SANTA CLARA, Calif. — – A clash with offensive challenges New England Patriots that was exactly what San Francisco 49ers“The defense had to get back on track.
A better test of whether these early season struggles were a temporary blip or a more concerning issue will come Sunday when the Niners (2-2) host Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals (1-3).
“He’s tough,” San Francisco defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen said of Murray’s dual threat. “Those guys are tough to deal with because he has arm strength and he can escape like a damn punt returner. He has elite quickness and doesn’t have to have his feet set to throwing the ball. So you have to be disciplined… It’s one of those track shoes type days.
San Francisco recorded six sacks and two putbacks last week when the The Niners stopped the Patriots after authorizing 6.1 yards per play the first three matches.
Now they have to deal with Murray.
Murray appears much more comfortable running Arizona’s offense this year than he did a year ago, when he returned late in the season following a knee injury. But performance was still up and down a bit.
He showed flashes in the opening match against Buffalo then he was at his best the following week in a victory over the Ramsin which he threw three touchdowns and made big plays with his feet.
Murray has been less productive over the past two weeks, with the Cardinals being held to 27 points in losses against Detroit And Washingtonadding urgency to this week’s game for Arizona.
“I have to be better,” Murray said. “To go out there and score 14 points, that’s not the standard we hold ourselves to. I feel like I’m surrounded by a lot of great players, so I would never expect us to let’s go out there and score 14 points. “We don’t practice for 14 points, but that’s the NFL. It’s not easy and I’m definitely expecting a better week this week. “
Scrambled Purdy
San Francisco Quarterback Brock Purdy will never be compared to Murray as an athlete, but he showed the ability to play with his feet this year. Purdy did a good job of extending plays by scrambling them and turning them into big passes down the field. He also ran more than last year, with eight first downs coming from scrimmages and keepers.
“I think it’s an overlooked aspect of his game,” Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon said. “Sometimes he’s like Houdini out there. It’s also hard to put him on the field. Unquote, one of those guys you talk about as a mobile quarterback, he’s very mobile.”
Murray–Harrison connection
The Kyler Murray-Marvin Harrison Jr.. The connection has been about all the Cardinals could hope for through four games. Harrison – the fourth overall draft pick out of Ohio State – caught 15 passes for 243 yards and four touchdowns, showing a knack for making tough catches in the end zone.
The four TDs lead all rookies and are tied for the NFL lead overall with Minnesota. Justin Jefferson. Gannon said Harrison’s best game came last week against the Commanders.
“I thought he threw the line of scrimmage really well,” Gannon said. “I thought his route running was deep and his execution down to the last detail, his routes were really good. I thought he won several face-offs. He was open several times and the ball didn’t find him , but I thought he was winning at a high level.
Fred the big game
Niners linebacker Fred Warner has delivered game-changing plays all season, with his 45-yard interception return for a touchdown last week against the Patriots. Warner has two interceptions, three forced fumbles and a sack in four games as he has taken the play that made him an All-Pro the past two seasons to an even higher level.
“I feel like he’s playing like the MVP of the whole league, definitely the defensive player of the year so far,” the cornerback said. Charvarius district said. “If he continues like this, it will be a legendary season for him.”
Warner missed the second half last week with an ankle injury, but hopes to play on Sunday.
Crush
One of the main reasons the Cardinals lost their last two games was a porous run defense that allowed 187 yards to the Lions and a season-high 216 to the Commanders. It’s unclear whether Arizona has the personnel necessary to reverse this worrying trend. D.L. Justin Jones was one of the team’s most important free agent signings, but he is out for the year with a triceps injury. First-round rookie Darius Robinson was also supposed to strengthen the defensive line, but he has yet to play this season due to a calf injury.
“We didn’t do a good enough job of stopping the run, so we’re playing behind the eight on defense all day and it’s a tough road to go,” Gannon said. “…We have to do the little easy things better. Setting the edges, tackling, getting off blocks and being in the right spot.”
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AP Sports Writer David Brandt in Glendale, Ariz., contributed to this report.
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