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

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) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 05: Adrian Peterson #23 of the Arizona Cardinals rushes with the ball against 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: Adrian Peterson #23 of the Arizona Cardinals rushes with the ball against 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) /

No. 2: Week 5 vs. Arizona Cardinals

Just like our five-toughest-games list, there’s a 49ers opponent from the NFC West appearing here twice.

For the easy side, though, it’s the Cardinals.

As noted earlier, Arizona makes for an easy opponent based off the notion they’re going through a massive roster overhaul. Sure, the Cardinals could come into Levi’s Stadium and pull off an upset. Especially if quarterback Sam Bradford is still healthy by Week 5, and he has the full complement of offensive weapons in running back David Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald.

But Bradford hasn’t played a full year since 2012 and will be operating behind a Cardinals offensive line that ranked 25th in pass protection last year, per Football Outsiders.

Yeah, not a good formula for Arizona.

There’s a reason why the Cardinals are widely viewed to be the team bringing up the bottom of the NFC West this year, and San Francisco should easily sweep the season series.