Cardinals' Three X-Factors vs. 49ers

The Arizona Cardinals have plenty to play for, and then some, against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 11.

At Estadio Azteca on Monday, the designated home-team Arizona Cardinals (4-6) will fight to keep their playoff hopes alive as they face the San Francisco 49ers (5-4), beginning at 8:15 PM ET.

The Cardinals will be playing their third straight divisional game in Week 11. They lost to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 9 before beating the Los Angeles Rams in a crucial game last weekend with backup quarterback Colt McCoy under center. Kyler Murray hopes to be available Monday after missing last weekend due to a sore hamstring.

Meanwhile, San Francisco is attempting for its third straight win. They've given up only 280.6 yards per game, which ranks best in the NFL.

Both teams are facing each other for the first time in 2022. Arizona swept the season-series last season and have won 12 of their last 15 games against San Francisco.

Here are three Cardinals players that can find themselves as x-factors heading into Week 11:

J.J. Watt

Watt's name and resume will always get recognition. But you can say his age-33 season in 2022 should be getting more attention. 

In nine games, Watt has 5.5 sacks, 18 total tackles, 13 quarterback hits and seven tackles for loss. He's played every game since missing Week 1 due to a calf injury. He even played in Week 4 after needing his heart shocked back into rhythm.

It seems that Watt is getting even hotter, and at the right time of the season. He has three sacks in his last three games and posted one sack, one fumble recovery and five quarterbacks hits in the team's Week 11 win. 

Watt faced a deteriorated Rams offensive line last week, and will hope to replicate the same success in Week 12.

It'll be key for Watt and company to stop San Francisco from finishing drives. For the season, the 49ers are scoring touchdowns on 54.8% of red zone drives, down from a league-leading 66.7% in 2021.

James Conner

After seeing the Cardinals surprisingly release Eno Benjamin on Monday, you can say that Conner will serve as their primary back for the remainder of the season. 

Injuries have hampered Conner, who's missed three games this season. But Week 10 showed that the 27-year-old can handle a similar workload from last season's Pro Bowl campaign, when he posted 18 total touchdowns. He received all except five of the Cardinals' 26 carries last weekend, rushing for 69 yards and two touchdowns.

Conner's eyes should light up when playing San Francisco. In his last meeting against the 49ers, he had arguably the best game of the 2021 season, posting 96 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns and five receptions for 77 yards and one receiving touchdown. 

There's a chance that San Francisco will be without Arik Armstead (foot and ankle) on their defensive line. It'll be up to Nick Bosa and defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans' to find ways of stopping Arizona's run-game. 

Marquise Brown

DeAndre Hopkins and Rondale Moore had 192 receiving yards Sunday. But could you imagine if 'Hollywood' Brown makes his return?

The Cardinals designated Brown to return from injured reserve this week, allowing him to practice and be reinstated to the 53-man roster within 21 days. He potentially could be activated to play Monday night.

Potentially getting Brown in time for Week 11 could be a difference-maker. He racked up 485 yards and three touchdowns on 43 catches in the six games.  

And with Zach Ertz out for the season with a knee injury, it will be extremely crucial for the pairing of Hopkins and Brown to work seamlessly. 

Brown will have incentive to finish strong. The Oklahoma alum is on the final year of his rookie contract and is in line to play on the fifth-year option next season.