In a game where both starting quarterbacks went down to injury, the San Francisco 49ers offense picked the Arizona Cardinals defense apart in a 45-29 win.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Only three plays into the game, Trey McBride had a reception for 11 yards. The significance of this catch was that he broke a Cardinals all-time record of most receptions from a tight end in a single season with 57, surpassing Hall of Famer Jackie Smith (1967) and Zach Ertz (2021).
Moments later, Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray handed off the ball to RB James Conner for a 2-yard rushing touchdown.
However, Murray would have a day full of twists and turns going forward.
Cardinals kicker Matt Prater would make three fields, including one from 58 yards away.
Murray threw two interceptions at San Francisco cornerback Charvarius Ward, including one where he bolted 66 yards and recorded a Pick-6.
Both Murray and Purdy would go down hurt after being sacked before coming back on their next offensive drives.
Purdy, 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey and wide receiver Deebo Samuel gave the Cardinals defense problems all game, connecting on four total touchdowns.
Even though their offense was rolling all afternoon, the 49ers defense were not as compact as they have been recently.
Murray and the Cardinals produced 436 yards of offense, including 234 from rushing alone.
Breaking through the 49ers defensive line, Cardinals rookie RB Emari Demercado dashed into the end zone for a 49-yard run.
To wrap up the blowout, San Fransisco kicker Jake Moody finished a field goal.
With the game beyond over, Elijah Higgins capitalized off a 8-yard pass from Murray for a TD as the game ended 45-29 49ers.
Following this loss, the Cardinals fall to 3-11 and remain fourth in the NFC West.
With the victory, San Francisco are 11-3 on the season and are the NFC West Division winners.
Next up, Arizona play the Chicago Bears on Dec. 24 and the 49ers face the Ravens on Dec. 25.
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Alec Cipollini is a journalist covering the Arizona Coyotes and Cardinals for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account @AlecCipollini
