December 25, 2024

San Francisco 49ers

Niners #Niners

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GAME ESSENTIALS: 49ers (5-4) vs. Cardinals (4-6) at Estadio Azteca, at 5:15 p.m. (PT). TV: ESPN, KGO (Ch. 7). Announcers: Joe Buck (play-by-play), Troy Aikman (color commentary), Lisa Salters (sideline reporting).

ODDS: 49ers -10. OVER/UNDER: 43.5.

SERIES: Chargers lead 8-6. LAST MEETING: Cardinals won 31-17 on Nov. 7, 2021.

The 49ers are playing a road game this week in what will likely be another friendly climate, Mexico City, where they’ll face the Arizona Cardinals on Monday Night Football.

The Niners are among the most popular teams in Mexico, along with the Patriots, Steelers, Raiders and Cowboys, according to various studies. While Phoenix is closer to Mexico than San Francisco, playoff and primetime TV exposure, as well as cultural cache — likely keys in developing fanbases abroad — have eluded the Cardinals.

The 49er Faithful has shown up in Los Angeles and Dallas in recent years, and now it’s expected at Estadio Azteca.

The 49ers have an opportunity to move into a tie for the NFC West lead with a win Monday night, as the Seahawks are on bye.

In their way will be Colt McCoy, reportedly relieving Arizona starting quarterback Kyler Murray, who’s set to miss another game with a hamstring injury.

Despite being a backup, McCoy should raise some alarms for the 49ers. He led the Cardinals to a road win over the Rams last week and did the same at Levi’s Stadium last November.

Defensive tackle Arik Armstead, who’s been out more than two months with foot and ankle injuries, won’t be making his return Monday for the 49ers. Defensive end Samson Ebukam is listed as questionable.

Arizona will be without tight end Zach Ertz, who injured his knee last week and will miss the season, as well as offensive tackle D.J. Humphries (back) and cornerback Byron Murphy (back). Murray is listed as questionable but reportedly will miss the game. Star receiver DeAndre Hopkins is also questionable with a hamstring injury, as is guard Max Garcia.

Follow along with our reporters Cam Inman and Jerry McDonald, columnist Dieter Kurtenbach and other analysts providing their thoughts about the game.

Author

Mike is an assistant sports editor.

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