The Cardinals ’playoff hopes took a significant hit on Saturday, as Arizona’s home run fell to 49-20, 20-12. The 49-year-old was led by quarterback C.J. Beathardt’s three touchdown passes, Jeff Wilson’s 183 rushing yards and a defense that gave the Cardinals a 4 out of 16 on the third down and a 1 in the red zone.
San Francisco, which has already moved away from the post Ason Zane, improved to 6–9 while avoiding a season sweep at the hands of the Cardinals. Arizona, now at the age of -2, is trailing the Bears (who will face the Jaguars on Sunday) in the race for the NFC’s final playoff spot after a 2-2 start.
Wilson’s 21-yard catch-and-carry gave San Francisco a 7-6 halftime lead. Carian Drake started the fourth quarter with a touchdown run from the yard after Arizona’s back-backing, 49ers tight end with a second touchdown from Kyle Jussicz’s half-half extended San Francisco’s lead 20-26 with :: :: left left. When he picked up the end zone pass of the killer Murray made for Christian Kirk, the cornback ahkello Witherspoon of 49 people finished the next drive of the Cardinals. The San Francisco defense sealed the victory while Murray was unable to connect with Dandre Hopkins on the fourth down with 20 seconds left.
Why the 49ers won
When they coughed up the ball once, 49 weeks later they committed a very small amount of their turnover. They also forced two turnovers that included Wirespun’s Murray’s final zone pick. Led by Wilson, the 49ers’ rushing attack hit 227 yards on 30 carry. His 34-yard carry set up Beathard’s second touchdown pass to Jussicak who gave the 49ers an eight-point cushion. Tate & George Kettle, who played for the first time since Week 8, caught four of five goals from 92 yards despite playing a limited quick. His 24-yard catch set up Wilson’s first-quarter touchdown, while his 27-yard catch led to a nine-yard touchdown catch from Juzisk that gave 49 a third-quarter lead.
Ers ers People survived the shocking impact of Robbie Gold, who lost three kicks, including k1 and y 37 yard field goal attempts. And while they were only 2 out of 9 in third place, one of those conversions was running Jerry Mc McKinnon’s impressive catch-and-carry on the third and 10th play that set Juskick’s first touchdown.
Why the Cardinals lost
While they were 4 out of 6 on the fourth down, the Cardinals were only 4 out of 16 on the third down. Drake rushed just 18 yards on 18 carry, as the 49iners, 227-120, were run out by the Cardinals. Hopkins, who caught 14 passes for 151 yards on 49ers in Week 1 of Ers Rizo, recorded just 48 yards on eight catches on Saturday. Murray, who went 31 out of 50 at 247 yards, was fired three times while facing the constant pressure of 49 passes.
Murray was also replaced by his recipients. Going back -3- late in the first half, the tight end went down Dan Arnold Ndo Pass and also made a costly wrong start that forced the Cardinals to settle for a field goal. At the end of 14-6 in the third quarter, Arnold moved to flood the Cardinals ’36-yard line before the Cardinals’ defense came up with a stop. And while his underdog was a byproduct of an undertron pass, Kirk, whose 38-yard catch was setting Mike Nugent’s first-quarter field goal, would have done something to prevent Witherpoon from coming off the ball.
Turn
After cutting their lead to two points from Drake’s touchdown, the 49ers appeared on their heels as the 49ers’ defense forced a punt on San Francisco’s next possession. The 49ers came up with a huge stop, however, linebacker Fred Werner (whose 14 tackles led both teams) broke Murray’s pass for the Hopkins on the fourth-and-two on the Cardinals’ 35-yard line. In Wilson’s 34-yard second game, Beathardt’s one-yard touchdown hit Zuzzezic.
Play the game
While he had several impressive runs, Wilson’s touchdown catch gave the 49ers an early momentum. Wilson, who entered the game with just 341 rushing yards, recorded his second 100-yard performance of the season. He now has eight touchdowns this season and five in the last three of 49 matches.
Quotable
“We’re not proud of our record, but it doesn’t tell the story of who these people are.” – Kyle Shanahan, coach of 49 players on the injured team, By Peter Pansy of Fanside
“We have to find a way to take the next step.” – After Cardinals coach Cliff Kingsbury, his team lost control of their playoff future, By Kyle de Degard of the Cardinals’ official facial website
What’s next
Ramos will travel to Los Angeles, Arizona to face the Reds, who beat the Cardinals when the two teams met in Week 13. -NFC Game lead over the Rams at West Standings and a two-game lead over the Cardinals.
Check out our live blog below to revive Saturday’s action in real time.
