Niner Noise
FanSided

Ranking the 49ers’ 5 easiest games of the 2018 regular season

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 05: Drew Stanton #5 of the Arizona Cardinals is hit by DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on November 5, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 05: Drew Stanton #5 of the Arizona Cardinals is hit by DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on November 5, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 01: Kicker Robbie Gould #9 of the San Francisco 49ers kicks a field goal during the first quarter of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 01: Kicker Robbie Gould #9 of the San Francisco 49ers kicks a field goal during the first quarter of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Week 8 @ Arizona Cardinals

My, how things have changed in the NFC West.

Not long ago, the Arizona Cardinals were the lone team capable of challenging the Seattle Seahawks for divisional bragging rights. That’s changed now, especially after the retirements of quarterback Carson Palmer and head coach Bruce Arians.

The Cardinals won’t admit it, but they’re in the early stages of a rebuild. To replace Palmer, Arizona brought in oft-injured QB Sam Bradford. This will be his fourth team in five years, so make of that what you wish.

Arizona still has some noteworthy talent on both sides of the ball, namely running back David Johnson and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. It’s possible the home bout against San Francisco winds up going to the Cardinals’ favor, but not likely. If anything, this Niners road contest is the only thing preventing this Week 8 matchup from being ranked higher on this list.

But, according to ESPN’s Mike Clay, Arizona is projected to have 5.7 wins this season — the worst out of all 32 teams heading into 2018.

Yeah, this matchup has to be included.