Cardinals v. 49ers – 5 Questions With Golden Gate Sports
By Tony Burgess
Dec 29, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
4. The Cardinals have the 3rd ranked rush defense in the league. What are the expectations for Frank Gore this week?
Marc Grandi: The success of the running game hinges on whether Davis starts. If Davis returns from injury, Gore will have plenty more room to run and the 49ers will be able to rely on the running game to carry the offense. If Martin starts in place of Davis again, however, the 49ers may have to become a throw-first offense. We all know how that went last week.
Sean Bialaszek: Even against one of the top run defenses in the league, the 49ers’ offense will still need to run through Frank Gore. With Kaepernick struggling so mightily against the Bears, the run and the read option will have to be big parts of the offense. Gore played well against Chicago, averaging nearly five yards a carry, but was held to only thirteen carries. Gore should get the ball at least twenty times this week, and he will need help from his offensive line to hurt the Cardinals’ defense.
Brendan Kennealy: While the Cardinals’ defense is becoming one of the more formidable defenses in the NFL and are ranked 3rd this year in rush defense, let’s look at the running backs they have faced thus far. Ryan Matthews, Donald Brown, and Danny Woodhead in week one. Rashad Jennings, Andre Williams, and Peyton Hillis in week two. None of those guys have the skill set and tenacity that Gore has. We should still expect “The Inconvenient Truth” to have a good game and finish with 75 yards and a rushing touchdown.