We’re just hours away from the highly anticipated matchup between the Arizona Cardinals and the San Francisco 49ers, and I can already feel the tension building. Both teams are looking fierce, despite being banged up with injuries, and neither side is making excuses. As we head into this NFC West showdown, there are a few key players who need to step up if the Cardinals want to come out on top.
First off, let’s talk about Darius Robinson. The former first-round pick has had a slow start to the 2025 season, with PFF’s metrics ranking him as one of the worst defensive linemen in the league. But we’ve seen glimpses of his dominance in the past, and now it’s time for him to bring the heat. With a banged-up secondary, Robinson’s presence in the trenches is crucial if the Cardinals want to emerge from San Francisco with a win.
Another player who needs to bring their A-game is Isaiah Adams. The guard has struggled in the first two games, ranking 81st out of 85 in PFF’s run-blocking grades. His pass protection hasn’t been much better, and the Cardinals need him to step up in a big way, especially with the loss of Klayton Adams. If Adams can’t get it together, he might find himself on the bench, with Will Hernandez waiting in the wings to take his job.
Josh Sweat is another player who’s had a great start to the season, racking up pressure and notching his first sack with the Cardinals last week. He’ll be going up against All-Pro Trent Williams, but the rest of the 49ers’ offensive line is suspect. If Sweat can dial up the pressure and keep backup quarterback Mac Jones unsettled, the Cardinals might just have a chance to control the game.
Marvin Harrison Jr. is also a key player who needs to step up. After a solid Week 1, he was surprisingly quiet in Week 2, with only five targets and two receptions. The Cardinals need to get him involved if they want to find offensive success, and it’s on both Harrison Jr. and play-caller Drew Petzing to make it happen. If Harrison Jr. can get going, it could be a whole different ball game for the Cardinals.
Finally, let’s not forget about Zaven Collins. The 49ers still have plenty of offensive talent, despite their injuries, and the Cardinals will need multiple players to step up to contain them. Collins is one of the few defensive players who’s shown some life in the first few games, and he needs to be the guy who can get to the quarterback and make some big plays. If he can do that, the Cardinals might just have a chance to take down the 49ers and come out on top.
It’s going to be a tough game, but if these players can step up and bring their best, the Cardinals might just have what it takes to take down the 49ers. Let’s see what happens – it’s almost game time!
