The Arizona Cardinals defense made a call at the end of the first quarter of their matchup with the San Francisco 49ers, and quarterback Kyler Murray answered t.
Murray hit wide receiver Greg Dortch on a 23-yard touchdown pass following a Cardinals’ interception to give Arizona a 10-3 lead early in the first quarter of Sunday’s matchup.
Greg Dortch jukes and turns on the wheels for an @AZCardinals TD! ????
????: #SFvsAZ on FOX
????: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/5E0Zgulnoi— NFL (@NFL) January 5, 2025
The Cardinals got off to a sluggish start, seeing its opening drives result in a punt and 51-yard field goal by kicker Chad Ryland to knot the score at 3-3.
Arizona took advantage of a wounded 49ers’ offense being helped by a familiar face, seeing 49ers backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs — who played significant time in Kyler Murray’s 2023 absence due to injury — under center. On the third play of San Francisco’s next offensive drive following Ryland’s field goal, Dobbs overthrew wide receiver Jauan Jennings on a deep curl, placing the ball in the hands of Cardinals corner back Sean Murphy-Bunting for an interception as the first quarter neared its end.
OUR BALL. OUR BALL. OUR BALL.
????: #SFvsAZ on FOX pic.twitter.com/JkmsMf6XZB
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) January 5, 2025
Arizona marched down the field seven plays later, seeing the small, yet shifty, Dortch dance his way through the 49ers’ defense after catching a quick slant early in the second quarter. After the two teams exchanged punts, Dobbs got his payback, leading an eight-play, 74-yard drive that he capped off with a one-yard touchdown run to bring the game back even.
Pay dirt!
????: #SFvsAZ on FOX
NFL+ // https://t.co/KTh0i4nCVJ pic.twitter.com/mQDQ84OfVi— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 5, 2025
Neither team has anything of value to play for; however, it’s clear that neither team wants to walk off the field as the worst in the division.
*Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, and exclusive content. SIGN UP HEREÂ to unlock our premium content!*
Reporter Jordyn Bennett covers the Arizona Cardinals, Arizona State, Phoenix area sports and sports related topics. You can follow him on his X account, @j_bennett_live
