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Arizona Cardinals stun 49ers with comeback win

The Arizona Cardinals, fresh off a brutal 42-14 loss in Week 4, bounced back in stunning fashion, overcoming a 13-point second-half deficit to edge the San Francisco 49ers, 24-23, in a dramatic NFC West showdown in Santa Clara.

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Arizona’s offense, the best in football on opening drives this season, kept that reputation intact. Kyler Murray ignited the scoring with a 50-yard touchdown run, his longest of the season, putting the Cardinals up early. Remarkably, Arizona has now scored a touchdown on its opening drive in every game this year.

Murray knew he had a touchdown about five yards into the run.

Defense Rises to the Occasion

However, like Week 4, the Cardinals’ offense sputtered after their strong start. Following the opening possession touchdown, Arizona endured a series of mishaps—a three-and-out, a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown, and a costly interception.

The 49ers took full advantage of Arizona’s mistakes, dominating time of possession and heading into halftime with a commanding 23-10 lead. It looked like another long day for Drew Petzing’s offense.

But the second half told a different story, as Arizona’s defense delivered its best performance of the season. After the Cardinals went three-and-out to open the third quarter, linebacker Mack Wilson intercepted Brock Purdy, sparking life back into the team.

Although the Cardinals couldn’t fully capitalize on the turnover, backup kicker Chad Ryland, filling in for the injured Matt Prater, drilled a 42-yard field goal to trim the deficit to 23-13. Ryland hadn’t played in an NFL game since January 7th, but he more than made up for his earlier blocked attempt.

4th Quarter Drama Unfolds

The fourth quarter began with the Cardinals still trailing by 10. Kyler Murray and James Conner orchestrated a 12-play, 73-yard drive that culminated in a touchdown pass to tight end Elijah Higgins in the back of the end zone.

Since the 49ers were handed a roughing the passing penalty, giving the Cardinals half the distance to the goal line, Arizona converted a successful two-point conversion, which played a critical role in allowing the Cardinals to escape with a win.

Then, with the 49ers driving down the field looking to put the game away, Jordan Mason fumbled, handing the ball over to Arizona down by two and six minutes remaining on the clock.

Arizona responded with another long, methodical drive. Conner was instrumental, breaking tackles on multiple runs, but it was a pivotal 4th down pass from Murray to Marvin Harrison Jr. that kept the drive alive, with Murray lofting the ball off his back foot under pressure.

Ryland, the unlikely hero, then connected on a 35-yard field goal to give the Cardinals a 24-23 lead with under two minutes remaining.

Brock Purdy attempted to lead the 49ers on a game-winning drive, but Kyzir White intercepted him to seal the victory for Arizona.

The 49ers were held scoreless in the 2nd half.

Next up

What began as another rough outing for the Cardinals turned into one of the season’s most improbable victories, marking Arizona’s first win over the 49ers since 2021. The win improved the Cardinals to 2-0 against NFC West opponents and provided a much-needed boost as they near the end of their early-season gauntlet.

Next up, Arizona travels to face the 3-2 Green Bay Packers. The Cardinals haven’t beaten the Packers since 2018, but with momentum on their side, they’ll look to change that.

Key stats

  • James Conner: 19 carries, 86 yards
  • Michael Wilson: 5 receptions, 78 yards
  • Budda Baker: 12 total tackles
  • Cardinals: 6.5 yards per rush
  • 49ers: 3 turnovers

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