Cardinals vs. SF 49ers: 5 battles to watch in 2020 season opener

Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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George Kittle, SF 49ers
George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images) /

SF 49ers Battle No. 2: George Kittle vs. Budda Baker, Isaiah Simmons

Despite suffering both ankle and ribs injuries against the Cardinals on Oct. 31 last year, tight end George Kittle still managed to bowl his way through Arizona’s safety, Budda Baker, en route for a game-tying touchdown towards the end of the first quarter.

Granted, Kittle wasn’t available two weeks later after gutting through a six-catch, 79-yard, one-touchdown effort in Week 9.

But that doesn’t change the first-team All-Pro remains San Francisco’s top offensive weapon entering 2020.

The Cardinals must have been privy to the idea defending Kittle would be a must over the next few seasons, probably influencing their decision to use a first-round pick on Clemson linebacker/safety Isaiah Simmons during last April’s draft.

Simmons, while still a rookie, has a pedigree strong enough to make Kittle’s life more challenging, particularly with Baker helping over the top.

That said, Baker realized Kittle’s prowess and told ESPN (h/t 24-7 Sports), “you’ll probably see all of us on him.”

For SF 49ers fans, they’ll just want to see Kittle attempting to run over both Baker and Simmons throughout the course of the game.