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The San Francisco 49ers are now 7-0 this season. While it's been mostly about their elite defense, the offense stepped up in Week 8. In that game, they beat the Carolina Panthers by a final score of 51-13.
Now they face off with the 3-4-1 Arizona Cardinals. Can the offense keep up its high-powered scoring though? Or will it fall back into leaning on the defense for a majority of the game?
Here are three bold predictions for the San Francisco offense against Arizona in Week 9.
3. Three Running Backs With 10-Plus Carries
The San Francisco offense has been very run heavy this year. That's mainly due to the fact that the 49ers have three running backs who have been nothing short of fantastic.
Tevin Coleman has 332 yards and five touchdowns on 71 carries. His 4.7 yards per carry is the lowest of the trio. He also has eight receptions for 61 yards and another touchdown.
Matt Breida has 446 yards and a touchdown on 84 attempts. His 5.3 yards per carry is the second-highest of the trio. He also has 12 receptions for 89 yards and another touchdown.
Finally, Raheem Mostert has 309 yards and a touchdown on 54 carries. His 5.7 yards per carry is the highest of the trio. He also has four receptions for 68 yards and another touchdown.
As you can see, all three running backs have been superb in 2019. They also make things much easier on each other. With all three playing so well, the 49ers don't need to run one too much. That allows all three to stay fresh.
In Week 9, San Francisco will want to attack Arizona's bad rushing defense. They've allowed 130.1 yards per carry and the 49ers should utilize that by running now stop. That means all three running backs get plenty of touches.
2. Jimmy Garoppolo Limits Turnovers
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo hasn't been great this year. He has nine touchdown passes compared to seven interceptions and four fumbles. So far, he's only had one game in 2019 without an interception, and in that game he fumbled once.
However, he has looked somewhat sharper in recent weeks. Meanwhile, the Arizona defense is not exactly instilling fear into its opponents.
The Cardinals have just seven takeaways on the year. To put that into perspective, only four teams have fewer, and the lowest is three by the Miami Dolphins. Meanwhile, the New England Patriots lead the NFL with 25.
Garoppolo will hand the ball off a lot and continue to show improvement when passing. This will lead to his first game without an interception or fumble.
1. Four-Plus Touchdowns
As mentioned before, the Cardinals' defense isn't very good. Meanwhile, it appears the 49ers' offense might have turned a corner.
Arizona's defense is allowing 27.9 points per game. Couple that with a San Francisco offense finding its footing and their defense being elite, and that could equal a lot of scores.
The defense could consistently give the offense good field position, and the offense has shown they can actually get the ball in the end zone. Four-plus touchdowns from the offense will be the result.
