So much for that narrative of a jet-lagged team playing a potential trap game as the San Francisco 49ers dominated the Miami Dolphins 35-13.
Brock Purdy was nearly flawless, throwing more touchdowns than incompletions and earning the NFC Offensive Player of the Week award. Christian McCaffrey scored twice, and George Kittle came alive in the second half, accounting for 80 yards and a touchdown.
The offense looked impressive, scoring touchdowns on their first five drives. Miami dominated time of possession in the first half, but the defense stiffened up in the red zone, allowing only field goals until late, and tallied four sacks.
Up next, a division tilt with the Arizona Cardinals. After handling the Los Angeles Chargers in the opener, Arizona were crushed by Seattle last week. While there are a few recognizable names on defense, the offense is what's intriguing.
Trey McBride is a top-tier tight end, rookie back Jeremiyah Love has game-breaker potential—though he has struggled so far (70 rush yards)—and WR Marvin Harrison Jr. is supremely talented yet has been limited to just one reception so far. Led by veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett and former Shanahan apprentice Mike LaFleur as coach, the division matchups are always challenging, mainly because of the familiarity.
San Francisco faces another test on Sunday. Here are five players to watch in the NFC West showdown.
WR Jacob Cowing
Demarcus Robinson's ankle injury last week put the receiver room in even more dire straits. The 49ers signed veteran Brandin Cooks to the practice squad, and presuming he doesn't play, WR3 will be a rotational combo of KhaDarel Hodge, Jordan Watkins, and Jacob Cowing.
Hodge caught a pass last week, and Watkins hasn't been up on game day yet, so Cowing has the best shot to contribute. Anything that nets a positive return to set up field position would be a start for Cowing this week. A reception would be found money.
CB Upton Stout
If there was one noticeable defensive mistake against Miami, it was the 77-yard touchdown in garbage time that Upton Stout allowed, with no safety help over the top. That aside, Stout has been active in the secondary for the first two games, accumulating for seven total tackles, half a sack, and a pass defensed.
Michael Wilson and Kendrick Bourne (17 combined catches) are Arizona's primary slot receivers, and whoever Stout is one-on-one with more, pass breakups and limiting yards after catch will factor into how Arizona moves the ball. Creating or being the recipient of a turnover would be gravy.
DT Gracen Halton
If you thought the receiver room was dire, the defensive line is just as catastrophic with three ends and interiors down, which doesn't include Nick Bosa's calf injury, which will sideline him for a few weeks.
After struggling against the run in Australia against the Rams, Gracen Halton's impact was much more distinct against Miami, where he recorded five tackles, including one for loss.
Jacoby Brissett isn't the most agile quarterback, so any pressure that leads to sacks, combined with his quick first step and relentless motor, is in line for Halton this week. To improve the run defense between the tackles next to Osa Odighizuwa, stopping Jeremiyah Love or Tyler Allgeier on a third- or fourth-and-short could be a game situation in play this week.
DE Keion White
With Nick Bosa's injury official, the next options at right D-end are a combination of Ogbo Okoronkwo and Khalid Kareem. Those two aren't expected to produce much, which makes White the 49ers' most credible and healthiest pass rusher right now.
White has been steady, recording a fumble recovery and sack in two games. According to PFF, White posted a pass-rush grade of 74.6 on 32 defensive snaps, the highest on the team. White has the burst and physicality to create pressures and sacks, given his 6'5", 290-pound frame. Any havoc wreaked by White will be impactful.
WR Mike Evans
Slated as questionable with an iffy hip injury, Evans should be good to go unless something goes wonky in pregame warmups. Evans should have a solid game simply on matchups this week. Arizona's most physical corner, Will Johnson, just went on season-ending IR with a neck injury, leaving Garrett Williams and Denzel Burke, both sub-6-foot in height, as starters.
Brock Purdy's accuracy has been excellent in two games, and given his size and strength measurables, Evans should have an advantage.
Jaxson Smith-Njigba went off for 155 yards and three scores with a backup quarterback last week. That production shouldn't be expected, but Evans should get plenty of volume and a red-zone target or two against the Cardinals this week.
More info on: Nick Bosa, Brandin Cooks, Jacob Cowing, Mike Evans, Gracen Halton, Khalid Kareem, George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey, Osa Odighizuwa, Ogbo Okoronkwo, Brock Purdy, Demarcus Robinson, Upton Stout, Jordan Watkins, Keion White
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