Previewing Each Game on the San Francisco 49ers 2016 Schedule
By Peter Panacy
Week 10 at Arizona Cardinals
Sunday, November 13 at 4:25 p.m. ET
The last time the 49ers played in Arizona against the Cardinals, then-starting quarterback Colin Kaepernick tossed four interceptions en route to a 47-7 route at the hands of head coach Bruce Arians’ squad.
It was about as ugly a loss, out of many, the Niners had that season.
Having a chance to beat Arizona at Levi’s Stadium is one thing. Beating the Cardinals on the road is an entirely different matter.
Arizona lost just two games at home last season. But hey, two of their three 2015 losses were at home, so it’s possible the Cardinals are more susceptible to home losses, right?
Yeah, not exactly.
Why the 49ers Win
Everything, and we mean everything, would have to go wrong for the Cardinals.
Assuming quarterback Carson Palmer stays healthy — it’s a big assumption at this point — the 49ers would have to generate turnovers and force more 3-and-outs than they’ve been accustomed to doing so in recent campaigns.
The 49ers aren’t exactly laden with playmakers capable of accomplishing this, but there’s a halfway decent chance some standouts have emerged within San Francisco’s defense.
Maybe, just maybe, the Niners figure out that tough Arizona defense and get lucky along the way.
Why the 49ers Lose
The same reason as before, only the Cardinals’ home-field advantage plays an even bigger role.
Assuming everyone is healthy for Arizona, the Red Birds simply have too much firepower on both sides of the ball to let the 49ers stay in the game for very long. And we haven’t even mentioned offseason acquisition, defensive end Chandler Jones.
Having signed Matheiu, Palmer and Fitzgerald this week, who is next for GM Steve KKeim? DE Chandler Jones, acquired in NE trade, per source
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) August 6, 2016
This Week 10 contest may not be as ugly as it was in Week 2 last year, but it won’t be pretty.
Next: Week 11 vs. New England Patriots