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Cardinals vs. 49ers: Full Week 9 preview for San Francisco

By Logan Stanley

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 01: Running back Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes the football against the Arizona Cardinals during the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the 49ers in overtime 18-15. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 01: Running back Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes the football against the Arizona Cardinals during the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the 49ers in overtime 18-15. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 01: Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers hits quarterback Carson Palmer #3 of the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 01: Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers hits quarterback Carson Palmer #3 of the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

Offensive & Defensive X-Factors for San Francisco

How about some blocking, offensive line?

There really is no other way to word this — the San Francisco offensive line has been bad this season. Outside of tackles Joe Staley and Trent Brown, who both have been solid in 2017, the offensive line play has been sub-par to say the least.

Staley has graded out at 77.5 for PFF, which is 18th among all tackles. Brown is close behind at 76.8, ranking 21st. While those are certainly respectable grades, the fact that the 49ers have zero linemen above the 80 percentile is a little bit concerning.

The next highest graded linemen? Guard Brandon Fusco, whose 71.4 PFF grade ranks 25th among players at his position. And it just gets lower from there, signaling the overall porous quality of the unit.

Last week, Beathard was pressured on 38 percent of his 45 dropbacks, leading to an absymal outing for the rookie. Beathard only completed three of 10 passes for 31 yards with one interception while under duress and was sacked four times.

Whether it be Beathard or Garoppolo under center, there has been to blocking if there is any success to be found.

Time for DeForest Buckner to eat, again

Last time these two teams played back on Oct. 1, the 49ers nearly won the game. And a main reason why they did was the presence of defensive lineman DeForest Buckner. A force to be reckoned with, Buckner filled up the stat sheet registering four total tackles (two for loss), one sack, one pass deflection and four quarterback hits.

It was the kind of performance one has come to expect from Buckner, as the second-year player has established himself as one of the league’s best young defensive lineman.

Also joining Buckner on the list of lineman who excelled against the Cardinals was Elvis Dumervil. For the game, Dumervil recorded two sacks of his own. In all, San Francisco had six sacks versus Arizona, which is the most they have recorded in a game this season.

With Carson Palmer out with an injury, the 49ers should be licking their chops at the matchup awaiting them. Why? Because of this:

Get your forks ready.