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Cardinals vs. 49ers: 5 San Francisco storylines to watch in Week 9

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 06: Andre Ellington #38 of the Arizona Cardinals rushes with the ball against the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on October 6, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 06: Andre Ellington #38 of the Arizona Cardinals rushes with the ball against the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on October 6, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 29: C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers is sacked by Fletcher Cox #91 of the Philadelphia Eagles in the second quarter during their game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 29, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 29: C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers is sacked by Fletcher Cox #91 of the Philadelphia Eagles in the second quarter during their game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 29, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

No. 3: 49ers’ Own Pass-Protection Woes

Remember that previous stat from Football Outsiders? Yeah, the 49ers haven’t exactly done a commendable job in pass protection.

This doesn’t bode well for a quarterback like C.J. Beathard, whose pocket presence isn’t exactly a strength. As pointed out by Pro Football Focus’ Jeff Deeney, the Philadelphia Eagles took full advantage of this in Week 7:

While not the only factor, this approach certainly had its impact. Beathard finished that game with a 46.9 passer rating.

Beathard’s woes won’t be helped by a banged-up 49ers offensive line likely without left tackle Joe Staley (eye) and possibly without right tackle Trent Brown (concussion). Meanwhile, Arizona EDGE Chandler Jones looms with a team-leading eight sacks on the year.