the right direction. Despite the fact that they have yet to win a game, the Cards no longer resemble the worst team in the NFL. It’s now time to put an end to that humiliating losing streak.

The San Francisco 49ers are in line to become Arizona’s first victim of 2018. The Cardinals’ offense has become viable, now that veteran passer Sam Bradford has been benched. Exciting rookie Josh Rosen has been inserted into the lineup, and has proceeded to pump some life into the scoring attack.

Rosen’s impact has been tremendous. Running back David Johnson is looking like his explosive self again. Young pass-catchers like Christian Kirk, Ricky Seals-Jones and Chad Williams have picked up their play with the new quarterback at the controls.

There’s been obvious improvement on the defensive side of the ball as well. Safeties Budda Baker, Antoine Bethea and Tre Boston have combined for 92 tackles through four weeks of action. Defensive linemen Chandler Jones, Robert Nkemdiche and Benson Mayowa have accounted for seven of the squad’s 10 quarterback sacks.

The 49ers, on the other hand, have been ravaged by injuries. Jimmy Garoppolo, acquired from the New England Patriots in a trade last season, was the biggest loss. San Francisco’s franchise player underwent surgery this past Wednesday to repair the torn ACL that he suffered in week three.

The 49ers took their first big hit a week before the season opener. Running back Jerick McKinnon, a free agent pickup from the Minnesota Vikings, tore an ACL during a practice. Another offseason addition, cornerback Richard Sherman, has been hampered by a calf strain that may keep him out of the Cards contest.

Now engineering the Niners offense is second-year quarterback C.J. Beathard. McKinnon’s replacement, Matt Breida, ranks third in the league with 313 rushing yards. Linebacker Fred Warner leads the team in tackles with 43, and defensive end DeForest Buckner leads the club in sacks with three and a half.

All things being even, this one smells like a victory for Arizona. Four defeats to start off the campaign is more than enough. The Cardinals should be putting an end to their losing ways come Sunday.