49ers vs. Cardinals: 5 Niners who must shoulder the load in Week 9
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: 49ers Right Tackle Mike McGlinchey
On the flip side, in order for the Niners to keep quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo upright, San Francisco’s own pass protection has to be on point, especially if it helps sustain offensive drives and limit what a still-potent Cardinals offense might be able to do this Sunday.
If there is a true liability in pass protection, it’s right tackle Mike McGlinchey, who has already been credited with a team-high two sacks and 13 pressures allowed this season. While there has been some modest improvement in this area, McGlinchey still has to be viewed as the weakest pass-protection link in the 49ers offensive line.
With injuries still playing a key factor, though, McGlinchey and Co. don’t have to worry about Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt wreaking havoc like he did the last time these two teams met back in Week 5, which produced a mere 10 points from the Niners offense in the 17-10 loss.
Still, Arizona’s pass-rushing tandem of Chandler Jones and Markus Golden is more than potent enough, recording a combined 11 sacks between them, although Jones’ five all came back in Week 1.
Jones typically plays on the weak side of the formation, however, meaning a Golden-versus-McGlinchey matchup is going to be one of the key determining X-factors to how San Francisco’s pass protection holds up.