By 49ers Webzone,David Bonilla

Copyright yardbarker

This Sunday, the San Francisco 49ers will host the Arizona Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium in a pivotal NFC West matchup between two of the division’s three undefeated teams. The 49ers, favored in their first two road games against Seattle and New Orleans, enter Week 3 as favorites once again.

BetMGM currently lists San Francisco as a 1.5-point favorite over the Cardinals. Arizona comes off a 27-22 win over the Carolina Panthers, while the 49ers narrowly defeated the Saints 26-21.

Mac Jones is expected to start for the second consecutive week in place of injured quarterback Brock Purdy, who is sidelined with a toe injury. Jones threw for 279 yards and three touchdowns in Sunday’s win at the Caesars Superdome and will aim to help San Francisco improve to 3-0.

Although the 49ers haven’t ruled out a return for Purdy in the home opener, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reports that the franchise quarterback is more likely to return in Week 4 against the Jacksonville Jaguars or Week 5 against the Los Angeles Rams.

San Francisco will also continue to be without tight end George Kittle, sidelined with a hamstring injury and expected to return no earlier than Week 6 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after being placed on injured reserve. Left guard Ben Bartch will also miss time due to a high-ankle sprain sustained against the Saints.

The team is monitoring the progress of fullback Kyle Juszczyk and wide receiver Jauan Jennings this week. Juszczyk is in the concussion protocol, while Jennings is recovering from an ankle injury suffered in New Orleans.

On the stat sheet, the 49ers’ sixth-ranked defense (based on total yards allowed) will face Arizona’s 24th-ranked offense (based on total yards earned), while San Francisco’s eighth-ranked offense takes on the Cardinals’ 21st-ranked defense. Despite injuries and uncertainty at quarterback, the 49ers remain favored to extend their undefeated start.