Cardinals vs 49ers: Key Stats, Player Ratings & Who Won Big
Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California. The San Francisco 49ers clutched a dramatic 16-15 win over the Arizona Cardinals on a game-winning field goal by Eddy Piñeiro as time expired. Let’s break down what happened, who stood out, who under-performed, and what it means moving forward.
Final Score & Game Summary
The 49ers improved to **3-0** on the season with this victory. The Cardinals dropped to **2-1**.
After a tight game where neither offense could punch it in for much of the first half, the game’s momentum shifted multiple times. Arizona took a late safety to lead 15-13, but San Francisco mounted a 10-play, 63-yard drive in the final minute and hit a 35-yard field goal via Piñeiro with just seconds on the clock.
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Key Stats That Made the Difference
- Time of Possession: Cardinals dominated here, holding the ball for ~34:39 vs the 49ers’ ~25:21. Yet that didn’t translate to a win.
- Total Yards: 49ers edged them out – ~355 total yards vs ~260 by Arizona.
- Passing Efficiency: Mac Jones went 27/41 for 284 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT. Kyler Murray managed 22/35 for 159 yards and 1 TD.
- Scrimmage Yardage (49ers’ RB): Christian McCaffrey totaled 140 yards from scrimmage, showing his dual threat potential again.
- Big Plays & Penalties: The Cardinals got a safety late via a holding call in the end zone (on 49ers) to take a temporary lead. Also, a key penalty on Dominick Puni helped set up the 49ers’ final drive.
Player Ratings: Who Shone, Who Struggled
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Mac Jones (49ers QB)
He executed under pressure. Despite a knee issue (which hampered him especially in later parts of the game), Jones threw accurately, made the right reads, and led the game-winning drive. 27/41, ~284 yards, a TD and INT – solid in difficult conditions.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Christian McCaffrey (49ers RB)
A workhorse. 52 rushing yards, 88 receiving yards. He remains one of the few players in recent memory to get 50+ yards both rushing and receiving in each of the first 3 games of a season. Also reached 100+ yards from scrimmage again. Makes a huge difference in tight games.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Ricky Pearsall (49ers WR)
Huge day as a receiver. With 8 catches for 117 yards, he was often the go-to option. Made several critical catches on the final drive. He stepped up while others were injured or limited.
⭐⭐⭐ Kyler Murray (Cardinals QB)
A mixed performance. Murray had flashes – connected for a TD to Trey McBride, made some plays on the ground. But overall was held in check, especially through the air. Not enough big plays when needed.
⭐⭐ Trey McBride (Cardinals TE)
One of the more consistent Cardinals. Pulled in 5 catches for 43 yards and the lone Cardinal touchdown. Did his job, but the team needed more.
⭐⭐⭐ Eddy Piñeiro (49ers Kicker)
Makes the difference. Perfect on all three field goal attempts (38, 51, 35), with the final one being a walk-off as time expired. Clutch.
⭐⭐⭐ Nick Bosa (49ers DL)
Started strong, got two tackles and forced a fumble, but left early due to a knee injury. His early pass rush pressure mattered, and his exit is a concern.
Injuries & Turning Points
The game saw some major injury developments. Most notably, **Nick Bosa** exited in the first quarter with a knee injury. The 49ers are awaiting MRI results – anything serious here could shift dynamics going forward.
On the Cardinals side, running back **James Conner** suffered a severe ankle injury in the second half which is expected to sideline him for the rest of the season. That takes away a key component of Arizona’s backfield.
Who Won Big — The Takeaway
On balance, **San Francisco won more in this game than just the scoreboard**:
- They showed resilience under pressure – overcoming the safety and rallying in the final minutes.
- Depth matters: In spite of injuries to key players like Bosa and others, they had enough playmakers who stepped up (McCaffrey, Pearsall, Piñeiro).
- Last-minute execution: The final drive was well-orchestrated, and Piñeiro’s kick sealed it—cliché but true.
For Arizona, the loss hurts more because of missed opportunities. Dominating time of possession is good, but when you don’t capitalize fully (especially in the red zone or on big plays), tight games slip away.
What This Means Moving Forward
With this win, the 49ers stake their claim atop the NFC West, improving to 3-0. They look dangerous—they’re finding ways to win even when not perfect. That bodes well for confidence in tight games ahead.
The Cardinals need to regroup. Losing Conner for the season is a blow. Their offense needs more punch, more big plays, especially when the opponent is limiting Murray. Ditto for defense — stopping late rallies is going to be crucial.
Final Player Ratings Summary
| Player | Team | Rating (out of 5) |
|---|---|---|
| Mac Jones | 49ers | 5 |
| Christian McCaffrey | 49ers | 5 |
| Ricky Pearsall | 49ers | 4 |
| Eddy Piñeiro | 49ers | 3 |
| Nick Bosa | 49ers | 3 |
| Kyler Murray | Cardinals | 3 |
| Trey McBride | Cardinals | 2 |
Looking Ahead: What’s Next?
The 49ers have momentum but will need to stay healthy. Particularly crucial: how Bosa recovers, how the offensive line holds up, and how often McCaffrey can continue being a dual threat.
Arizona’s path looks tougher now: replacing Conner in the backfield, generating explosive playmaking, and avoiding letting tight games get away will be the difference between 2-2 and being back in the playoff mix.
One thing is clear: games like this — close, tension-filled, executed in the last seconds — are what make NFL life so addictive. San Francisco got the thrill tonight. Arizona still has plenty of season left, but this one might sting for a while.
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