With the San Francisco 49ers Week 9 matchup being against the Arizona Cardinals, we'll see who deserves to be at the top of the NFC West. It should be a great game, as both teams are fighting for a spot in the playoffs. We go over this 49ers-Cardinals matchup with our 49ers Week 9 predictions in mind.

Although they've struggled as a team this year, the 49ers' defense has played particularly well. With the Cardinals offense dealing with injuries, now might be the time for San Francisco to strike. It could be an interesting game, as Arizona could be without Kyler Murray or DeAndre Hopkins.

As for the offense, it hasn't been the prettiest sight, but the 49ers have promising pieces. The running back room is basically in shambles, so San Francisco could rely more on the passing attack. For that reason, we could see big games out of Brandon Aiyuk, Jimmy Garoppolo, and George Kittle. With that said, here are four bold 49ers' predictions for their game against the Cardinals.

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49ers Week 9 Predictions

4. 49ers defense steps up and shuts down the Cardinals

This is a perfect moment for the 49ers to take advantage of the Cardinals and steal a win on Sunday. Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins are questionable. Even if they play, they're likely not 100 percent. For that reason, we should see the 49ers be aggressive in this matchup and attack the backfield often.

3. Brandon Aiyuk reels in 100+ yards of receiving 

With Deebo Samuel potentially not playing in this game, it's time for Brandon Aiyuk to step up as a consistent pass option. He hasn't lived up to the hype this year. However, the Cardinals' defense took a blow with JJ Watt missing the rest of the season.

Brandon Aiyuk is an athletic freak who can take it to the house on any given play. He should be heavily involved with the game plan, especially with Samuel dealing with an injury of his own right now.

2. Jimmy Garoppolo impresses with 250+ yards and 3 touchdowns

Jimmy Garoppolo receives a lot of flack, but he's been a competent quarterback for the 49ers. He's gotten the job done for this franchise and has a Super Bowl appearance to show for it. Trey Lance is the future of this franchise, but for now, the starting job belongs to Garoppolo.

A solid performance on Sunday would be huge for Jimmy Garoppolo. The 49ers need him to be at his best if they hope to upset the Cardinals. Look for him to be active on Sunday, as this team aims to stay relevant in the playoff race.

1. George Kittle bounces back with a 2 touchdown performance

It's been a rocky couple of seasons for him, but George Kittle returns to the 49ers' lineup. It'll be interesting to see how he plays, as he's been on the IR for several weeks. When healthy, Kittle is one of the best tight ends in the league and he'll want to prove that on Sunday. For that reason, George Kittle could be in for a big game and help the 49ers defeat the Cardinals.