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

By Peter Panacy

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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Oct 2, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Brian Quick (83) catches a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals defensive back Marcus Cooper (41) defends during the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Brian Quick (83) catches a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals defensive back Marcus Cooper (41) defends during the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 5: Target Cardinals Cornerback Marcus Cooper in the Passing Game

Head coach Chip Kelly should pay close attention to the Los Angeles Rams’ efforts on the road against Arizona.

The Rams bested the Cardinals 17-13 defensive standoff, which culminated in a game-winning touchdown pass from quarterback Case Keenum to wide receiver Brian Quick. Watch the video below:

Quick goes in motion and draws Cardinals cornerback Marcus Cooper in man coverage. Without any safety help, Cooper is on an island in the corner of the end zone.

Safety Tyrann Mathieu (No. 32) is out of position. And fellow safety Tony Jefferson (No. 22) is too slow to respond and assist.

Cooper is a weak link in Arizona’s secondary. Pro Football Focus grades him with a 75.8 overall grade so far. So isolating him in coverage will be a wise move.

The Rams did it. And their offense isn’t exactly top notch.