Arizona Cardinals (3-11) – San Francisco 49ers (11-3): 29-45
In a stadium won over to the visitors' cause, David will not have brought down Goliath. However, the Cardinals were not ridiculous, managing to stop the 49ers' attack in the first half by keeping their hands on the ball. The talent delta between the two squads is however far too important and San Francisco scores too many touchdowns, when the Cards are only content with field goals. Still in his race for MVP, Christian McCaffrey once again made his mark by scoring a hat-trick.
Arizona plays spoilsport
The Cardinals did not come as expiatory victims against the confident Californians (five consecutive victories). From the first offensive, Kyler Murray (26/39, 211 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT) alternates well between passes and races via James Conner (14 races, 86 yards, 1 TD) to finish strong in the goal and take the lead in the score.
If San Francisco does not panic and scores 14 points in the next six minutes (a touchdown for Deebo Samuel then an interception brought into the end zone for Charvarius Ward), it is Arizona who controls the pace of the match to the benefit of two long possessions. Without pace, Kyle Shanahan's attack seems more fragile, as evidenced by the quick punt caused by the Arizona defense. Worse, a shudder runs through the stadium when local Brock Purdy leaves after a bad shot. He will return a few actions later, time to observe that Sam Darnold is still a player in this league.
Accelerate and CMC sees triple
Returning from the locker room, the Niners apply their usual recipe. Accelerate by pressing the CMC key, and San Francisco takes off, leaving the opponents far behind. If Brock Purdy (16/25, 242 yards, 4 TD) is once again impeccable, with 6 different receivers with receptions of more than 15 yards, it is above all the ex-Panther who is in the oven and the mill: 18 carries, 115 yards, 1 TD, 5 receptions, 72 yards, 2 receiving TDs.
At the same time, the defense also tightens the locks, and Kyler Murray is quickly asphyxiated and condemned to make mistakes, like this new interception for Charvarius Ward.
The only spark in the slump of Arizona's second half was Emari Demercado's very nice touchdown:
Demercado runnin' it in for six!@Money_E3 x #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/LaHXHTBePL
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) December 17, 2023
A touchdown which will not change the outcome of the match for the 49ers who will rotate the squad in the last quarter. San Francisco confirms its leadership position in the NFC, and can above all continue to dream of completing the “Grand Slam of birds”, since they have consecutively beaten Seahawks, Eagles, Seahawks and Cardinals. Next meeting to complete the Grand Slam? The Ravens.
Arizona, for its part, improves its position in the draft and allows Jonathan Gannon to continue his roster review. The content is not shameful and the future could be bright for the Cards.
