49ers vs. Cardinals: Grading San Francisco’s Week 4 efforts
Defensive line
Coming into the game against the Cardinals, the 49ers defensive line had a feast awaiting them. And oh did they eat well. With a porous offensive line opposite of them, the unit was constantly swarming Carson Palmer.
Palmer’s interception was a direct result of DeForest Buckner and Aaron Lynch hitting him. In all, Buckner had a dominant outing versus Arizona, recording two sacks, four tackles and a pass deflection. It was just like he predicted.
A perfect example of DeForest Buckner’s season so far. Extremely effective but a split second too late. #49ers pic.twitter.com/eAMkpl5qSE
— Rob Lowder (@Rob_Lowder) October 1, 2017
DeForest Buckner’s first sack of the 2017 season. #49ers pic.twitter.com/0DPPDkQhRM
— Rob Lowder (@Rob_Lowder) October 1, 2017
Eli Harold gets around the #Cardinals left tackle untouched for the sack. DeForest Buckner was right behind him. #49ers pic.twitter.com/OSbGpuhCHf
— Rob Lowder (@Rob_Lowder) October 1, 2017
The other components of the big three? Solomon Thomas also had a solid game himself, notching five tackles (two for a loss), one sack and four quarterback hits. Arik Armstead didn’t register a sack, but did apply quarterback pressure throughout the game.
Veteran Elvis Dumeril rounded out the impressive day with two sacks of his own. For the game, the 49ers had six sacks — they entered with three on the season.
Grade: A
Linebackers
Fresh off a disappointing game in Week 3, NaVorro Bowman bounced back with a productive outing versus the Cardinals. Bowman did drop an interception, but he still put together an useful game:
NaVorro Bowman having a decent game.
— Kevin Lynch (@klynch49) October 1, 2017
His eight tackles were tied for second on the team, and he also had a quarterback hit. Ray-Ray Armstrong had a very good game, leading the team with 10 tackles and also recording an interception, one sack and a pass deflection.
Grade: B
Secondary
Also on the heels of a bad performance in Week 3, the 49ers secondary didn’t fare any better and was picked apart by Palmer. Granted, they only gave up one receiving touchdown, but it came on the game winner.
In particular, it was an extremely rough game for Rashard Robinson. To put it lightly, Robinson did not turn in a good effort against the Cardinals:
Dontae Johnson has been more reliable than Rashard Robinson so far in 2017
— Kevin Jones (@Mr_KevinJones) October 1, 2017
Live look at Rashard Robinson right now. #49ers pic.twitter.com/D3o9LSohPZ
— Peter Panacy (@PeterPanacy) October 1, 2017
Rashard Robinson is not a good cornerback.
— Rob Lowder (@Rob_Lowder) October 1, 2017
Rashard Robinson's talk is cheap. Spent 1st week of camp hyping himself. After that, WRs easily beat him. Transferring into regular season.
— Jerod Brown (@JerodBrown_) October 2, 2017
That's five penalties on Rashard Robinson in the last two games. #49ers
— Jeff Deeney (@PFF_Jeff) October 1, 2017
Through four games played, Robinson is becoming a liability at cornerback. How much longer can the 49ers afford to keep him in there will be something to watch for moving forward.
For the game, Palmer finished 33-51 passing for 357 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Four different Cardinals receivers averaged 10 yards or more per reception. Definitely not the best overall game from this unit.