Live Updates: Week 1 - Arizona Cardinals vs. San Francisco 49ers

It's here! Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals take on Jimmy Garoppolo and the 49ers.

Sir Lancelot

Patrick Holloway

, and

Shanafandom

Sep 13, 2020

Halftime Show: https://twitter.com/patoholloway

(Santa Clara) - In 9 hours from this article's publication, the 49ers will kickoff their 2019-20 season versus the Cardinals, a rising divisional opponent. 49ers football is back - and many players are expected to make their 49ers debuts, including Jerick McKinnon, Jordan Reed, Trent Williams, Javon Kinlaw, and Brandon Aiyuk - a crazy group of talent. Sadly, this will also come while the beautiful state of California burns, once again from wildfires, this time caused by lightning strikes and a gender reveal party (yes, you read that correct). This will also come for the 1st time since 2007 without the stalwart, the legend Joe Staley starting at LT - a terrible loss for this team, though Trent Williams more than makes up for it.

Gameday

Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers (Levi's Stadium)
Kickoff: 1:25 PM PST
Spread: SF -7
Channel: FOX (KTVU), Fox Sports App, NFL app, Fubu TV
Radio: KNBR 680, KSAN 107.7, SiriusXM Channel 27
Announcers (FOX): Kevin Kugler, Chris Spielman, Laura Okmin

Injury Report (will be updated):

San Francisco 49ers
- Deebo Samuel, OUT
- Jason Verrett, OUT
- Tevin Coleman, OUT (likely not to play due to precaution with Air Quality)
- Brandon Aiyuk, OUT
- Ben Garland, OUT
Arizona Cardinals
- Josh Jones, OUT

1st Quarter: SF 10 - ARI 7

15:00 - Touchback, 49ers start the game with the ball.
11:50 - Drive stalls, Robbie Gould 52 yard FG is GOOD.
10:05 - Arizona goes three and out, after 2 straight completions from Murray.
9:53 - Raheem Mostert, 76 yard receiving TD from Jimmy Garoppolo on the 1st play.
7:14 - Blocked punt, Arizona starts at the SF 10.
6:55 - Chase Edmonds, 10 yard receiving TD from Kyler Murray.
5:23 - Wishnowsky punt, fair catch by Christian Kirk at the 19 yard line.
4:01 - Lee punt, Pettis returns punt for 9 yards to the SF 38.

Summary: 49ers started off really fast and physical, but the blocked Wishnowsky punt changed the momentum of the game - ARI scored as soon as they got the short field position on a play-action dump off to Edmonds out of the backfield. Garoppolo looks sharp but still immobile, taking a sack while standing like a statue behind this weakened OL. Mostert took a short angle route from Jimmy a whopping 77 yards to the house, destroying every angle Cardinals players had on him on the way.

2nd Quarter: SF 13 - ARI 10

12:30 - 4th down and goal, Mostert is stuffed at the goalline and Arizona takes over at their own 1 yard line.
7:53 - Zane Gonzalez 52 yard FG is NO GOOD.
5:26 - Wishnowsky punts 30 yards to ARI 6, Kirk to ARZ 14 for 8 yards.
3:00 - Jaquiski Tartt intercepts Kyler Murray with Greenlaw tip, returns it 15 yards to the ARI 26 yard line.
0:30 - Robbie Gould makes 24 yard FG. Kittle exits game with knee injury, possibly hyper-extension.
0:02 - Zane Gonzalez 56 yard FG is GOOD.

Summary: George Kittle goes out late in the 2nd with a knee injury - he hobbled off the field after a high throw from Jimmy had him take a bad hit. Garoppolo is not looking amazing at the moment, and the 49ers offense has no semblance of a rhythm. The Cardinals on the other hand look explosive and Hopkins is burning Moseley - 49ers need to get more guys involved.

3rd Quarter: SF 13 - ARI 10

15:00 - Chase Edmonds with a 41 yard return to the 37 yard line.
9:49 - Zane Gonzalez 49 yard try is NO GOOD.
5:51 - Andy Lee punts 41 yards to the SF 7 yard line.
2:22 - Mitch Wishnowsky punts 51 yards to ARI 6, no return.

