The 49ers are a huge 14.5-point favorite in this game, likely leading to an extreme rushing game script.
THE BLITZ projects the San Francisco 49ers as the 3rd-most run-oriented team among all teams this week with a 50.4% run rate, based on their underlying tendencies and matchup dynamics.
THE BLITZ projects the 49ers to run the 2nd-most total plays among all teams this week with 69.3 plays, based on their underlying tendencies and game dynamics.
THE BLITZ projects Christian McCaffrey to accrue 17.5 rush attempts in this contest, on average, putting him in the 95th percentile among running backs.
The Arizona Cardinals defense has had the 9th-worst efficiency against opposing run games this year, allowing 5.06 yards-per-carry.
Cons
THE BLITZ projects Christian McCaffrey to be much less involved in his team’s run game this week (50.4% projected Carry Share) than he has been this year (61.5% in games he has played).
Christian McCaffrey has been among the worst RBs in the NFL at picking up extra running yardage, averaging a measly 2.60 yards-after-contact this year while checking in at the 14th percentile.
The Arizona Cardinals safeties grade out as the 4th-best group of safeties in football this year in regard to run defense.
The San Francisco 49ers have gone up against a stacked the box on 18.6% of their plays since the start of last season, 8th-most in football. Positioning an extra defender near the line of scrimmage improves run-stopping at the cost of better passing efficiency.
The San Francisco 49ers have gone no-huddle on just 3.4% of their play-calls outside the two-minute warning since the start of last season (6th-least in the league). This slows down the pace, resulting in less volume and stat accumulation.