The 49ers play the Cardinals in Arizona Monday night. In the meantime, I’ll break down a couple of key matchups every day.
The 49ers pass rush vs. the Cardinals offensive line and QB John Skelton
The Niners have really struggled to sack the quarterback this season. They’re tied for 24th in sacks with just 11. Pro Football Focus ranks them 17th in overall pass rush.
On the other hand, the Cardinals’ offensive line is the worst in the NFL. They have no run game to keep pass rushers guessing. They give up 4.9 sacks per game. Their starting tackles – D’Anthony Batiste and Bobby Massie – have given up 22 tackles between the two of them.
On top of all that, John Skelton is a sack waiting to happen, suffering seven last Sunday to the Vikings.
Make Skelton have to reset his feet and slide in the pocket, and you have a chance for the sack because he does not have a lot of fast twitch.
Advantage: 49ers
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Skelton makes mistakes when pressured. On the INT he threw last week, he was under heavy pressure. I think that will be one of the keys to this game – make Skelton uncomfortable and knock him around.
Last week, the Vikings were able to contain L. Fitzgerald, but A. Roberts went off for 103 yards on 7 receptions (14.7 yds/rec). J. Skelton was 25/36 for 262 yards, 1TD, and 1 INT. Their running game can also be tough. L. Stephens-Howling rushed for 104 on 20 carries and 1 TD.
These guys will have a chip on their shoulders coming off of a loss and playing a divisional rival. I expect the Niners to contain their running attack. Containing Skelton will depend on the pass rush.
Skelton beat the 49ers last year by stepping up in the pocket and completing some very big passes. The 9ers defense needs to bring it.
It also would be nice if Dashon Goldson remembers when there is no one playing behind him.
This year he has claude
Balls
That’s how it is in football – the safety typically doesn’t have anybody behind him.
They won by two points last year and we had a pass rush.
What about last year Grant?
Skelton came in and won a lot of games. Including the one in AZ. Didn’t the Vikings own our OL earlier this year? Beating Staley a few times, the last time being the hit from behind on AS causing the fumble to ice the game.
This team beat us last year. One of only 3 during the season who did. Don’t discount them.
Skelton has been a pretty devastating passer against the Niners in his short career. A lot moreso than some of his brethren of higher repute.
Not sure he has been devastating against the 49ers. He had a good game at home throwing for 282 yards and 3 TD’s last season. His other two games produced 92 and 99 yards passing.
QB John Skleton is a sack waiting to happen?
YES
Next question.
The offense can not afford to go Quid pro quo with the Cardinals offense in its inability to be effective against yet another quality defense. To many three and outs and giving the ball back to a strong arm Skelton is a recipe for a Larry Fitzgerald highlight reel.
Az seems to always keep games close at home, we need to score add much as we can. Try to stay away from s field goal winnable game.
The Niners had a total of 6 sacks in the previous 4 games at Arizona, while the Cardinals had 10 sacks in those 4 games.
The Niners won the turnover battle 9-6 in those 4 games.
It was a split (both teams won 2 games).
So if we win the battle in both of those categories (sacks/turnovers), I like our chances.
We must put serious pressure on Skelton. Serious!! I can’t shake the feeling that Skelton and Larry and the Fitzgeralds are gonna burn our secondary!! I know thier Oline is ATROCIOUS, but it’s just been a splinter in my mind for some odd reason.
Grant I truly hope we can win this game however it’s not going to be a cake walk! This is going to be a close game and in order for us to get the w we must accomplish thd following:
Establish the run
Protect Alex and limit sacks
Ball must come out fast and we must control the pace of the game
Run screen passes when AZ brings the blitz
Our special team must play a physical game and cover
We must score TDs in the red zone and get more creative with the play calling
Defense must pressure their QB and bump Fittz
Also defense must bring down Fittz after the catch
Go Niners
Yeah….. In a perfect world LOL!!!!
He’ll look like Red Skelton Monday.