Niners Wire managing editor Kyle Madson takes Cardinals fans behind enemy lines in Week 3.

Next up for the Arizona Cardinals are the San Francisco 49ers. Both teams are 2-0 to start the season, although both teams have questions. The Niners have been devastated by injuries. Quarterback Brock Purdy, receiver Brandon Aiyuk and tight end George Kittle won’t play, and receiver Jauan Jennings probably won’t play.

The Niners are favored in this game, the first time this season the Cardinals are the underdogs.

What is there to know about the game?

Niners Wire managing editor Kyle Madson takes us “behind enemy lines” to cover some of the most important details — injuries, fantasy help, prop bets and predictions.

What is the latest injury update for QB Brock Purdy and WR Jauan Jennings? What can we expect from their replacements?

Both players are officially questionable, but there’s reason to believe neither will be in the starting lineup. Jennings didn’t practice at all during the week after suffering a shoulder injury in Week 1 and an ankle injury in Week 2. Purdy was limited all week, but head coach Kyle Shanahan indicated he’s highly unlikely to start. The club is leaving the door open on Purdy being QB2 or QB3 on Sunday, which is kind of strange, but it’s what Shanahan has insisted upon since Wednesday.

Jones is not a bad player. He doesn’t throw with quite the same anticipation as Purdy so the offense moves a little differently and some of the yards after catch opportunities built into the offense are limited. He’s also more susceptible to taking sacks in part because he’s less mobile than Purdy, but his lack of anticipation also causes him to hold the ball longer than Purdy does. The Saints got him for three sacks and in my view all three were a product of the QB holding the ball too long.

As for Jennings’ replacement, I’m not totally sure the 49ers have a capable one. Arizona State legend Ricky Pearsall is the team’s leading WR by a decent margin with 164 yards on eight catches. Jennings has contributed 105 receiving yards and seven catches. Their third-leading WR is Kendrick Bourne who signed before Week 2 and caught three balls for 32 yards. Marquez Valdes-Scantling is the only other receiver with a target this year and he didn’t catch the one ball thrown his way. It’s bleak at receiver for the 49ers, and if Jennings can’t play I’m assuming we’ll see a heavy dose of Bourne with running back Christian McCaffrey getting more involved as a pass catcher.

Other than Christian McCaffrey, what 49ers players should I start in fantasy?

Pearsall feels like a must-start just because the volume is going to be there for him, especially if Jennings is out. Bourne is probably worth an add in deeper leagues, but I’m not sure he’s worth a start unless a fantasy manager is super desperate. If Jennings is active, he should be in a starting fantasy lineup. Outside of that, there’s not a lot to write home about for the 49ers from a fantasy perspective. RB Brian Robinson hasn’t been particularly effective and there isn’t enough pass-catching upside among their group of tight ends to justify a fantasy start.

What are your best bets for this game?

I am in love with the Trey McBride two-touchdown prop. It’s +700 on BetMGM. The 49ers have some unproven options at safety and some question marks at the third linebacker spot. There are enough creative ways the Cardinals can manipulate personnel groupings that it’s easy to see McBride getting loose in favorable matchups.

Mac Jones over 0.5 interceptions is -115 and feels like a lock after his clean sheet in Week 2. I’m also going to hit the Christian McCaffrey under on 70.5 rushing yards at -115. The 49ers are really struggling to run the ball and I think the Cardinals can own the line of scrimmage to limit McCaffrey whose longest run of the year is only 13 yards. The lack of explosives in the run game makes it hard to see McCaffrey posting a huge day on the ground.

What are the matchups you are most looking forward to seeing?

I’m so fascinated by the rock fight happening on the perimeter with the 49ers’ banged-up receiving corps and the Cardinals’ banged-up secondary. The other thing I’m interested to see is what I mentioned earlier with the 49ers offensive line against Arizona’s defensive front. San Francisco has been good in pass protection through the first couple of games, but the Cardinals present a ton of problems with their pass rush. Whether the 49ers offensive line can win some of their one-on-one matchups there may decide the game.

Your Cardinals-49ers predictions

It’s really difficult to pick the 49ers to beat the Cardinals. Kyler Murray gives them fits and there are enough question marks on offense for the 49ers that they may not be able to keep up if Murray and James Conner start getting loose. I think these teams are pretty evenly matched, but there’s a glaring advantage under center for Arizona so I’m going to lean that way here. Cardinals 27, 49ers 23 

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