The Arizona Cardinals just didn’t have enough to compete with the San Francisco 49ers. Josh Dobbs threw two touchdown passes to rookie receiver Michael Wilson, but 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey had 177 yards from scrimmage and scored four touchdowns as the 49ers rolled to a 35-16 win, improving to 4-0.
The Cardinals allowed the 49ers to score touchdowns in all five trips to the red zone, and 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy had only one incompletion in 21 passing attempts.
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3-and-out
The Cardinals start on offense and go three-and-out to start the game.
2 new defensive starters
On defense, with Jonathan Ledbetter out with a finger injury, rookie Dante Stills was one of the defensive line starters with Kevin Strong and Leki Fotu.
Zeke Turner started at linebacker with Kyzir White.
Josh Woods was out and Krys Barnes only had limited reps in practice during the week.
It was Turner’s first career start.
49ers 7, Cardinals 0
Death, taxes and @CMC_22 scoring touchdowns.#AZvsSF on FOX
NFL+ // https://t.co/KTh0i4oaLh pic.twitter.com/y1FcpmCAvE— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 1, 2023
Christian McCaffrey set a 49ers record with a touchdown in his 13th consecutive game. It was the first opening-drive points allowed by the Cardinals this season and the third opening-drive touchdown the 49ers have scored this season.
He punched it in from one yard out.
49ers 14, Cardinals 0: Christian McCaffrey hurdles way to TD
He's literally HIM. #AZvsSF on FOX
NFL+ // https://t.co/KTh0i4oaLh@CMC_22 pic.twitter.com/xBJBJ3WrV9— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 1, 2023
McCaffrey found his way to the end zone for the second time, but it was with some flair. On his 18-yard touchdown run, he hurdled rookie cornerback Kei’Trel Clark, giving TV networks a highlight to run for weeks.
The 49ers started the game 2-for-2 scoring touchdowns in the red zone.
49ers 14, Cardinals 3
Prater is GOOD from 38 🙌 pic.twitter.com/m8z4AKucEn
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) October 1, 2023
The Cardinals got on the board with a 38-yard field goal with 8:14 left in the second quarter. The Cardinals converted a fourth-and-7 with an eight-yard scramble by Josh Dobbs. Zach Pascal had a couple of catches in the drive.
The Cardinals gained 40 yards on a 13-play drive.
49ers 21, Cardinals 3
*extremely DJ Khaled voice* ANOTHA ONE ‼️#AZvsSF on FOX
NFL+ // https://t.co/KTh0i4oaLh@CMC_22 pic.twitter.com/uxqzAJ9aHh— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 1, 2023
The 49ers answered the Cardinals’ field goal with McCaffrey’s third touchdown of the game. Brock Purdy uncorked a 42-yard pass to Brandon Aiyuk and, two plays later, Purdy threw a six-yard touchdown pass to McCaffrey.
Fake punt first down!
#AZCardinals use LB Ezekiel Turner as a FB – he runs it 2 yards for a first down#AZvsSF
— Dani Sureck (@DaniSureck) October 1, 2023
After an incompletion on third down deep in their own territory, Zeke Turner took a direct snap and just picked up a first down to extend a drive.
CB Kris Boyd hurt
Boyd was announced as questionable to return with a hip injury. He sustained it on the kickoff the Cardinals had on their final possession of the first half. Boyd was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct after the play.
MICHAEL WILSON TD! 49ers 21, Cardinals 10
FIRST CAREER TD FOR 1️⃣4️⃣@mikewilllyy x #BirdGang pic.twitter.com/DBmxm16LrU
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) October 1, 2023
The Cardinals scored a touchdown at the end of the half. It was Michael Wilson’s first career touchdown, a 16-yard pass from Josh Dobbs. It came a play after Wilson caught a 33-yard pass.
The score closed the gap to 21-10 with 23 seconds left in the half.
It was a 13-play drive for 87 yards this time and featured the converted fourth down by Turner.
Cardinals force punt after Dennis Gardeck's sack
The Cardinals did not see the 49ers punt in the first half. They forced one on the Niners’ opening possession of the second half.
Kei’Trel Clark tackled Deebo Samuel for a two-yard loss and Dennis Gardeck had his fourth sack of the season. On the next play, Brock Purdy threw his first incompletion of the day.
But the punt went to the one-yard line.
99-YARD TD DRIVE! 49ers 21, Cardinals 16
The throw 🎯
The catch 🔥@josh_dobbs1 x @mikewilllyy pic.twitter.com/5GAFK7Riip— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) October 1, 2023
The Cardinals drove 99 yards in 11 plays. Josh Dobbs found Michael Wilson for an eight-yard touchdown pass, Dobbs’ second to Wilson in the game.
They tried for two but failed to convert.
49ers 28, Cardinals 16
We're running out of captions for all of these @CMC_22 TDs.#AZvsSF on FOX
NFL+ // https://t.co/KTh0i4oaLh pic.twitter.com/6gZyYgAsRM— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 1, 2023
Arizona’s defense could not get another stop. Purdy started the drive with a 34-yard pass play and McCaffrey found his way to the end zone for the fourth time. This time, it was a rush from two yards out.
49ers 35, Cardinals 16
mood 😃#FTTB pic.twitter.com/DYkG4o3w5r
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 1, 2023
The Cardinals were unable to make a stop, and the 49ers added a fifth touchdown in five red-zone trips, going 77 yards in 14 plays. Brock Purdy had a one-yard sneak for the touchdown.
