Raising Zona
FanSided

Arizona Cardinals and the state of the NFC West

By Kyler Burd

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 11: Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks rolls out to pass against the Minnesota Vikings during the fourth quarter at CenturyLink Field on October 11, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 11: Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks rolls out to pass against the Minnesota Vikings during the fourth quarter at CenturyLink Field on October 11, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 25: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up before a game against the New England Patriots on October 25, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 25: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up before a game against the New England Patriots on October 25, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

With a giant win over the New England Patriots, the Super Bowl runner-up 49ers reclaimed a winning record and kept themselves in the race for the NFC West.

After opening with a  loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1, the 49ers have been up and down with both surprising wins and losses. Their complete dominance of the Patriots seems like this might be a team getting out of a rut and ready to start winning games again.

Strength

Kyle Shanahan is a phenomenal head coach. This an open challenge to anyone who disagrees with that.

Beyond his offensive scheming, which is one of the most beautiful creations of movement and misdirection to grace a football field, Shanahan is a leader of men. His players love to play for him and that can often be the difference between a win and a loss.

Weakness

The 49ers are still a talented team and one that could still be very dangerous. Their biggest weakness so far has, and will probably continue to be, Jimmy Garrapolo.

In the vein of quarterbacks who rely heavily on their head coach like Jared Goff, Garrapolo can be suspect at best in many situations. He put together a good season last year and made it to the Super Bowl, but how much of that was due to him or to a fantastic head coach and effective system is yet to be seen.

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The jury is still out on Garrapolo and will be until he exhibits the veteran decision-making abilities that quarterback of his age should be capable of.

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