Cardinals vs. 49ers: 5 Arizona Weaknesses San Francisco Needs to Exploit in Week 5

Nov 29, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals free safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) intercepts the pass intended for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Quinton Patton (11) during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals free safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) intercepts the pass intended for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Quinton Patton (11) during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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The San Francisco 49ers need to exploit these five primary weaknesses the Arizona Cardinals have if the Niners want to pull off a Week 5 upset at Levi’s Stadium.

Nov 29, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vance McDonald (89) runs in for a touchdown against Arizona Cardinals free safety Rashad Johnson (26) during the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The Arizona Cardinals defeated the San Francisco 49ers 19-13. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vance McDonald (89) runs in for a touchdown against Arizona Cardinals free safety Rashad Johnson (26) during the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The Arizona Cardinals defeated the San Francisco 49ers 19-13. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Not surprisingly, the San Francisco 49ers are 3.5-point underdogs to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 5, according to Odds Shark.

And if you were asking about this game a year ago, one would think a blowout is on the horizon.

Arizona was a 13-win team a year ago, en route to a trip to the NFC Championship game. The 49ers? Well, there struggles are already known.

But the Cardinals (1-3) are looking nothing like the Super Bowl-contending team many felt could hoist the Lombardi Trophy this season. Head coach Bruce Arians’ offense is scuffling, the run defense is suspect and key injuries have already taken a toll.

Can San Francisco pull off an upset?

Absolutely. For starters, Thursday Night Football games often favor the home team. Even short travel distances mean less time for preparation, rest and recovery. The Niners have an advantage here. Arizona does not.

Yet there are other ways too. Let’s look at those factors as well.