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Week 17 Preview: Cardinals at 49ers

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Arizona Cardinals (11-4) at San Francisco 49ers (7-8)

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, at Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, Calif. – TV: FOX

*TV announcers: Thom Brennaman, David Diehl, Laura Okmin

*Keys to the game: Nothing like throwing a raw rookie into potentially vital regular-season finale. After saying QB Ryan Lindley “missed some throws” against Seattle last week in the understatement of the year, Cardinals coach Bruce Arians is handing the reigns to Logan Thomas, who will become the fourth quarterback to start for the team this season.

Arians admitted he’ll have a quick hook if Thomas struggles, especially if he sees the Rams giving the Seahawks trouble in Seattle and opening the door for Arizona to potentially snatch the NFC west.

The 49ers are reeling on and off the field, but they’re still a heavy favorite due to the Cardinals’ quarterback situation along with Arizona being down to Stepfan Taylor and rookie Kerwynn Williams in the backfield.

Forced to be on the field far too long, Arizona’s defense can be worn down and San Francisco set a franchise record with 355 rushing yards last week with QB Colin Kaepernick utilizing his legs more. If the 49ers don’t force Kaepernick into a pocket QB role, San Francisco should control the field position and steadily wear Arizona into submission.

*Matchup to watch – Cardinals RT Bobbie Massie vs. 49ers DE Tony Jerod-Eddie: Jerod-Eddie and Tank Carradine are splitting the role vacated by the released Ray McDonald. Massie, who has been vastly improved this season, will also face impressive rookie OLB Aaron Lynch in pass protection.

*Player spotlight – Thomas: The fourth-round pick has completed one of his nine pass attempts this season, and it was a forced throw into double coverage that somehow resulted in an 81-yard touchdown. He otherwise looked ill equipped to handle the speed of the NFL game at this stage.

*Fast facts: With a win, Arizona would set a franchise record for victories in a regular season. … Kaepernick had 12 carries for 54 yards in the first meeting, a 23-14 Cardinals victory at home in Week 3, while RB Frank Gore had just six for 10 yards.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

The resilient Cardinals have finally found their breaking point with a fourth-string QB and backup running backs. Despite all of the controversy swirling the 49ers, they almost can’t help but close with a victory against an Arizona team that simply can’t move the ball.

*Our pick: 49ers 24-9

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Buccaneers admit mistake, boot Aguayo

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In the NFL, it’s always better to admit a mistake than to compound it. For the Buccaneers, the decision to burn a 2016 second-round pick on kicker Robert Aguayo has proven to be a mistake. The Buccaneers made the definitive admission of their error on Saturday, cutting Aguayo. He exits with $428,000 in fully-guaranteed salary [more]

Source: Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk

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Did Bucs put too much pressure on Aguayo?

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After the Buccaneers surprised everyone by taking a kicker with the 59th overall pick in the draft, G.M. Jason Licht explained the move by heaping superlatives on the player. “I was very excited along with my staff and coaches about Roberto for a very long time,” Licht told PFT Live in May 2016. “It’s not [more]

Source: Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk

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Broncos holding their breath on Derek Wolfe

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Only two days after losing Billy Winn for the year with a torn ACL, the Broncos are now sweating out another potentially serious injury along the defensive line. Via multiple reports, Broncos defensive lineman Derek Wolfe was carted off the field during practice on Saturday. It’s being described as a right ankle injury by coach [more]

Source: Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk

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