San Francisco 49ers (2-3) – Arizona Cardinals (2-3): 23-24
In a thrilling match, the Arizona Cardinals seek an unexpected victory. Jonathan Gannon's men (HC) showed a lot of desire and a good dose of resilience to overcome the talent gap between the two squads.
You have to add a pinch of luck to this recipe. When 49ers Kicker Jake Moody gets injured, the new player in the same position for the Cardinals, Chad Ryland (3/4 FG) drives the final nail to finish off his division rivals.
If Kyler Murray (19/30, 195 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception) and Brock Purdy (19/35, 244 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions) were not perfect, they were also great leaders of a quality show.
Brandon Aiyuk (really) back
The first half is a condensed version of football. But in the middle of this astonishing cocktail, a man explodes onto the front of the stage for the first time this season. And this arrival was expected, after his offseason drama and the big contract that resulted from it. This man is obviously Brandon Aiyuk, the 49ers receiver (8 receptions, 147 yards).
Before that, Arizona started the meeting particularly well, a habit this season. In two plays and a 50-yard run from Kyler Murray, the Cardinals took off for the first time, a couple of minutes after the start of the match (0-7). San Francisco responds in the wake of a quick drive to get closer with a field goal (3-7).
The Niners defense, led by Nick Bosa (4 tackles, 1 interception), raises its voice. The Arizona Cardinals, without a response, returned the ball with a punt for the first time. The difference in talent is felt and Brandon Aiyuk feasts against the candid cornerbacks. Brock Purdy finishes the job too easily for George Kittle (TE) in the scoring zone at the end of the first quarter (10-7).
The second quarter falls into extravaganza for the 49ers. If the defense allows itself to allow a field goal to the Cardinals. The attack returns the favor (13-10). 5 minutes from halftime, San Francisco kills the Cardinals' momentum for the first time. Jordan Elliott (DT) blocks a field goal, returned for a touchdown by Deommodore Lenoir (CB) (20-10). And Nick Bosa (DE) intercepts a screen pass on the following drive. Problem, Jake Moody (K) gets injured. This did not prevent punter Mitch Wishnowsky from adding three points to the gong (23-10).
You miss only one being…
Jake Moody. A kicker has never been missed so much by his team. Kyle Shanahan doesn't know it yet, he is rather calm with a record of 38 wins for 0 losses when his team leads by 10 points or more at halftime. But everything changes when Purdy sees his blocked pass fall into the opposing hands.
The Cardinals then remember the existence of James Conner (RB) to change the face of their team. After a listless and underused running game in the first half (6 races, 9 yards), Conner carries his teammates on his back (total 19 races, 86 yards). The attack slips in the scoring zone but adds three points on the first series of the second period (23-13).
San Francisco is in control, Shanahan lets the clock run down and surely advances into the opposing field. But in the last twenty yards, the defense tightens and the Niners cannot find a solution. Without a kicker, they attempt a fatally unsuccessful 4&23. Michael Wilson (5 receptions, 78 yards) becomes Kyler Murray's main target. The Arizona Cardinals took advantage of the duo to advance and ended up on a hidden play with a touchdown pass to Elijah Higgins. The score becomes worrying after the successful two-point transformation (23-21). There are only ten minutes left.
And everything is depopulated
The 49ers resume their undermining work, it is the turn of Jordan Mason (RB) to escape the ball on a punch from elsewhere. The Cardinals then have six minutes to accomplish the feat. James Conner multiplies fantastic rides. And Kyler Murray finds Marvin Harrison Jr. with a blind pass to convert a 4e attempt. Chad Ryland, the Arizona kicker, freshly brought on board to replace the holder, puts the 49ers in the coffin 1min37 from the end of the match (23-24).
That's more than enough for Bro… A well-felt blitz from the Cardinals defense forces Purdy to send the ball flying, Kyzir White dives and falls to the ground, the leather in his hands. The Cardinals achieve the feat.
The match with its crazy scenario and crossed destinies puts the two teams back on an equal footing in the NFC West. San Francisco loses on details, Arizona shows that it still has character for the rest of the competition.
