Before the season began no one would have predicted the Arizona Cardinals would be 1-3 and are in need of a win. Arizona will be playing their second game in four days on Thursday Night Football in a must-win game against the San Francisco 49ers.

Injuries plague both teams

Drew Stanton will get the start for an injured Carson Palmer on Thursday Night. (Source: Norm Hall/Getty Images North America)
Drew Stanton will get the start for an injured Carson Palmer on Thursday Night | Source: Norm Hall - Getty Images North America

The biggest blow that Arizona is dealing with right now is the loss of quarterback Carson Palmer. Palmer went into concussion protocol after exiting the game against the Los Angeles Rams. Head coach Bruce Arians had some hope that Palmer would be able to go out and play Thursday night, but backup Drew Stanton will likely get the start.

Arizona will also be without the services of running back Chris Johnson and Tyvon Branch as they were placed on the IR with groin injuries. Depending on who recovers fastest, either of the two can return December 4th against Washington. Kerwynn Williams was re-signed to take Johnson's spot on the roster.

For San Francisco, their best player will be out for the rest of the year. Linebacker Navorro Bowman will undergo season-ending surgery to repair his Achilles tendon, the injury he sustained in the third quarter against the Dallas Cowboys.

Starters DeForest Buckner (foot) and Jimmie Ward (quad) have not practiced so far this week. Arik Armstead and Chris Davis will have to step up if they cannot play.

49ers run game will be a factor

Carlos Hyde hopes to have another big game against another NFC West rival (Source: Christian Petersen/Getty Images North America)
Carlos Hyde hopes to have another big game against another NFC West rival | Source: Christian Petersen - Getty Images North America

In the first four games of the season, the Cardinals were given the task of slowing down two of the NFL's premier running backs. On Thursday night, they will have to stop another one of the league's top running backs in Carlos Hyde and the number 10 rushing offense in the league.

Hyde has rushed for nearly 300 yards on 73 attempts with five touchdowns. In Hyde’s first two games against NFC West opponents, he has rushed for 191 yards, averaging 22 carries. 49er quarterback Blain Gabbert has also had success in Chip Kelly's offense, rushing for 102 yards on 29 attempts.

The Arizona defense surrendered 208 rushing yards to the Buffalo Bills, 106 yards to the New England Patriots, but limited the Los Angeles Rams to just 41 rushing yards. If the Cardinals defense continues to swarm to the ball carrier in the backfield just like they did last week, it will be a long night for Chip Kelly and the 49er offense.

Cardinals must avoid another slow start in the first quarter

Larry Fitzgerald and the Arizona offense must have a big game against the 49ers (Source: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images North America)
Larry Fitzgerald and the Arizona offense must have a big game against the 49ers | Source: Ezra Shaw - Getty Images North America

The Cardinals are the only team in the NFL that has not score a point in the first quarter. In each of the four games of the season, slow starts have become a recurrence in the first quarter. If Arizona wants to save their season, this has to change.

Going up against the worst rushing defense in the league, Arizona should let David Johnson loose early. When given the opportunity, Johnson has made plays for the Cardinals run game. Johnson has 21 broken tackles this season, making defenders miss with his fancy footwork and big stiff arms.

John Brown will look to build on the big game he had last weekend. If he continues to build on the success he had, he opens up the possibilities for big plays down the field while other guys like Larry Fitzgerald, Jaron Brown, and J.J. Nelson will need to get open against one-on-one matchups. Michael Floyd must avoid dropping key passes early in the game. With Stanton being named the starting quarterback, he will need every receiver to make as many plays as possible to put the Cardinals in a winning position.

Predictions

With all the talent that this Cardinals team processes, they should get the win against the 49ers. The Arizona running game will overpower the 49er defense missing some key pieces. Arizona’s defense will find a way to slow down Carlos Hyde and the San Francisco run game. A big win here could put the Cardinals on the right track and save their season.

What: San Francisco 49ers - Arizona Cardinals

When: Thursday, Oct. 6, 8:25 pm ET/5:25 pm PT

Where: Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, CA

TV: CBS and on NFL Network

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