49ers vs. Cardinals: 5 key matchups to watch for San Francisco

GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 27: Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals runs enroute to scoring a fourth-quarter touchdown, dragging Jimmie Ward #25 of the San Francisco 49ers with him at University of Phoenix Stadium on September 27, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. Cardinals won 47-7. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

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CINCINNATI, OH – SEPTEMBER 25: Joe Staley #74 of the San Francisco 49ers blocks against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on September 25, 2011 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Left Tackle Joe Staley vs. EDGE Chandler Jones

Cardinals edge rusher Chandler Jones has already made his presence known this season, accounting for four sacks over the first three weeks.

Preventing him from getting to quarterback Brian Hoyer will largely fall upon the shoulders of left tackle Joe Staley, who owns a 72.8 pass-blocking grade this season, according to Pro Football Focus, and will look to at least keep that number in place versus Jones.

Jones is perfectly adept at getting around the edge, as this strip sack against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2 shows:

But that’s not his only move. The previous week, Jones was able to deke inside and put pressure on Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, as shown below:

Simply put, Staley is going to have to hold his own against Jones. Fortunately, the interior pass protection has been the bigger problem for the 49ers.

But with Hoyer having taken 10 sacks already — tied for sixth most in the league — Jones is going to be a player Staley and Co. need to eliminate from the equation.