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Cardinals vs. 49ers: Week 5 Grades and Analysis for San Francisco

By Peter Panacy

Oct 6, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) catches a 29-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter as San Francisco 49ers strong safety Antoine Bethea (41) and cornerback Tramaine Brock (26) defend during a NFL game at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 6, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) catches a 29-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter as San Francisco 49ers strong safety Antoine Bethea (41) and cornerback Tramaine Brock (26) defend during a NFL game at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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November 29, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) tackles Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Johnson (23) during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 29, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) tackles Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Johnson (23) during the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive Grades

Hey, the 49ers allowed less than 300 all-purpose yards in Week 5, which is the fewest given up since their Week 1 victory over the Los Angeles Rams.

Oh, but the defense was facing Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton. Not Carson Palmer. Sorry for the buzzkill.

Safety: C

Second-year pro Jaquiski Tartt was one of the few bright spots on defense. Per Pro Football Focus, Tartt finished the night with an overall 80.7 grade on the night. We saw hints of safety Eric Reid implementing his will, but that was about it.

And veteran Antoine Bethea? He did more to keep cornerback Tramaine Brock out of the game than anything else.

Oct 6, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers strong safety Antoine Bethea (41) reacts after colliding with cornerback Tramaine Brock (26) during a NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 6, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers strong safety Antoine Bethea (41) reacts after colliding with cornerback Tramaine Brock (26) during a NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Cornerback: D

San Francisco is really missing cornerback Jimmie Ward (quad) right now. Rookie Rashard Robinson is one of the few bright spots on this defense. He allowed just 11 yards on 31 coverage snaps in Week 5, per PFF’s Mike Renner.

And while PFF graded Brock high on the night (80.8), the only two passes he allowed happened to be touchdowns.

Linebacker: C-

At least the 49ers have linebacker Aaron Lynch back. He managed two quarterback hurries and one tackle for a loss on the night. And Nick Bellore, playing in place of NaVorro Bowman (Achilles), was also a top-graded PFF performer (78.6).

Still, this group didn’t prevent Arizona from gaining a whopping 172 yards on the ground. Missed tackles were also a culprit. We’re talking you, Ahmad Brooks.

Defensive Line: D-

Yes, the 49ers defensive line generated some pressure. And it’s likely we’ll see more of rookie defensive end Ronald Blair in coming weeks.

Second-year pro Arik Armstead looks as if his shoulder is bothering him quite a bit. He’s not generating the havoc at the line of scrimmage we were expecting this season.

Stanton was sacked once — once — on the night. It’s supposed to start up front, but it sure didn’t for San Francisco.

Cumulative Grade: D+