49ers training camp: 5 under-the-radar stories to watch in 2020

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Jeff Wilson, San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images) /

No. 4: The San Francisco 49ers vs. the Arizona Cardinals

I’ve said it before, but I really do believe the Arizona Cardinals are a real threat to the 49ers in the NFC West, and a season similar to what the 49ers accomplished in 2019 isn’t the craziest idea in the world.

I’m not saying the Cardinals make the Super Bowl, but snag a playoff spot? I think it could happen.

The Cardinals have done a very good job assembling talent, and the team has the benefit of an easier schedule courtesy of finishing in last place a year ago, facing one of the easier divisions in the NFL in the NFC East in the divisional matchup, as well as the knowledge both times they played San Francisco that they gave an almighty fight.

Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins was swindled from the Houston Texans by the Cardinals to pair with quarterback Kyler Murray, linebacker Isaiah Simmons was a steal and is the perfect defensive weapon to put against George Kittle and Josh Jones was a tackle I had going in the first round of my mock draft.

How the 49ers deal with the season will be interesting to see, and I think the Cardinals are going to be a very tricky opponent for the division.