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

By Peter Panacy

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)
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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SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 11: Bryce Petty #9 of the New York Jets is hit by DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on December 11, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 11: Bryce Petty #9 of the New York Jets is hit by DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on December 11, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Defensive Tackle DeForest Buckner vs. O-Linemen Alex Boone & A.Q. Shipley

San Francisco’s best defender this season has, without doubt, been second-year defensive tackle DeForest Buckner.

Buckner’s 90.2 overall Pro Football Focus grade this season puts him at No. 3 among all interior defenders, just behind Miami Dolphins’ Ndamukong Suh and Houston Texans’ J.J. Watt.

That’s elite, and Buckner will have a chance to thrive against a questionable Cardinals offensive line in Week 3.

Arizona gave up six sacks and 11 hits to quarterback Carson Palmer in Week 3. And chief among the problems was Cardinals center A.Q. Shipley, as Niner Noise broke down earlier on this scheme piece.

Related Story: How 49ers pass rush can get on track vs. Cardinals

The 49ers only have three sacks this season, and Buckner isn’t on the list. But that doesn’t mean his pass-rushing presence is absent.

And by looking at the interior matchups, namely between Buckner, Shipley and former 49ers left guard Alex Boone, one can see how Buckner might be in position for a big day in Week 3:

PFF
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Of course, it would be nice if Buckner could “get a little help from his friends,” allowing edge rushers like Solomon Thomas, Aaron Lynch and Elvis Dumervil to attack a questionable Cardinals crop of offensive tackles.