49ers vs. Cardinals: 5 Players to Watch in NFC West Clash

Make it two in a row for the road-weary San Francisco 49ers with a 26-21 win over the scrappy New Orleans Saints. Mac Jones was poised and in command, tossing for 279 yards and three scores to Luke Farrell, Christian McCaffrey, and Jauan Jennings. Defensively, Fred Warner set the tone with 11 tackles and a fumble recovery (culminating in his fourth Defensive Player of the Week Award).

Rookie Upton Stout, Nick Bosa, and Bryce Huff each recorded sacks. Huff's sack ultimately iced the game on 4th down and preserved the victory. New kicker Eddy Piñeiro drilled two field goals, although a missed PAT on his first attempt was an inauspicious way to begin his 49ers tenure.

Up next is a date against division rival Arizona. The Cardinals are off to a surprising 2-0 start, with wins against New Orleans and Carolina. While their overall numbers may not jump off the page, Arizona's weapons are dangerous with athletic pass catchers Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride, in addition to a nice 1-2 punch in the run game with James Conner and Trey Benson. They are led by the diminutive and talented dual-threat quarterback, Kyler Murray, who has won his last three matchups against the 49ers played at Levi's Stadium.

5. Connor Colby

Left guard Ben Bartch suffered a high-ankle sprain early on last Sunday in New Orleans, which landed him on injured reserve (IR) this week. Seventh-round rookie Connor Colby stepped in and did an admirable job, essentially recording a clean sheet of no penalties as well as no pressures or sacks allowed against Mac Jones.

Presuming Colby's durability and run-blocking ability to spring lanes remains intact, his temporary hold on the left guard position until Bartch returns could become permanent. The 49ers like to run it over the left side, so if they were to be successful this week, Colby is a big reason why (so is Trent Williams, of course).

4. Brian Robinson Jr.

Although he has yet to pop on the field as the thunder to McCaffrey's lightning statistically, Brian Robinson Jr. could be in line to spot CMC even more this week, depending on the availability of Kyle Juszczyk, who may be sidelined due to a concussion. Some play calls in two-back sets could be in the cards this week (no pun intended).

Robinson's skill set includes power, good vision on the field, and versatility. The touches disparity between him and CMC through two weeks is significant (50 to 17), but if that can catapult to multiple 10-yard gains or a goal-line carry for a score for Robinson, that would be ideal for the 49ers.

3. Marques Sigle

Marques Sigle has performed very well after taking over for the injured Malik Mustapha, who has since been placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Although he was in coverage on the touchdown to Juwan Johnson last week (helluva catch by Johnson), Sigle has more than held his own, ranking third on the team in solo tackles behind Fred Warner and Nick Bosa.

And while the presence of Jason Pinnock and Ji'Ayir Brown has strengthened the safety unit, Sigle's physicality and athleticism have been on notice, especially in run support. As the last line of defense against Marvin Harrison Jr, Zay Jones, and Michael Wilson, passes defended or an interception should be next on Sigle's safety progression.

2. Ricky Pearsall

The wide receiver room is still down Brandon Aiyuk and Demarcus Robinson. Jauan Jennings had a touchdown reception in New Orleans and is trusted on third downs, but it is apparent that Pearsall is the man to target on the intermediate and deep routes, with his precise route-running.

Pearsall has tallied four receptions in each of the first two weeks, averaging 20 yards per catch. Expect even more production this week, regardless of who's starting at quarterback, considering Arizona is down three starters in their secondary.

1. Nick Bosa

The games between the 49ers and Cardinals have, at the very least, been spirited in recent years, with San Francisco winning five of seven with both Bosa and Murray playing. The improvisation and elusiveness of Kyler Murray is tricky to defend, but Bosa has more than held his own, recording two sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception. Bosa knows how to set the edge against outside runs and slow down the pass rush to prevent mobile quarterbacks like Murray from running up the middle.

Arizona left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. is the matchup across from Bosa this week. And while talented and athletic, Johnson can be susceptible to bull rushes, which Bosa excels at. The bottom line with Bosa, especially in division matchups, is that he comes up with a big play to impact or clinch the game in clutch situations. Hopefully that continues against a quarterback he's had success against head-to-head.