4 bold 49ers predictions for NFC West showdown vs. Cardinals

Niner Noise looks at some bold predictions for Week 4, as the 49ers look to start the season 4-0 as they host a surprisingly decent Cardinals outfit in a NFC West showdown.

The San Francisco 49ers have enjoyed a nice start to a 2023 season that's already thrown up some curveballs across the league, as the team is one of only three to start the season with a perfect 3-0 record (alongside the Philadelphia Eagles and Miami Dolphins).

Read More: Blitzing 49ers QB Brock Purdy doesn't work (and this stat proves it)


San Francisco is looking to get to 4-0 as it takes on a 1-2 Arizona Cardinals team that looks significantly better than those (myself included) who assumed it'd be the worst in football. Instead, quarterback Joshua Dobbs looks very solid, the running game is surprisingly well set up and the defense has been punching above its weight.

If nothing else, it might be a blessing in disguise for the 49ers that the Cardinals defeated a team some thought was better than San Francisco, upsetting the Dallas Cowboys 28-16 last week.

This means the Niners were given a big reality check not to look ahead to the showdown against the Cowboys in Week 5, and instead keep both eyes firmly in front of them in this divisional showdown.

Let's take a quick look at some big predictions for this 49ers versus Cardinals game.

Bold 49ers prediction No. 1: Christian McCaffrey breaks franchise record for most consecutive games with a touchdown

This one is technically cheating, if for no other reason than it isn't exactly a bold prediction. But let's get this one out of the way quickly.

Running back Christian McCaffrey has 12 straight games for the 49ers where he's hit the end zone, and he's tied the legendary receiver Jerry Rice in doing so after barrelling through for a touchdown last week on Thursday Night Football.

I'm not going to bet against him. McCaffrey will make the record his own on Sunday and go into the end zone for his 13th straight game with a touchdown to his name.

Let's go with two, in fact, with 150 yards rushing and receiving, and a touchdown running and catching the ball.

Bold 49ers prediction No. 2: Javon Hargrave will notch multiple sacks for the first time as a Niner

Javon Hargrave has been well worth the money the 49ers threw at him in free agency, with the defensive tackle already notching two sacks and 10 quarterback hurries in the first three weeks of action.

Hargrave has been the consistent pass-rushing presence that head coach Kyle Shanahan was hoping for when he became the big-money acquisition of the year, and that could play nicely into Week 4.

The Cardinals have been performing above expectations on offense, and allowing only two sacks to a strong Cowboys defense is certainly no mean feat.

But the 49ers are a different beast entirely, and they could very well be the most fearsome front four in all of football.

Hargrave has been in some stellar form and there shouldn't be much question of that continuing. Look for the Niners to create some havoc in the interior and Hargrave to cut through the interior blocking for two sacks on the weekend.

Hopefully, he won't be alone in getting on the stat sheet in that regard.

Bold 49ers prediction No. 3: Ronnie Bell will pop up for a second touchdown in as many games

Star wide receiver Deebo Samuel (knee, ribs) is reportedly suiting up for the game against the Cardinals, but fellow wideout Jauan Jennings (shin) probably isn't, which immediately frees up rookie receiver Ronnie Bell to get some meaningful snaps and some targets again this week.

Bell only had two receptions against the New York Giants in Week 3, but he made sure that nobody forgot them with his second reception being a grab off a deflected pass that hung in the air for eternity and the first also being his first touchdown off a strong contested catch:

While we shouldn't be expecting Bell to pop up with an alarming amount of stats given the nature of the 49ers offense, the chance is once again there for the rookie receiver to show the potential he's been flashing this year.

Look for quarterback Brock Purdy to throw a dart into the middle of the end zone for Bell to celebrate his second touchdown in as many games.

Bold 49ers prediction No. 4: Offensive line will keep Brock Purdy upright with no sacks allowed

While it's been nowhere near a disaster, the 49ers will still no doubt be a little bit nervous with their pass blocking as they're yet to put it together for all four quarters.

Now, to be extremely fair, the Giants in Week 3 shouldn't really count as they were throwing blitzes a ridiculous number of times, and the Niners held up rather well, but they're still not going to be happy entirely with their performance on the right-hand side of the offensive line coming in for particular scrutiny.

The Cardinals have been able to put reasonable pressure considering their roster was considered to be among the weakest in the NFL and defensive stalwart J.J. Watt retired in the offseason, but this could be the game where it comes together for San Francisco.

Look for the 49ers to help each other out on the O-line and keep Brock Purdy upright, with the talented quarterback also helping out with his quick release and savvy decision-making.

The pass blocking has been the one weakness in what has been an almost unstoppable force on offense, and this game could be what gets them into shape as they look to take on the rest of the 2023 season.

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