The Arizona Cardinals (3–6) return home to take on the San Francisco 49ers (6–4) in what is pretty much a must-win game for them. Starting the season 0–3 in their division, Arizona can’t afford to drop another divisional matchup.
These two teams faced off in Week 3, when the 49ers won 16–15. Each team will be starting a different quarterback compared to last time, as the Cardinals start Jacoby Brissett and Brock Purdy returns from injury for the 49ers.
The Cardinals will be undermanned on defense, as both cornerback Will Johnson and linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. will remain out with their respective injuries. On offense, the team will also be without Marvin Harrison Jr., as he underwent an appendectomy earlier this week.
Arizona’s receiving corps this week will be Michael Wilson, Xavier Weaver, and Andre Baccellia, who was called up off the practice squad this week.
If the Cardinals want a shot at winning their first divisional matchup of the season, they will need to rely heavily on the run game. If they can’t establish a solid rushing attack with Emari Demercado and Bam Knight, we don’t see a scenario where they win this game.
The team is battered and bruised on defense, and on offense, they are limited to tight end Trey McBride as their only true playmaker.
As mentioned, San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy is making his first start since Week 4, as he was recovering from turf toe. While they have faced him in the past, it will be the first time since 2024 that the Cardinals will see Purdy. The fourth-year quarterback has a passer rating of 120 against the Cardinals in four career starts.
With the skill level and injuries, we don’t see a scenario where the Cardinals win this game.
Final Score: 49ers 35 Cardinals 10