The Arizona Cardinals have one of their toughest tests of the season this week, as they take on the unbeaten San Francisco 49ers Thursday night. It is not your ordinary, run-of-the-mill Thursday night game, either. It is on Halloween night.
While the Cardinals have won the last eight meetings between the two teams, this game will be tough.
And since it is on Halloween night, the scariest night of the season, it is fitting we look at the scariest things about this game.
Nick Bosa
Bosa has seven sacks this season as a rookie. The No. 2 pick in the 2019 draft has transformed the 49ers defense. His pace for sacks could put him near setting a rookie record. The Cardinals’ tackle play has been adequate but it has not been great. And if Bosa lines up over right tackle, he might be facing a backup. With Justin Murray questionable, he could be looking at going against Mason Cole, who is an interior lineman, or Joshua Miles, a seventh-round rookie.
George Kittle
Kittle is not putting up the amazing numbers he did in 2018, but he is still the Niners’ leading receiver with 40 catches for 462 yards. The Cardinals have been bad at defending opposing tight ends. This could be a matchup nightmare.
No David Johnson or Chase Edmonds
The Cardinals will have to play the Niners without the only two running backs this season who have rushing attempts. David Johnson is officially questionable but it has been reported he is unlikely to play. Chase Edmonds has been ruled out. That means they will have to rely on Kenyan Drake, who was acquired this week, and two players in Alfred Morris and Zach Zenner, whom the team signed last week.
49ers’ rushing attack
Matt Breida and Raheem Mostert are both questionable with injuries for the 49ers, but their offense is based on running the ball. They are the No. 2 rushing attack in the league, averaging more than 181 yards per game. They have two backs in Breida and Tevin Coleman who have more rushing yards than the Cardinals’ leading rusher, David Johnson.
The Cardinals are No. 29 in rushing defense, giving up more than 130 yards per game. That’s not a good combination.
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