For as well as Brock Purdy has played for the 49ers this season, the Cardinals know they need to start with how they will defend running back Christian McCaffrey. He's a menace to the rest of the league and certainly the Cardinals.
One of the few times over the past three seasons the Cardinals came out ahead was when linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. blew McCaffrey up in a 6-6 game late in the third quarter in San Francisco last season, a fourth-and-goal play that was crucial at the time.
"I know he remembers it," Wilson said. "[Everybody remembers it](https://www.azcardinals.com/video/highlight-mack-wilson-sr-breaks-up-pass-in-the-red-zone). I feel I'm ready for the task. There will be a little fire this game."
McCaffrey is a star. Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur, who was a 49ers assistant when McCaffrey came into the NFL in 2017, said the 49ers considered taking McCaffrey at No. 2 overall in the draft (the Niners traded back to three to take QB Trey Lance; Carolina took CMC at No. 8.)
And it's another example of what the Cardinals hope Jeremiyah Love can become.
Not comparing Love to CMC. Not yet. But McCaffrey is one of those running backs that changes how a defense has to play, a guy who can crush both running the ball and catching. (Given this week, it was hard not to notice the Falcons' Bijan Robinson on a national stage Thursday night dominating too.)
"I want to go crazy every single game," Love said. "Last week I didn't. It's kind of hard. I come from a place where I'm going crazy every week. It's kind of humbling a little bit. I'm getting used to the situation I am in.
"It's been a challenge and I'm up for the challenge."
In two games, Love has 70 yards rushing and 25 total touches. He has played 43 percent of the offensive snaps.
Love would love to be his own version of McCaffrey. The two met when Love was at Notre Dame, and Love gushed about the encounter. "He was one of the best human beings I've come in contact with," Love said.
"I hope to make that same impact with my team," he added. "I want to go out there and do the same things he does.
"I want to be similar to Christian McCaffrey but also have my own touch to it."
\-- Pass rusher Nick Bosa, the player that _might've_ been a Cardinal in 2019 if the team had decided Josh Rosen was enough quarterback, is really good when he is on the field. He is rarely on the field though and once again he will miss a Cardinals game. He hurt his calf in practice this week and will be out for an extended period. Bosa was coming off a torn ACL that he suffered last season, Week 3 in a home game against the Cardinals. Here we are again.
\-- The Cardinals need more from their pass rush, and hope that Josh Sweat can break out sooner rather than later. Sweat is still looking for his first sack of the season. It might be hard to do against the Niners, who have yet to surrender a sack this season with Purdy playing arguably the best football of his career.
\-- They can't forget about McCaffrey, though. CMC did not play against the Cardinals in 2024 because of injuries. But in the four games against the Cardinals since Nick Rallis became defensive coordinator, McCaffrey has averaged 89 yards rushing, 68 yards receiving (on 27 total receptions) with 10 total touchdowns.
\-- Trey McBride and George Kittle are the two best tight ends in the NFL (Brock Bowers needs to be healthy before he can climb back in the argument.) I am guessing both fanbases will give the No. 1 nod to their own guy, but there is one outside analyst who comes down for McBride.
"In my eyes, he's the best tight end in football right now," future Hall of Fame tight end [Rob Gronkowski recently said](https://youtu.be/VW8ftNRCQb4?si=sbTQQqqi6XfdsSzJ&t=195). "Most consistent, puts up touchdowns and yards every week."
McBride has 17 catches for 136 yards and two touchdowns in two games. Kittle is at 6-92-1 for the 2-0 Niners. The duo are the two highest-paid tight ends (Kittle's new deal in 2025 slightly surpassed McBride's deal that was signed only a couple weeks prior.) The two are also friends, spending time at Tight End U and showing appreciation to each other every time they play.
How the two produce Sunday will impact the result.