The San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals braved scorching temperatures to deliver an exciting NFC West showdown. Here’s everything you need to know about the game, including player stats, box score, and recap.
Arizona Cardinals vs. San Francisco 49ers Box Score
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | F | |
| Cardinals | 7 | 3 | 3 | 11 | 24 |
| 49ers | 10 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 23 |
Cardinals-49ers Stat Leaders
Leading Passers
Kyler Murray: 19-of-30 for 195 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception
Brock Purdy: 18-of-33 for 229 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception
Leading Rushers
James Conner: 19 carries for 86 yards
Kyler Murray: 5 carries for 85 yards and 1 touchdown
Jordan Mason: 14 carries for 89 yards
Leading Receivers
Michael Wilson: 5 receptions for 78 yards
Trey McBride: 6 receptions for 53 yards
Brandon Aiyuk: 8 receptions for 147 yards
George Kittle: 7 receptions for 49 yards and 1 touchdown
Cardinals-49ers Game Recap
Kyler Murray opened the scoring with a 50-yard rushing touchdown, the longest by a quarterback this season.
Bye bye Ky 👋 @AZCardinals take an early lead!
📺: #AZvsSF on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/EUHKDDLEoO— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2024
The Niners seemingly seized control, scoring 23 points with four consecutive scoring drives. However, the turning point came in the second quarter, when Jake Moody sprained his ankle attempting to make a tackle.
Although punter Mitch Wishnowsky would kick a 26-yard field goal, Moody’s injury drastically altered the Niners’ functionality, as they did not attempt field goals the rest of the game. That led to a play style that clearly cost San Francisco points, such as when they went for it on 4th-and-23 from the Cardinals’ 27-yard line.
With the 49ers’ offense hamstrung, the Cardinals took advantage, drawing to within two points on an Elijah Higgins touchdown (and an ensuing two-point conversion). The 49ers were seemingly in strong position to put the game away with a clutch touchdown drive, only for Jordan Mason to fumble on first-and-goal at the 8-yard line.
MORE: Simulate the Season With PFN’s Playoff Predictor
The Cardinals took the ball and drove 74 yards on 14 plays, taking a 24-23 lead with a 35-yard field goal from newly signed kicker Chad Ryland (who had a FG blocked and returned for a touchdown earlier in the game). San Francisco’s last-ditch attempt to salvage the win was thwarted when Brock Purdy threw an interception with 1:16 remaining.
Thank you, Kyzir pic.twitter.com/qDoypKOOic
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) October 6, 2024
The defending NFC champions have fallen to 2-3, with their only wins coming over the New England Patriots and New York Jets at home. Meanwhile, the Cardinals continue their surprising season, improving to 2-3 with wins over the 49ers and Rams and a close call in Buffalo in Week 1.
The 49ers will have a short week, traveling to Seattle for Thursday Night Football. The Cardinals will look to put together another road upset when they go to Green Bay to face the Packers next Sunday.