The SF 49ers kickoff the 2020 season at home against the Cardinals. Niner Noise looks at three keys to a Niners victory.
Finally! Football is back!
And while it may have a much different look and feel to it, it’s still live pro football. The SF 49ers will look to get off to a quick start to the season with a division win against the Arizona Cardinals this Sunday afternoon at Levi’s Stadium.
The stadium will be without fans for now, which could be advantageous for the Cardinals on the road. In addition, a shortened and limited training camp will mean the Niners will need to rely on the familiarity and continuity of a roster relatively intact from last season to counter a team that some analysts say could challenge for the NFC West crown this season.
While that may sound a bit hyperbolic, considering the Niners beat them twice in 2019, the Cardinals and quarterback Kyler Murray did prove to be a tough opponent for San Francisco last year. The Niners needed a comeback in the final moments to eke out a 36-26 win in November, which followed a 28-25 contest just two weeks before that required the 49ers holding on for the win after leading 21-7. With the addition of all-world wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins from the Houston Texans this offseason, Arizona’s offense may be even more dangerous this season, and the team may be more of a threat to the SF 49ers’ reign atop the NFC West.
San Francisco is still the favorite to win the division again this year, and a season-opening victory against the Cardinals will be predicated on these three keys.