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It was a blowout from the start, and the Cardinals were absolutely dominant in both sides of the ball for four quarters.
JARRYD HAYNE’S STATS VERSUS THE CARDINALS
Picking off two Kaepernick pass attempts and returning them for touchdowns, the Cardinals went into the first quarter up 14-0 and having picked off three San Francisco pass attempts.
The 49ers scored on a Kaepernick run in the second quarter, set up by a great Jarryd Hayne punt return of 37 yards, but the Cardinals added two rushing touchdowns courtesy of Chris Johnson and a field goal to close out the first half up 31-7.
It was more of the same in the second half, as the defence notched a safety and Larry Fitzgerald caught two touchdown passes as Arizona steamrolled their visitors and goes up 3-0 in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1923-1924.
VIDEO: Jarryd Hayne arrives in NFL with brilliant punt return for @49ers v Arizona Cardinals http://t.co/TAgjOiXonx pic.twitter.com/Y3Sx5IWlld
— telegraph_sport (@telegraph_sport) September 27, 2015
Carson Palmer finished with 20 of 32 for 311 yards, two touchdown and an interception, while Larry Fitzgerald was catching everything thrown his way, finished with nine catches for 134 yards and two touchdowns.
Chris Johnson played well too – CJ2K finished with 22 carries for 110 yards and two scores.
For the 49ers, the numbers were much more dismal. Kaepernick was 9 of 19 for 67 yards and four interceptions, an awful performance and one which will really start creating questions around the future of this franchise at the most important position on the field.
Hayne finished with the single punt return for 37 yards.
Final Score:
Arizona 47
San Francisco 7
The Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers square off in an NFC West divisional round match-up that features Jarryd Hayne playing in his third NFL game. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 6:05am (AEST).
The San Francisco 49ers are looking to rebound after their blowout loss at the hands of the Steelers last week. Kaepernick played well, going 33 of 46 for 335 yards and two touchdowns, but Carlos Hyde’s sluggish and inefficient performance on the ground meant that the 49ers lost 43-18.
Jarryd Hayne had even less of an impact than the man he’s playing behind. The Hayne Plane finished with two carries for three yards, while he returned a punt for seven yards.
Hyde has been impressive so far through two games, notching 211 yards and two touchdowns for a very nice 5.4 yard average per run. However, if Hyde struggles against the Cardinals like he did against the Steelers, expect Hayne to get more opportunities.
The injuries on the team may also bode well for Hayne’s chances too. Running back Reggie Bush is doubtful to play with a calf injury, and he didn’t participate in practice; the aforementioned Hyde is probable, but still has the lingering effects of a hamstring injury.
Tight end Vance McDonald (knee) and wide receiver Bruce Ellington (ankle) are both questionable. NaVorro Bowman (not injury related), guard Alex Boone (shoulder), tight end Blake Bell (back) and wide receiver Torrey Smith (knee) are all probable to play.
The Arizona Cardinals have had a hot start to the season, going 2-0 and will be looking to continue their winning streak against a struggling 49ers team. Admittedly, they have only played the Bears and the Saints, both of whom are yet to win a game, but the Cards looked impressive in both of their wins regardless.
Carson Palmer is showing how good a QB he can be when he’s healthy, throwing for 492 yards, seven touchdowns and a lone interception through two games. That’s on top of completing 64 per cent of his passes and averaging 8.8 yards per throw.
Chris Johnson is currently the number one back in the desert, but that could all be about to change. Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said that “each week it will increase a bit” – it referring to David Johnson’s carries. The rookie has looked great so far, averaging 8.4 yards per run and putting up a touchdown, much better statistics than Chris Johnson’s measly 3.6 YPC.
The Cardinals have got it clicking in the receiving game too, with Larry Fitzgerald being his usual self and putting up great numbers. The veteran wide receiver has 14 catches for 199 yards and three touchdowns, while John Brown and Darren Fells have also contributed too.
With a healthy defence, the Cardinals could be a real threat this year. Despite their strong start to the season, Arians isn’t taking anything for granted, with the coach telling the team “You ain’t (bleep)” in a team meeting earlier in the week according to Palmer. It’s good to see the reigning Coach of the Year is keeping his players hungry and determined.
For Arizona, wide receiver J.J. Nelson (shoulder) is out, running back Andre Ellington (knee) is doubtful and guard Mike Iupati (knee) is questionable. Linebackers Alex Okafor (shoulder) and LaMarr Woodley (shoulder) and safeties Tony Jefferson (hamstring) and Deone Buccanan (groin) are all probable to play.
If Carlos Hyde can find the form he had in the first game of the season, San Francisco will put up a good fight, but this Cardinals team is too talented on both sides of the ball to lose now.
Expect Arizona to get the comfortable win, with the 49ers giving up huge yards in the air as Carson Palmer throws for three touchdowns and Larry Fitzgerald catches two of them. Jarryd Hayne will have ten carries and a few punt returns, as well as a catch that goes for a big gain.
Will Jarryd Hayne play the true backup role in this game, or will he once again be demoted to a third-stringer?
Join The Roar from 06:05am (AEST) for score updates and debate in our live blog.
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