Arizona Cardinals (8-9) – San Francisco 49ers (6-11): 47-24
The divisional duel between Arizona and San Francisco perhaps lacked flavor before kickoff. It is true that the two teams are already eliminated from the playoffs and are only playing for the places of honor. However, both teams put on an entertaining show thanks to Kyler Murray, a few slaps and some envy. Arizona wins its two division matches against its rival, a first since 2021.
Kyler Murray (25/35, 242 yards, 4 touchdowns) released his most successful performance of the season. Fans can bite their fingers, it comes in the last week anecdotally. Now Jonathan Gannon (HC) can still smile, after a season where he doubled his victory total. Her defense has also improved, she showed it again.
The 49ers preferred not to take any risks by not playing the majority of their players. San Francisco's season has been plagued by injuries (20 players on injured reserve, second highest total) so there's no point in having more before the break. Kyle Shanahan (HC) will nevertheless have to resolve the indiscipline, once again too significant.
A new Trey McShow
The superlatives will start to run out for Trey McBride (7 receptions, 65 yards, 1 touchdown). The tight end lit up the first period. He received very complex passes, the first with full extension of his fingertips. Then he chose power when jumping over an opposing player, falling on him and crushing him for the first down. Fred Warner paid the price for the recent Pro Bowl selection, too. He was carried on his back like a common travel bag then delicately conceded a touchdown before halftime (17-10).
No issues but disputes
If the two teams are already eliminated from the playoffs for this final day of the regular season, they nonetheless remain two division rivals. After a very boring first quarter (3-3), the match finally heated up. Thanks in particular to Sean Murphy-Bunting who acrobatically intercepts a pass from Josh Dobbs. Then Jauan Jennings (7 receptions, 52 yards) joins the party. In a series he signs two successive fights, the second is enough to exclude him and his opponent… Murphy-Bunting, as if by chance. The match is on.
Josh Dobbs (29/43, 326 yards, 2 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 1 rushing touchdown, 1 fumble) may have less resentment than his receiver, he nonetheless remains a former Cardinals player in 2023 Over two series he brought back the good memories of the fans by executing a drive on the ground concluded with his legs (10-10), then by asserting himself on one. « 2 minutes drill » sumptuous to add points before the break (17-17). Josh Dobbs even allows himself to increase his passing touchdown total thanks to a Kyle Juszczyk forgotten by the defense (26-24). Behind the “Passtronaut” becomes not too great by chaining a fumble and an interception in the last quarter to kill the game.
Kyler Murray or the art of the useless top performance
The Cardinals' aerial attack has been looking for a long time in 2024. The fault lies in risky game concepts, faltering calls from Drew Petzing (OC) and a Kyler Murray on very alternating current. The second quarter was the opposite of that. Greg Dortch (4 receptions, 47 yards, 2 touchdowns) finally enters the game plans and uses his speed after reception to increase the score (10-3). Kyler then distributes to all his targets for a new touchdown (17-10) and a field goal on the siren (20-17).
Kyler Murray continues his momentum in the second period. He finds Greg Dortch again and his second touchdown of the evening (26-17). He performs a perfect series to allow Michael Carter (17 races, 43 yards, 1 touchdown) to run into the goal (33-24). And finally he allows himself to wait for the mark of 4 passing touchdowns, for the first time this season, by finding Marvin Harrison Jr. (5 receptions, 63 yards, 1 touchdown), for the last time this season ( 40-24).
Tony Jones Jr. (RB) adds a touchdown in added time against the already listless 49ers (47-24). The Cardinals finish the season on a strong note and can hope to build on all the positives from this game for 2025.
