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Watch 49ers @ Cardinals live on Sky Sports Action and Main Event from 11.30pm on Thursday night; kick-off is at 0.20am on Friday
By Field Level Media
Last Updated: 30/10/19 6:19pm
The San Francisco 49ers will come dressed as the most surprising team in the NFL when they visit the Arizona Cardinals on Halloween night on Thursday.
But make no mistake: The 49ers are convinced their NFC-best 7-0 record is no disguise.
“It doesn’t really matter what the outside world thinks,” cornerback Richard Sherman told reporters after Tevin Coleman scored four touchdowns to help the 49ers rout the Carolina Panthers 51-13 in San Francisco last Sunday.
“We know what we have in this building. We knew the talent we have. We just have to execute and focus on us and let the chips fall where they may.”
Criticised by some for a relatively soft early-season schedule, the 49ers have scored at least 31 points in four games and have given up a touchdown or less in each of the last four, including a shutout in rainy Washington two Sundays ago.
The Cardinals (3-4-1) had a three-game winning streak broken in a 31-9 loss at New Orleans on Sunday, when they also lost running back Chase Edmonds to a hamstring strain.
Already playing without top running back David Johnson (ankle, back), the Cardinals added a potential starter in Kenyan Drake, acquired Monday from Miami for a conditional sixth-round 2020 draft choice.
“With guys going down, you just have to find a way to get it done,” said Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray, who has passed for 1,988 yards and seven touchdowns against four interceptions.
“That’s where we are right now. First prime time game for us. Try to put on a show and protect home. It should be fun.”
San Francisco are off to their best start since 1990, when they won their first 10 and finished 14-2. The 49ers have given up the fewest yards per game (224.4) in the league and only 77 points, second-fewest to New England (61). They are also tied for second in the league with 10 interceptions, behind only the Patriots’ 19.
Coleman, who finished with 105 yards rushing and 13 receiving against the Panthers, was the third 49er to score at least four touchdowns in a regular-season game, joining wide receiver Jerry Rice and quarterback/running back Billy Kilmer.
The Cardinals will provide an inviting target. Although their offense has improved behind Murray, they give up 401.7 total yards and 130.1 rushing yards per game, both among the bottom 10 in the NFL.
Defensive end Nick Bosa, who followed Murray as the second player taken in the 2019 draft, has seven of the 49ers’ 27 sacks. Bosa had three of the Niners’ seven sacks and an interception against Carolina.
“He’s a freak. He’s a good player, for sure,” Murray said. “Have to keep my head on a swivel, that’s for sure.”
Watch 49ers @ Cardinals live on Sky Sports Action and Main Event from 11.30pm on Thursday night; kick-off is at 12.20am on Friday.