“Can Ambry Thomas Lead the 49ers to Victory? Get Ready for an Epic Showdown!”
Five 49ers to look at in Sunday’s NFC West matchup vs. CardinalsMatt MaioccoFri, Dec 15, 2023, 7:23 PM GMT+1·6 min readThe 49ers realize their circulate to the No. 1 spot withinside the NFC is a week-to-week thing.
With 4 video games closing withinside the normal season, the 49ers manipulate their very own destiny. If they win 4 in a row, they may earn a first-spherical bye withinside the playoffs and domestic-discipline advantage.The 49ers moved into the pinnacle spot with their Week 14 win over the Seattle Seahawks coupled with the Philadelphia Eagles’ loss to the Dallas Cowboys.“Right now it doesn’t suggest much,” 49ers educate Kyle Shanahan stated of the NFC standings. “It simply approach wherein you’re at now.“I realize we received’t be (No. 1) if we don’t deal with commercial enterprise this week. So that’s honestly all we’re concerned approximately this week after which we’ll circulate to who we play after that.”The 49ers (10-3) face the Arizona Cardinals (3-10) on Sunday in Glendale, Arizona.Even with a few key protective gamers anticipated to be out of movement because of injuries, the 49ers have greater than sufficient supermegacelebrity electricity to take down the Cardinals.And they should, so long as those 5 49ers to look at do their element withinside the Week 15 sport towards the Cardinals:5, CB Ambry ThomasAfter tumbling down the intensity chart in his 2nd NFL season, cornerback Ambry Thomas is making up for a misplaced 12 months as a key member of the 49ers’ secondary.Thomas is in line to begin if Charvarius Ward (groin) does now no longer in shape up for Sunday’s sport towards the Cardinals.ADVERTISEMENTAdvertisementRegardless, Thomas will play a large position withinside the 49ers protection, as he’s achieved for maximum of this season.Thomas has furnished the 49ers with strong play after he disappeared final season. After finishing his rookie season because the starter, Thomas did not construct on that momentum.He instructed NBC Sports Bay Area for the duration of schooling camp that he did not put together himself mentally or bodily for Year 2 withinside the NFL.“You in no way realize while that mild bulb goes to head on for a player,” 49ers standard supervisor John Lynch stated Friday on KNBR.“He’s had the talent, however it’s simply the consistency. It’s all come together. He’s developed. He’s grow to be a pro. . . . He’s grown up.”4, TE George KittleOne of the pinnacle matchups each time the 49ers face the Cardinals takes vicinity while tight quit George Kittle traces up towards Cardinals protection Budda Baker.ADVERTISEMENTAdvertisementWhether Kittle goes after Baker as a run-blocker or whether or not Baker is assigned to cowl Kittle on byskip plays, it’s a head-to-head assembly that pits of the higher gamers of their positions towards every other.Kittle is final in at the 1,000-backyard mark with fifty three receptions for 811 yards and 6 touchdowns at the season.But he additionally has brilliant really well worth as a run-blocker for Christian McCaffrey, who leads the NFL with 1,177 yards at the season. McCaffrey averages 5.2 yards consistent with speeding strive and has scored 12 touchdowns at the floor this season.3, LB Fred WarnerLinebacker Fred Warner won’t be taken into consideration on the pinnacle of the listing for NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidates, however he is probably having the pleasant season of his profession.ADVERTISEMENTAdvertisementAs always — however possibly this week greater than others — Warner will play a massive position in ensuring the 49ers do now no longer revel in a slip-up with their attractions set at the No. 1 seed withinside the NFC.Warner leads the 49ers with 4 interceptions this season, tying the membership document for a non-protective returned. He has already prolonged his streak of consecutive seasons with a hundred or greater tackles to six.Warner may be examined at some point of Sunday’s sport in all areas. Running returned James Conner is the Cardinals’ main floor gainer with a 4.nine-backyard common and 4 touchdowns.Quarterback Kyler Murray is returned withinside the lineup after lacking the primary 9 video games even as coming back from a torn ACL that ended his 2022 season. Warner may be challenged to hold Murray from tearing off large chunks of yards together along with his scrambling ability.2, DT Javon KinlawThe 49ers do now no longer discern to have both in their beginning protective tackles to be had to play towards the Cardinals.ADVERTISEMENTAdvertisementThis is a large sport for protective address Javon Kinlaw, as he seems to place suitable play on movie for the relaxation of the league to see. Kinlaw is scheduled to grow to be an unrestricted unfastened agent withinside the offseason after the 49ers declined to choose up his fifth-12 months option.Arik Armstead isn’t anticipated to play because of a foot and knee issues, even as Lynch stated it is probably “a reach” for Javon Hargrave to hurry returned and play this week after maintaining a hamstring stress final week towards the Seattle Seahawks.Kinlaw has remained wholesome this season, which has enabled him to exercise and enhance his sport in the back of the scenes. In video games, he has achieved a miles higher process of gambling decrease and developing leverage to shield towards walking plays.The Cardinals discern to check Kinlaw early in Sunday’s sport, with Conner walking the ball on early downs among the tackles.1, QB Brock PurdySix years ago, quarterback Brock Purdy became venerated at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, because the Arizona Cardinals High School Player of the Year for his on-discipline accomplishments at Perry High in suburban Gilbert, Arizona.ADVERTISEMENTAdvertisementOn Sunday, Purdy will go back to Arizona to play in his first sport in his domestic country as a professional.He performed one preceding post-prep sport in his domestic country after his very last sport of a high-faculty profession that noticed him throw for 8,937 yards and 107 touchdowns as a varsity player. In January 2021, he led Iowa State to a 34-17 victory over Oregon withinside the Fiesta Bowl.Purdy will appearance to increase his MVP candidacy towards a Cardinals protection that has allowed the competition to finish 69.nine percentage of its byskip tries for a mean of 233.nine yards consistent with sport this season.Since the bye week, Purdy and the 49ers had been on a roll. The 49ers have received 5 consecutive video games, and Purdy has positioned up massive numbers. He leads the
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