49ers Opponent No. 4: Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
In comparison to the rest of the league, Arizona Cardinals second-year quarterback Kyler Murray probably isn’t being viewed as a massive threat.
Aside from the fact he was the Associated Press’ 2019 Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Murray and the Cardinals went 0-2 against San Francisco last year, of course. But both games were surely frustrating for head coach Kyle Shanahan and Co. On Oct. 31, Arizona staged what was an awfully threatening comeback on Thursday Night Football, only saved by some key third-down conversions by Jimmy Garoppolo late in the game.
Two weeks later, the 49ers had to come from behind to ensure they would sweep the NFC West division series.
Thankfully, they did. Yet Murray was certainly a pest for San Francisco’s defense in both games, earning some noteworthy praise from now-Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner in the process.
Murray’s stat line from his two combined games against the Niners is impressive: 41-of-57 for 391 yards, five touchdowns including one rushing, zero interceptions and a passer rating of 114.0.
Tack on another massive weapon to Murray’s first-year experience, All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, and it’s not hard to see why the second-year quarterback makes this list.
Essentially twice.