Redemption time: 49ers defense needs better showing vs. Cardinals

Although the Seattle game is the only loss on the season, it may have been the defense’s best performance.

Although the Seattle game is the only loss of the season, it may have been the defense’s best performance. If it weren’t for the turnovers from the offense, the story would have been dominated by the 49ers’ defensive dominance.

Now they take on an Arizona team that gave them some fits and forced what may have been their worst performance just two weeks ago.

The defense will want to show they can hang against Kliff Kingsbury’s offense and rookie quarterback Kyler Murray. Here are the six players to watch on that side of the ball:

LB Fred Warner

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Warner impressed against Seattle with the best game of his career. He finished with 10 tackles, 2.0 sacks, a forced fumble, and a pass deflection, and was all over the field in general. The defense lost a leader in Kwon Alexander, but if Warner can continue his performance from Monday night, he can step into a new role as the heart of the defense.