GLENDALE – The San Francisco 49ers will likely have QB Mac Jones replace an injured Brock Purdy for this week’s game against the Arizona Cardinals. Jones has only one career game against Arizona in 2022, where in a win Jones threw for 235 on 68.6% completion percentage and one interception.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Cardinals fans would remember this game because it was where QB Kyler Murray suffered a torn ACL and be out for nearly nine months. Murray and Arizona gets their first real opportunity at revenge in the form of playing the starting QB from that game in Jones.
Sep 14, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones (10) passes against the New Orleans Saints during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
How Cardinals gameplan against Jones:
Jones returned to his Pro Bowl status in his first start with San Francisco, throwing for 279 passing yards and three touchdowns. The 27-year-old heavily targeted WR Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall and All-Pro RB Christian McCaffrey. The trio combined for 59% of Jones’ targets vs. the New Orleans Saints.
The 49ers had a similar game as the Cardinals did against the Saints. Each team boasted a double-digit lead, before almost losing it via a Spencer Rattler final drive miracle. If we’re judging how the teams battled similar competition, they seem to be evenly match.
Sep 14, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones (10) passes against the New Orleans Saints during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
However, the Cardinals gameplan will be much different than Saints, as they will try to pressure Jones. Arizona started Week 2 against the Carolina Panthers by bringing it to young QB Bryce Young and forced a strip sack and touchdown. The defense had a 18.6% pressure rate, with seven blitzes, six QB hits and two QB hurries.
Compared to Jones vs. New Orleans, he didn’t face nearly as much pressure from the defensive line. The Saints had a 16.3% pressure rate and had one QB hurry and three QB hits. Jones did get sacked three times, which was the same for Murray when he faced New Orleans, but outside of those big plays couldn’t make it uncomfortable in the pocket.
Sep 14, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones (10) passes against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Cardinals defensive coordinator Nick Rallis will have to bring the pressure against Jones to make him uncomfortable. Jones has gotten some of his confidence back after being delegated as a backup in the NFL. Killing that confidence would be having Pro Bowlers like Josh Sweat and Calais Campbell bringing him down for the sack.
Arizona’s secondary is in shambles due to injuries, so the front seven needs to dial up that pressure to take the pressure of the cornerbacks and onto Jones.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