Summary: Terrible quarter from the 49ers - Jimmy G is 1 for 9 on 3rd down and despite what the statline tells, has been thoroughly outplayed by Murray. Hopkins is on fire. Garoppolo and the 49ers cannot get anything offensively, even with a hobbled Kittle in the game.

4th Quarter: SF 20 - ARI 24

10:26 - Kyler Murray 22 yard rushing TD.
8:40 - Jerick McKinnon 5 yard receiving TD from Jimmy Garoppolo.
5:03 - Kenyan Drake 1 yard rushing TD

Prediction and Preview

This game is more important than people think: confidence is key and coming off a Super Bowl heartbreak, the 49ers best come out strong and get this win. The issue: Arizona isn't some slouch. They have the best WR corps in the NFL, and have a top-3 pass rusher in the NFL, with Chandler Jones.

For the 49ers on offense, exploiting matchups will be key - the Cardinals are good but not without weaknesses. The short passing game will be vital, especially with the weakness at interior OL. Kittle, Reed, and McKinnon will need to have big games along with Trent Taylor - why those four? The Cardinals LB/S core is elite but top-heavy, meaning that Kittle will garner most of the attention - leaving someone like McKinnon one-on-one with De’vondre Campbell which is a winnable matchup. Jordan Hicks is also good but he can't deal with Reed or McKinnon, assuming Simmons/Baker is put on Kittle. Trent Taylor should have a lot of space to work with in the middle. The main issue is pass protection: Chandler Jones. He's a terror, Trent Williamd and McGlinchey will need to limit him. The interior pressure will also be higher because of injuries, meaning five step dropbacks or more will be limited. On top of that, Pat Pete and Murphy on the outside presents a problem for Bourne and Aiyuk, another reason why the TEs and RBs need a big game.

Defensively, it is way different. Murray presents problems with his legs and scrambling ability, something the 49ers have seen for years with his inspiration in Russell Wilson. Even with the Cardinals below average OL, his legs will be a big factor as well as his elite ability to throw on the run. Sherman and Hopkins will be a popcorn worthy matchup, but the others are not ideal for the 49ers - Christian Kirk is a top slot WR in the league, and Larry Fitzgerald is guaranteed, as always, to have a couple big plays. Kenyan Drake is a talented runner but with that OL and this DL, he will be relegated to a passing option. Dan Arnold, the Cards TE, is also a rising star and was noted as someone to watch during the Q&A.

49ers X-Factor: Jerick McKinnon

If McKinnon can open up the short passing game, he opens up everything else for the 49ers - Jet routinely burns good LBs, imagine what he does to Arizona.

Cardinals X-Factor: Zach Allen

If Allen, the DE/DT hybrid, can step up in Year 2 and provide somewhat of a pass rush off the edge outside of Chandler, it would be huge for a team that desperately needs it.

Predictions by FTN Staff

SF 31 v. ARI 28 - Shanafandom

49ers win 31-28. Week 1 is tricky to predict but I’ll trust the team with more continuity. Arizona still doesn’t have a great o-line and has to deal with the likes of Armstead, Ford, and Bosa. Chandler Jones scares me on defense, but I don’t think they can handle our tight ends in Simmons first game. And Murray hasn’t played with Hopkins yet. It’ll be close, but the Niners will clutch it out.

SF 34 v. ARI 23 - Riqonator

I share a similar outlook with Shanafandom, but I think the margin is further. The game will be close but experience will give them the advantage late game - and the battles in the trenches will determine this game.

While you are here, if you are into rock music, check out this Bay Area, 49ers fan based band, Thump Whistle - they are a key member of this community.

Leave a like and comment to support us if you like the article and our content, or if you have criticism, or simply for discussion. Check out our best content, including Part 1 and Part 2 of an in-depth look into Jimmy Garoppolo, where we look at what his issues were last season, and a in-depth look into the Kittle vs. Kelce argument.

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