GLENDALE – The Arizona Cardinals offensive line to start the season have been lackluster. One of the strong suits of last year’s team has struggled to build a rhythm in 2025. Holding penalties, sloppy protection, failing to create holes and other intangibles has put much of the eyes on the unit, especially ahead of Week 3 against a talented San Francisco 49ers front seven.
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September 21, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner (54) and defensive end Nick Bosa (97) rush New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Cardinals have to worry about 49ers dangerous front seven:
Defensive coordinator Robert Salah returned to the 49ers and has made the defense even more dangerous than before. Salah has used his talented front seven, including players like Nick Bosa and Fred Warner, to manipulate the QB by showing pressure but then dropping back into coverage.
Despite not blitzing, San Francisco can still rush four and get a sack or tackle for loss. Through the first two weeks, the 49ers have 14 TFLs, putting them t-3rd in the NFL in the category. Bosa is t-2nd in the league in TFLs, showcasing why he is a five-time Pro Bowler.
Cardinals center Hjalte Froholdt leads the offensive line on a snap during Cardinals training camp at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, on July 31, 2025. © Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Arizona will need to be smart in its protection. Quarterback Kyler Murray’s elusiveness will definitely help in that department. In the teams’ last two matchup, San Francisco only recorded one sack. Despite that impressive stat, the Week 18 game between the two clubs didn’t feature key defensive players for the 49ers.
The offensive line, lead by former sixth overall pick Paris Johnson Jr. and Hjalte Froholdt, will have to play clean and smart against San Francisco. It has the personnel to abuse mismatches by using misdirection. Week 3 could be the game that turns around the offensive line’s struggles and puts them back on track to last season’s standards.
How will the Cardinals secondary survive massive losses due to injuries in Week 3?
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
