Cardinals vs. 49ers: 5 Week 9 matchups to watch for San Francisco
By Peter Panacy
As the buzz still settles from the San Francisco 49ers’ trade for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, Niner Noise takes a look at the upcoming Week 9 matchup versus the Arizona Cardinals.
The San Francisco 49ers may have pulled off one of the biggest steals at the 2017 NFL trade deadline, at least according to CBS Sports’ Jim Nantz, who thought so on his appearance on KNBR 680’s Murph and Mac Show Thursday morning.
This, of course, being the deal for former New England Patriots backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo — a move that cost the Niners a second-round pick.
Garoppolo won’t start right away, though. He still has to learn head coach Kyle Shanahan’s playbook and develop chemistry with his receivers. And with numerous injury questions along the offensive line, it might be best to wait for a few weeks anyway.
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In the meantime, the 49ers still have a game this Sunday.
The 3-4 Arizona Cardinals visit Santa Clara in Week 9, and this might be the first game since Week 5 the Niners have a realistic chance at winning. Arizona is without veteran quarterback Carson Palmer (broken forearm) indefinitely, which means backup QB Drew Stanton will be under center.
Granted, Stanton beat the 49ers last year at Levi’s Stadium, but that was with running back David Johnson carrying the load.
Johnson (wrist) is also out indefinitely.
So, as the game nears, let’s take a look at five key matchups the Niners must win to pull off their first victory of 2017.
Starting off with that quarterback battle.