Arizona Cardinals @ San Francisco 49ers live on Sky Sports 1
Thursday 6 October 2016 23:57, UK
Another NFC West match up as the Arizona Cardinals travel to the San Francisco 49ers looking to kick start their season.
Following a 28-0 shut out win over the Los Angeles Rams on the opening day of the season, the 49ers have suffered three consecutive defeats and slipped to a 1-3 record. Questions still remain over the 49ers quarterback selection as Blaine Gabbert continues to struggle, and Chip Kelly will be without Navorro Bowman after the linebacker tore his Achilles, ruling him out for the rest of the season.
The Cardinals face their own quarterback problems after Carson Palmer was ruled out, following a concussion in Arizona's 17-13 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Back up Drew Stanton threw two interceptions in relief last week and will be relied on to manage the game from the start.
Though both teams have begun the season 1-3, it is the Cardinals that have surprised with their slow start. Despite one of the best wide receiver trios in the league (Larry Fitzgerald, John Brown and Michael Floyd) and running back David Johnson who had an impressive rookie year, Arizona have so far failed to live up to their pre-season billing as Super Bowl contenders.
Both teams have one divisional loss already and will not want to drop another. With the Rams at 3-1 atop the NFC West, the prospect of dropping to 1-4 for either team is motivation enough to get the win and keep themselves in the play-off conversation. Fitzgerald in particular will relish this game after scoring more touchdowns against the 49ers than any other player in NFL history (14). He also has the most yards gained playing San Francisco than any other team he's faced (1,854).
Key match ups
David Johnson v 49ers linebackers
The 49ers was least in run defence before the injury of Bowman and, with Stanton replacing Palmer at quarterback, all signs point to the Cardinals going run heavy. Johnson has over 500 total yards so far this season and will look to pile on San Francisco's frail defence.
Quarterback battle
This game is about holding court for both quarterbacks. After a shaky start, many questions still remain regarding Blaine Gabbert's ability as a starter, and there are murmurs that Colin Kaepernick may get his chance sooner rather than later.
For Stanton, he has the surrounding talent and a defence that will make plays to get him the ball back. The Arizona offensive line have already allowed 12 sacks this season but if the 2007 second round pick can hand the ball off to Johnson and let him do the week, he should come out of this one unscathed.
Watch the Cardinals @ 49ers on Friday October 7 from 12:30am on Sky Sports 1
