The Arizona Cardinals will be rolling with backup QB Colt McCoy in this week’s contest, which generally means fewer pass attempts and more rush attempts.
The Cardinals are a 3.5-point underdog in this week’s contest, likely leading to a passing game script.
The Arizona Cardinals have run the most plays in the league this year, totaling a colossal 63.8 plays per game.
The weatherman calls for 4-mph wind in this game. Low wind generally means increased pass volume, increased TD potential, and increased passing effectiveness.
The Arizona Cardinals have utilized play action on 30.6% of their dropbacks since the start of last season (6th-most in football), causing the defense to bite on the run and resulting in much higher passing production.
Cons
THE BLITZ projects the Cardinals to run the least offensive plays on the slate this week with 61.6 plays, based on their underlying tendencies and game dynamics.
Opposing quarterbacks have passed for the 7th-least yards in the league (just 212.0 per game) against the San Francisco 49ers defense this year.
The San Francisco 49ers pass defense has shown strong efficiency this year, allowing 7.24 yards-per-target: the 8th-least in the league.
The San Francisco 49ers defense has been quite strong when opposing pass-catchers have gotten into space, giving up an average of 5.17 yards-after-the-catch this year: the 7th-least in the league.
The San Francisco 49ers linebackers project as the 3rd-best LB corps in football this year in covering receivers.