The Arizona Cardinals have taught themselves that losing heading into the fourth quarter isn’t a reason to stress, especially after two come-from-behind wins this season. Arizona is the first team since the 1982 Green Bay Packers to start 2-0 after trailing when entering the fourth quarter in each game and not allowing a point in the final quarter. That’ll be harder to do against the 49ers, especially if Drew Stanton plays but another week with him at the helm and Arizona could be pushing a third-straight win. Stanton is 3-0 dating back to 2010 and in those three games has completed 53.4 percent of his passes and averaged 178.7 yards per games. But Arizona is used to coming back this season. Among 2-0 teams, Arizona has the second fewest snaps with the lead this season: 45.
In the fourth quarter, Carson Palmer is a career 60.4 percent passer, throwing 61 touchdowns compared to 49 interceptions. Stanton has completed 51 percent of his passes in the fourth quarter while throwing two touchdowns and four interceptions.
My prediction: Cardinals 21, 49ers 18