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Cardinals vs. 49ers: 5 Week 9 matchups to watch for San Francisco

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 28: Kerwynn Williams #33 of the Arizona Cardinals advances the ball against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on December 28, 2014 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Don Feria/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 28: Kerwynn Williams #33 of the Arizona Cardinals advances the ball against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on December 28, 2014 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Don Feria/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – NOVEMBER 13: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals runs during the first half of the NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers at University of Phoenix Stadium on November 13, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals beat the 49ers 23-20. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – NOVEMBER 13: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals runs during the first half of the NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers at University of Phoenix Stadium on November 13, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals beat the 49ers 23-20. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) /

No. 1: 49ers’ Leon Hall vs. Cardinals’ Larry Fitzgerald

It doesn’t matter who’s delivering the ball for the Cardinals. Arizona veteran wideout Larry Fitzgerald is still a dangerous weapon, and he’ll have a prime chance to make an impact against an ever-changing 49ers secondary.

Cornerback Rashard Robinson is no longer part of the picture, giving way to the rookie, Ahkello Witherspoon.

Witherspoon might see some chances against Fitzgerald on Sunday, but the Cardinals love to work the likely Hall of Famer out of the slot. With top slot receiver K’Waun Williams questionable with a quad injury, the likely matchup falls between Fitzgerald and backup cornerback Leon Hall.

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Hall, an 11-year veteran, certainly has more experience than Williams. But he’s certainly not as fast or agile as his days with the Cincinnati Bengals, and the Niners have used him just once this season in Week 8 versus the Philadelphia Eagles. And just 33 total snaps.

The good thing, though, is Hall’s coverage might not have to be pinpoint. We’ve already touched on the accuracy problems quarterback Drew Stanton has, so the tight windows in which Fitzgerald thrives may not be available.

This is a matchup the Niners could exploit, as Hall and San Francisco’s secondary looks to take the veteran wide receiver out of the game.

Next: Round 1 Mock NFL Draft after trade-deadline flurry

The 49ers and Cardinals kick off at 4:05 p.m. ET from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.