The San Francisco 49ers will face their divisional rivals, the Arizona Cardinals, at home in Week 5. The Cardinals, currently third in the NFC West standings, are coming off a tough loss to the Washington Commanders. The 49ers, riding high after a convincing win over the New England Patriots in Week 4, are keen to maintain their winning streak. For the 49ers to ensure success this week, the 49ers must adhere to their 'Keys to Victory.'
Set the Tone on Defense
The Arizona Cardinals are a formidable opponent known for their physicality, particularly on their offensive line. However, the 49ers' defense can set the tone for the game if it matches or surpasses the Cardinals' physicality. It's not just about stopping the run this week, it's about being more fundamentally sound when dealing with the Cardinals' physical style.
The 49ers must wrap and tackle and prevent any explosive plays from the Cardinals' rushing offense. If the 49ers can consistently outmuscle the Cardinals, they will be victorious.
Containment
Unsurprisingly, the Arizona Cardinals' quarterback, Kyler Murray, is a threat out of the backfield. The 49ers edge rushers Nick Bosa and Leonard Floyd must remain disciplined on their assignments by containing Murray. Murray is the team's second-leading rusher with 164 yards and ten scramble plays, meaning he likes to get busy with his legs when the play breaks down.
The key is to remove the outside runs and force Murray to throw from the pocket. If Murray decides to take off from the pocket up the middle, use an occasional player to spy on him to limit his production.
Run the Ball
The Arizona Cardinals rank 25th against the run. The 49ers rank sixth in rushing. It's a no-brainer what Kyle Shanahan should focus on in Week 5 against the Cardinals. Jordan Mason should get the ball for at least 25 carries in this game. The Cardinals have allowed the Bills (125 yards), the Lions (187 yards), and the Commanders (216 yards) six total rushing touchdowns.
The 49ers average 141.3 yards per game on the ground. Rushing the ball is vital to keeping the Cardinals' defense out on the field, setting up the explosive plays downfield using play action, and, most importantly, not allowing Murray opportunities to ignite his team's offense.
Attack the Middle of the Field
The 49ers receiving corps, led by Jauan Jennings, could have a big day. The Cardinals rank 18th in passing, allowing an average of 208.3 yards per game. They are most weak at linebacker. Kyzir White owns the lowest Pro Football Focus coverage grade on the team.
As great as a defender Budda Baker is, his weakness is also in coverage. Brock Purdy should attack these weaknesses in the field's short and intermediate areas throughout the game to give the 49ers their best chance of securing victory. If Purdy is successful, expect him to look for explosive plays periodically throughout the game.
Be Disciplined
The Cardinals are the least penalized team in the league. They have drawn only 18 flags through four games, meaning they make the fewest mistakes. The bright side is that 13 of their 18 flags are when the team is on the road.
The 49ers are ranked 14th in the league, with 29 flags drawn, placing them in the middle of the pack. The 49ers must be disciplined on defense when dealing with a mobile quarterback like Murray. If it looks like he's about to slide his feet first, stay away from him to avoid unnecessary roughness calls, which are automatic first downs.
Murray will be the first real test of how the 49ers handle a mobile quarterback this season, and there are several new defensive pieces in play.
Offensively, the 49ers must address issues like illegal formations, false starts, and holding penalties. They can't afford to turn a first-and-10 into a first-and-15 or 20. If the 49ers can correct their mistakes and remain disciplined, they should win the penalty war over the Cardinals to secure the victory.
With the 49ers showing promising signs in their recent matchup against the Patriots, the potential to secure their first divisional win and improve to 3-2 is within reach. If they continue to play their brand of physical football and stick to their 'Keys to Victory,' they stand a good chance of reaching this milestone.
