With Brian Hoyer named as the starting QB, I don’t think there is much chance for the Cardinals against the 49ers. Even with a better quarterback, the Cards still have the worst offensive line in the NFL. Their offense is almost completely inept.
I feel sorry for Larry Fitzgerald because he is rotting on the vine with the Cards as a wide receiver without a quarterback to get him the ball.
I believe the Cards definitely will test the right side of the Niners’ defensive front to see how it holds up against the run without Justin Smith. With Smith, the 49ers run defense had been giving up 3.6 yards per carry, tied for second-best in the NFL. In six quarters without Smith, the 49ers are giving up 4.4 yards per carry, tied for 21st-best in the NFL. But the Cards’ offense is so bad (averaging a league-worst 3.4 yards per carry) I doubt they’ll be able to take advantage of the 49ers’ weakness.
The only way the final score is close is if the Niners go into an offensive shell and run the ball to protect their defense. The offense averages 11 series per game – one of the lowest averages in the league. I would not be surprised if they run only nine series against the Cards.
If the Cards offense goes three and out frequently, then obviously the Niners offense will get more series. I don’t see how the Cards can throw for more than 125 yards unless the Niners bust a coverage or two.
The Cards, with no playoffs in sight, have to be playing only for pride. Rumors are rampant of a coaching change down in the desert. Players who are going to hit the free agent market, like La’Rod Stephens-Howling and potentially Beanie Wells, definitely are auditioning for their next contract, but those running backs still have to get some blocking to be able to gain yards.
The Cards will be lucky to have two field goals.
The 49ers will beat them 20-6.
How do you see this game unfolding?
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I see a score of 27 – 3 Niners
Although a win heading to the playoffs is a positive, I hope it doesn’t create false confidence among the Team. 1 & Done will not be acceptable for this team, especially the way JH stuck his neck out there with the QB change.
Grant:
You said the same thing about the Rams and the Seahawks.
The Cards will probably win because your predictions are poorly predicted.
I’m feeling a little uneasy about Grant’s predictions too, Neal….Seems that when he says the 49er’s are going to blow someone out, they end up stinking up the joint and either escape by the skin of their teeth, or lose….hopefully, time has come for Grant’s luck to turn around…good for us, good for the 49er’s. Big win vs the Cardinals, a Packer loss to Minnesota…..on to a bye week and then the playoffs.
At this point, I could live ‘skin of our teeth’, particularly if it came with a first round bye.
@55 and Grump,
I can see a blow away but I am probably wrong, more like a close game and the Niners squeak it out at the end. I believe that inconsistent Roman will go back to basics and established the run, instead of the horrific call playing with the hawks, where he pass on the first 7 plays and guess what that did 3 and out.
I agree Neal it happens must of the time …..
The 49ers will defeat Arizona, and Minnesota will beat Green Bay, giving the 49ers the No. 2 seed and first-round bye in the playoffs.
Beanie Willis? I think you mean Beanie Wells.
My prediction: A whole lot of “why Grant why” in the comments section.
Aaaannnd go.
You have to admit, it’s fun to tease Grant about his kiss-of-death predictions. I tend to agree with him on this game which might be a double kiss-of-death. My predictions have been worse than Grant this year.
Cardinals offense is horrible but that defense is very good. Should be a good game.
Well get ready for a close game because the offense will be running more. I see it being close. And then they tear up the teams in the playoffs.
They better run! Seems that the losses this year all featured a lot of early passes and very few run attempts (before the score dictated the need to pass)
Assuming 9ers win and GB wins I believe we would host the 6 seed. I guess we would get the vikings or seahawks.
If the 49ers end up as the 3rd seed, they will be hosting either Minnesota, Chicago, Washington, or NY. The Seahawks are guaranteed no lower than the 5 seed.
Ahh -thanks
Niners should crush the cards. Only question I have is who will score more points niners O or D?
The 49ers will win because they always win the next 2 games after a loss!
Just no more injuries Sunday!
Best scenario….CK gets hurt ..AS will start playoffs …
Please disappear Prime…..this forum is much better without you and DS ..
You stink…
I dont see how the Vikings beat Packers Sunday.
Hey Grant I’m just curious as to why you feel sorry for Larry Fitzgerald? He made the choice to extend his contract less than 2 years ago for mega millions (even though AZ had terrible qb’s on the roster) as opposed to playing out his last contract and then going to a better team with a better QB. So in essence he chose the money and sgcurity over winning. So even though he is a good guy and a great player I don’t feel sorry for him. Like my mom says “he made his bed and now he has to lie in it”.
