Kyle Shanahan and Steve Wilks evaluate rookie Josh Rosen as 49ers and Cardinals prepare for Sunday

If there's one advantage for Arizona Cardinals rookie quarterback Josh Rosen heading into Sunday's matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, it's that he is preparing to face a familiar defensive scheme. He was 15-of-27 for 180 yards and a touchdown this past Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks in his first NFL start. The Cardinals lost 20-17 but will get a shot at Robert Saleh's defense, which is based on Seattle's, this weekend.

The 49ers defense ranks No. 20 in yards allowed, No. 22 in passing yards allowed, and No. 27 in points allowed. By comparison, the Seahawks defense ranks No. 7 in yards allowed, No. 5 in passing yards allowed, and No. 10 in points allowed.

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has already had a few days to look at Rosen and the Cardinals. What did he think of Rosen's debut as a starter?

"It was impressive," Shanahan said. "Similar to college (at UCLA). He's a very good thrower. He made some very good throws in that game. They definitely, I believe, should have won that game. They had two big ones that were dropped, I think two touchdowns. It was impressive. So, as similar to college, we know we're going against a good player. He definitely helps them."

Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks spoke with Bay Area media via a conference call on Wednesday and discussed some of the positives he sees in his young quarterback.

"Number one, just his accuracy with the ball," Wilks said. "You can start with his leadership, nothing really seems to phase him, the guy is in complete control when he's out there, does a great job commanding the huddle, running the offense, and really getting the guys in the right position to be successful."

Does Wilks believe that Rosen benefits from facing a defense similar to Seattle's?

"It's always good when to start talking about a rookie quarterback, being able to see the same looks," Wilks said. "I think Robert (Saleh) does a good job. Being in that Pete Carroll family, I think he's a little bit more aggressive at times with some of the things that he's doing, which is good when you look at my background.

"Just to be able to see some of the same looks, I think, is going to be beneficial."

The 49ers and Cardinals kick off from Levi's Stadium on Sunday at 1:25 p.m. PT.