The San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals matchup could prove to be a tale of two teams. The 49ers have just concluded a Super Bowl LIV runner-up finish from last season while the Cardinals are gradually learning the ropes on how to reach football's biggest stage.
Moreover, the outcome of the game may have been a one-sided affair if the Cardinals didn't make significant moves during the offseason. However, the Red Sea looked serious to make progress as they acquired a game-changer in four-time Pro Bowl wideout DeAndre Hopkins, which ultimately made things more interesting for the matchup between the two teams.
The formidable 49ers going up against a revamped Cardinals side will certainly pose an exciting opening day action for football fans everywhere.
Here are the three bold predictions for the San Francisco 49ers in their Week 1 encounter against the Arizona Cardinals:
3. 49ers' defense will limit Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray was sensational in his rookie campaign last season en route to grabbing the 2019 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award. He also showed that he was a dual-threat gunslinger by way of his 3,722 receiving yards coupled with an impressive 544 rushing yards last season. Despite the promise, Murray still hasn't proven himself to be capable of overcoming a stifling defensive line on his own after a season in the league.
On the other side of the field, the San Francisco-based squad remains to be one of the most dangerous pass-rushing teams in the league even after the departure of defensive end DeForest Buckner. They are certain to exploit Murray and give him a hard time making plays under center.
The group is bannered by defensive end Nick Bosa who proved to be a star in his rookie campaign last season. Lining up with him will be veteran defensive end Arik Armstead and linebacker Dee Ford who both had significant contributions to the defensive line last season.
Fourth-year defensive tackle Solomon Thomas is looking to have a breakout campaign for the 49ers in the upcoming season while rookie defensive end Javon Kinlaw will aim to live up to lofty expectations set on him.
Not to mention the ever-reliable five-time Pro Bowl cornerback in Richard Sherman is still capable of making life harder for the Cardinals' receiving corps.
2. More 49ers' offensive players will step up to take the scoring load
Despite remaining to be heavily favored contenders, the 49ers did lose some key pieces during the offseason. Veteran wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders packed his bags and joined forces with another powerhouse in the New Orleans Saints. Sophomore wideout Jalen Hurd continues to miss action and is heading into the upcoming season with an injury for the second-straight year.
Another promising sophomore pass-catcher in Deebo Samuel was recently listed on the team's injured reserve list due to a fractured foot and will miss the first few weeks of the season. The gaping holes will allow the backup players to fill in namely fourth-year wideout Trent Taylor, rookie Brandon Aiyuk, and third-year wide receiver Dante Pettis.
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, two-time Pro Bowl tight end George Kittle, running back Raheem Mostert, and wideout Kendrick Bourne are also looking to carry a major chunk of the 49ers' offensive load.
1. The 49ers will win by a slim margin
The Arizona Cardinals have certainly improved over the offseason especially with the addition of several integral pieces to their roster. However, the San Francisco 49ers have more cohesion and experience as a unit and were just fresh from a Super Bowl LIV appearance. The team will certainly come out with aggression to start the season on a high note.
Despite being undermanned on the offensive side of the field, the 49ers' formidable defensive line will make up for the absence of their scorers and set the tone for the rest of the game. If all things go as expected, San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan and his men are a lock to run away with their first win of the 2020 NFL season.
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