I had to swallow hard with Grant’ prediction. But in this case he may be on point. The 49ers will make a strong statement after their loss last Sunday and ensuing negative backlash from the media/fans.
Also, I see the Vikings winning in a close game over the Packers. In a word: Peterson! He may not surpass E.Dickerson, but he’ll have enough yards to keep the Vikes on top of this one.
Here’s my surprise pick this weekend: The C-hawks lose!
Ok, just wishful thinking, but it’s not impossible.
The Cards defense is #1 in the League in interceptions and #5 in sacks and #3 in red zone defense. Not the cake walk many are making it out to be.
Good thing their offense sucks !
Tim – Those are impressive rankings for the Arizona defense. I would expect high praise for Kap if he plays well vs this defense.
Even from the Kap skeptics.
It’s funny how some so-called Niner fans panic after one loss.
It’s actually the loss of their defensive MVP, not a single game, that is most panic inducing.
No doubt losing Justin has hurt us on the right side, but this is the NFL, if your backup cant keep from getting blown off of the blocks everydown, he should go play baseball. The Niners should easily be able to scheme around that specific problem with all the pro bowlers on D. We do need to draft a couple linemen and a couple Cbs, and on the offensive side of the ball, WR, WR, AND uh WR. I hope Jenkins comes flying out of the gate, and all the guys keep talking about his speed, so lets see what he has before we go calling him a bust. We should EASILY beat the CARDS, but thats one thing about the 2012 49ers I cant stand, CONSISTANT play week in and week out. I dont think Roman is all he is cracked up to be, and Ive know since I busted my cherry on Madden 1998 that its all about MATCHUPS…. You have to exploit the other teams weakness, not challenge it just because you think they arent looking for it. Take your matchups, and beat em down… Aldon Smith needs to step up, and if your a great player, you dont care who is playing next to you. With Willis, Bowman, and the rest of this talented D, We should be able to clamp down on the Cardinals lifeless defense.. Hope we can get some decent game planning going, cause we got the talent, just lacking on the play calling at times… GO NINERs…..
Lifeless OFFENSE. AND LETS JUST HOPE ITS JUST THAT…. Lets come out RUNNING IT DOWN they throats
I would hope that the Niners will run a lot. AZ is tops vs the pass and mediocre vs the run. Plus, the Niners NEED to get back to running first.
However, in their first game, as Jack pointed out, AZ stacked the box whenever the Niner personnel grouping showed run. That is the only way SF should end up primarily passing.
Given that the refs let Seattle hold Francois and Aldon S on every play, we should get a better sense of how the D will work without Justin this week. Having an officiating crew not obviously intimidated by their opponents’ home crowd should help our guys.
drsgrosse:
It seems that almost every player on Seattle’s defense holds on almost every play. It is so bad that even the Niner’s play by play radio guy,Ted Robinson talked about it on the knbr yesterday. (when he is usually very politically correct). Ted said something like …the refs are graded every game on how long the game is.If they call holding and pass interference on even 1/3 of the plays that the Hawks are holding on in every game,the refs would delay the game with so many flags that they would get a bad grade on their job for that week.Too many poorly graded weeks and a ref can be demoted. So since the Hawks are taught to cheat and because they do it so much,they actually get away with it 90% of the time because the refs want to keep the game flowing,while teams that hold FAR less are called on it more often.
Bring back the replacement refs,at least they had an excuse for being so darn bad !!!
That’s really not refs or replacement refs, Tim: That’s Goodell and the league office. Eventually Carroll’s assholery will likely force the league to respond, but they’ll likely try to look the other way as long as they can before being forced to crack down.
Since when is 20-6 a stomp? I’m nervous now!
Grant should be kicked in the shins every time he says the 49ers will stomp, demolish ,destroy etc,etc,etc the other team. Now I’m nervous LOL…
We lose 10-6…
Look, I’m doing my part countering Grant’s loopy predictions. This guy is the worst forecaster in the biz…
I see the Niners winning by 16 3/4 points.
Then I’ll be really happy.
As much as I love the 9ers, I say make em’ play. It’s more fun to watch them play the extra game and go all the way. So who cares? Let the cards fall where they may and if we don’t get it we get an extra game!