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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Sep 27, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) is tackled by by Arizona Cardinals linebacker Kevin Minter (51) at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) is tackled by by Arizona Cardinals linebacker Kevin Minter (51) at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3: Target Cardinals Middle Linebackers Deone Bucannon and Kevin Minter

Cardinals linebackers Deone Bucannon and Kevin Minter are better in pass coverage than against the run, per Pro Football Focus.

But neither have been particularly stellar in either category.

Midfield slants and cuts, especially featuring San Francisco’s tight ends, could be a way to negate Arizona’s talented secondary and force Bucannon and Minter into one-on-one matchups before help arrives.

It will be a tough challenge for a struggling Niners passing offense. But this group should get some help from its running game.

Arizona currently ranks 20th against the run and gave up a whopping 208 net yards on the ground to the Buffalo Bills in Week 3.

Yeah, head coach Chip Kelly should watch that tape too.

Niner Noise’s Robert Smith pointed out this weakness in Arizona’s defense as well.

Bucannon and Minter are graded below 40, by PFF, against the run. This isn’t a good number, for those not familiar with that particular system.

Let’s hope quarterback Blaine Gabbert looks more like he did in the first half of Week 4 than the second.