Top 5 Matchups to Watch for San Francisco 49ers vs. Arizona Cardinals

By Nick Richardson

Top 5 Matchups to Watch for San Francisco 49ers vs. Arizona Cardinals

San Francisco 49ers vs Arizona Cardinals
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Two weeks into the 2014 NFL season, the Arizona Cardinals find themselves atop the NFC West despite being without starting QB Carson Palmer. On Sunday, they host the San Francisco 49ers for an enormously important early-season division showdown. These five matchups will determine who comes out on top in the desert on Sunday.

5. Arizona's Offensive Line vs. San Francisco's Defensive Line

Justin Smith San Francisco 49ers
Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

5. Arizona's Offensive Line vs. San Francisco's Defensive Line

Justin Smith San Francisco 49ers
Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Carson Palmer’s status for Sunday’s game is up in the air, so if Drew Stanton is forced to start another game, then it will be even more important for Arizona’s offensive front to have a solid outing. The 49ers have a strong defensive line anchored by Justin Smith and they will be looking to cause a lot of pressure for whoever plays QB for Arizona.

4. Frank Gore vs. Arizona's Linebackers

Frank Gore San Francisco 49ers at Dallas Cowboys
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

4. Frank Gore vs. Arizona's Linebackers

Frank Gore San Francisco 49ers at Dallas Cowboys
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

The Cardinals’ linebacking corps looks completely different than last year’s version that was able to dominate many games. The foursome of Sam Acho, Kevin Minter, Larry Foote and Matt Shaughnessy must be able to contain Gore if Arizona hopes to win. Gore hasn’t been that busy this year, with only 29 carries for 129 yards through two games. But this will be a great opportunity for San Francisco to establish the ground game.

3. Arizona's Receivers vs. San Francisco's Secondary

Larry Fitzgerald Arizona Cardinals
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

3. Arizona's Receivers vs. San Francisco's Secondary

Larry Fitzgerald Arizona Cardinals
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

This battle will be greatly influenced by who starts at QB for Arizona. If Carson Palmer is able to play, the Cardinals have a lot of weapons in the passing game. In addition, Tramaine Brock is questionable for Sunday’s game, meaning Larry Fitzgerald and the rest of the Cardinals' receivers could have some favorable matchups. But if Drew Stanton starts, Arizona may not rely as heavily on the passing game.

2. Anquan Boldin vs. Patrick Peterson

Patrick Peterson San Diego Chargers at Arizona Cardinals
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

2. Anquan Boldin vs. Patrick Peterson

Patrick Peterson San Diego Chargers at Arizona Cardinals
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

While Boldin leads the 49ers in both receptions (10) and yards (133) this year, he has yet to catch a touchdown pass through two games. That quest for touchdown No. 1 will be a tall task against Peterson, who was rewarded with a big new contract this offseason, though, he has been quiet so far. This will be the most intriguing one-on-one matchup of the day.

1. Colin Kaepernick vs. Arizona's Secondary

Colin Kaepernick San Francisco 49ers
Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

1. Colin Kaepernick vs. Arizona's Secondary

Colin Kaepernick San Francisco 49ers
Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Seattle’s Legion of Boom gets all of the headlines in the NFC West, but Arizona has a pretty darn good secondary of their own led by Patrick Peterson. They could be catching Colin Kaepernick at a good time. Kaepernick had a rough outing last week, turning the ball over four times in a crushing defeat to the Chicago Bears. He has all the weapons in the world to work with, but none of that will matter if he can’t take care of the football.

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