Arizona Cardinals (4-7) – San Francisco 49ers (6-4): 10-38
Duel of all dangers this Monday between the Cardinals and the 49ers, in a relocated match in a boiling city of Mexico City. On the one hand, the “locals” of Arizona (despite a very (very) large majority of the stadium won over to the cause of the Niners) who must absolutely impose themselves, on pain of seeing the evening opponents escape irretrievably in the playoff race. With an NFC East in good shape, it’s likely that only another division can qualify a second team for wildcards. It is therefore necessary to grab at least this second place. On the other side, the Niners who have the opportunity to break away from the Rams-Cardinals duo, but above all to steal the first division spot from the Seahawks in bye week.
Hostile atmosphere for locals
Tease, the NFL knew it was not doing the Cardinals a favor by scheduling a game against a San Francisco team with a very strong presence in the Latino community. If the specialized site Vivid Seats had forecast a ratio of 80% of spectators won over to the cause of “visitors”, we are closer to 90 or 95% of the 78,500 spectators shouting at each other to disturb the Cardinals, attests to the bronca at the entrance of the players.
TDA in Mexico City 🇲🇽!
The bronca for the Cardinals 🥶! pic.twitter.com/OQJsn2IG4A
— DNA of Sports.com – NFL News 🏈 (@DNA of Sports) November 22, 2022
San Francisco advances, Arizona hangs on
In the first period, the Niners defense clearly takes precedence over an uninspired Cardinals attack. In the air, Colt McCoy (24/34, 218 yards, 1 interception) mainly finds DeAndre Hopkins (9 receptions, 91 yards). The rapid injury of receiver Rondale Moore does not help, while on the ground, San Francisco contains rather well James Conner (14 races, 42 yards).
However, Jimmy G.’s teammates (20-29, 228 yards, 4 TD) are struggling to widen the gap. Authors of 2 touchdowns through the inevitable Brandon Aiyuk (2 receptions, 20 yards, 2 TD) and George Kittle (4 receptions, 84 yards, 2 TD), the Californians only lead by 7 points at halftime , the fault in particular of a great breakthrough by Greg Dortch for 47 yards.
Californians smother Cardinals on return from locker room
San Francisco receives possession on returning from the locker room, and does not wait to drive the point home. Shanahan’s oiled play sets in, the ball is fanned between the team’s many playmakers. At the end of the drive, who else but Deebo Samuel (3 races, 37 yards, 1 TD, 7 receptions, 57 yards) to plant an additional banderilla in the injured Arizonian beast?
The great Deebo Samuel is back! And that’s 24-10 for San Francisco! pic.twitter.com/ravoeQcWwN
— DNA of Sports.com – NFL News 🏈 (@DNA of Sports) November 22, 2022
But the ordeal is not over for the Cardinals. Faced with an XXL defense, and with an absolutely deafening noise from the stadium, the Cards are at a standstill. The sterile series are linked, and opposite San Francisco does not release the foot of the accelerator. A new TD from Aiyuk brings the score to 31 points. Then Kittle for 38 points. Garbage time lasts an entire quarter at preseason pace. McCoy is replaced by Trace McSorley, Garoppolo by Brock Purdy: the mass is said.
With this resounding victory, the 49ers take the lead in the division and send a strong message to the rest of the NFC: they will have to be counted on.
