San Francisco, CA
Overreacting to Cardinals’ Upset Win vs 49ers
If you had told Arizona Cardinals fans they would be 2-3 after the first five games, they would take it.
If you told them it included wins over the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams, most Cardinals fans would have rejoiced.
In what has been a roller coaster of a week, many Cardinals fans feel back on top of the world after Arizona beat the team that has plagued them for many years in San Francisco.
Not to bring those fans back to earth (or anyone for that matter) but there are some overreactions to the game – and some correct reactions:
Verdict: Overreaction
At least for one day, yes, the Cardinals did play like the best team in the division. With the Rams losing respectively to the Packers (and sitting at 1-4) on top of Seattle losing to the Giants at home (rather shockingly), indeed Arizona is back in the division race.
But the best team in the division? There’s a long way to go yet.
But today’s victory was a huge warning sign to the division, that despite all the injuries, issues that plagued both sides of the ball, and their recent history, the Cardinals are not messing around.
Verdict: Slight overreaction
Some teams just get hot early in the season – Washington is one of those teams right now, after dismantling Cleveland in similar fashion to the way they dismantled Arizona last week.
Did Arizona’s flaws and weaknesses get exposed last week? Yes – those should still concern even the most optimistic of fans.
But every team has bad games. And Arizona bounced back in, what many would describe, amazing fashion.
Verdict: Slight overreaction
Petzing has drawn the ire of Cardinals fans and analysts this past week, and rightly so. His first two play calls couldn’t have gone better as a rebound against the 49ers – culminating in a Kyler Murray 50 yard run.
The rest of the game left something to be desired – especially on third down. Now, to be fair, Petzing cannot control the blocked field goal, the dropped touchdown pass from Trey McBride, or some other misses from Kyler Murray.
But there were the usual head-scratching choices (some that even commentator Tom Brady couldn’t help but question) that Petzing threw in throughout the game. Perhaps one of the more head-scratching ones was calling play action in the red zone on a long third down.
To give Petzing his flowers, he did settle down in the 4th quarter and kept it simple by feeding James Conner a lot on the game-winning drive.
But there is still some nervousness from Cardinals fans – and the main question boils down to whether he can figure out how to keep the offense consistent outside of the first drive.
Verdict: Overreaction
395 and 406. 35 and 45.
If you guessed that these were the yardage and point totals from last years two games, or rather losses, against San Francisco, you would be correct.
Today, they allowed a similar amount of yards – 384. The Cardinals took advantage of several strange decisions for the 49ers, however, along with 3 opportunistic turnovers to hold them to 23 points – really only 17 given up on defense with the blocked kick return accounting for 6.
Now, this is certainly an improvement – but if you watched the game, there was usually very little Arizona could do to stop the 49ers offense. So while yes, it’s a step in the right direction, I do believe we need a bit more of a consistent sample size before we say the defense has improved.
The next two games should tell us a lot about this team, and particularly this defense, against two teams that have great offensive lines in Green Bay and the LA Chargers.
Verdict: Overreaction
Kyler has been, rightfully so, at the center of much debate amongst Cardinals fans this past week after a poor performance against the Commanders. Today’s showing won’t necessarily silence the doubters – but it should make it clear that Kyler will, or at the very least should, be part of the solution – and it not the problem in Arizona.
His throw to Marvin Harrison Jr. on fourth down in the fourth quarter to save the game was not luck but incredible skill. And there are very few quarterbacks, perhaps only a couple, that could make his first quarter run to the end zone.
No quarterback is perfect – but it’s really up to the Cardinals staff to continue to figure out how to continue to use his unique skill set.
Verdict: Overreaction
In some other comforting thoughts, Marvin Harrison Jr. will be ok. He was covered pretty well in today’s game, but came up with a clutch catch when it mattered the most.
Just because he’s not putting up Malik Nabers-esque numbers does not mean he’s not proven his importance to this team and this offense. Much like Murray, it’s now on the staff to figure out how to best unlock him.
This is a tough thing to keep perspective after a roller coaster of a week, but it’s important for Cardinals fans, even while at a high point, to know that this may keep taking time for things to come together.
The good news? It does appear Arizona is on the right track.
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SANTA CLARA — If you’re a fan of offense, this was the week for you.
Nine teams scored 30-plus points and three games combined for 60 or more. Captain Kirk Cousins threw for a whopping 509 passing yards, Joe Burrow tossed five touchdown passes, the 49ers, for the umpteenth time in the Kyle Shanahan Era, blew a fourth-quarter lead and Jayden Daniels continued his Offensive Rookie of the Year and NFL MVP campaigns.
The best matchups of the week delivered but unfortunately the worst of the worst teams still found their way onto our screens.
Here’s where the 49ers and the rest of the league stand entering “Monday Night Football.”
32. Tennessee Titans (Last week: 32)
Record: 1-3 (Bye week)
The backbreaking Will Levis turnovers have become automatic. The viral images afterward have been the highlight of their season.
31. Carolina Panthers (Last week: 31)
Record: 1-4
Andy Dalton makes this team watchable but not by much. Continue to #TankWithPride
30. New England Patriots (Last week: 30)
Record: 1-4
The NFL’s worst offense was as advertised but at least Rhamondre Stevenson didn’t fumble! Baby steps.
29. Miami Dolphins (Last week: 27)
Record: 2-3
This offense is borderline unwatchable in its current state. The only thing separating them from the worst of the worst is their backfield. Still plenty of speed.
28. New York Giants (Last week: 28)
Record: 2-3
Daniel Jones cooked without Malik Nabers. Credit where credit is due. Did Tyrone Tracy just become RB1?
27. Jacksonville Jaguars (Last week: 29)
Record: 1-4
Another strong showing from Trevor Lawrence who I was oh-so-close to declaring a bust two weeks ago. I still need to see a lot more but he’s playing much, much better these days.
26. Las Vegas Raiders (Last week: 25)
Record: 2-3
The Raiders looked horrendous which probably means they will beat a very good Steelers team next week. No wonder Davante Adams wanted out. It’s time to embrace the tank.
25. Cleveland Browns (Last week: 20)
Record: 1-4
Please get off my television screen and never return. It’s time you recognize the colossal mistake you made, rip the bandaid off and put in Jameis Winston.
24. Los Angeles Rams (Last week: 21)
Record: 1-4
Kyren Williams can’t do it all but he might have no choice to until Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua return.
23. Indianapolis Colts (Last week: 23)
Record: 2-3
Backup quarterback Joe Flacco and the offense put up 34 points without its most important player. The difference between the veteran and a wreckless gunslinging rookie is night and day.
22. Denver Broncos (Last week: 26)
Record: 3-2
Bo Nix is improving after a terrible start to the season and their defense is very, very good. I don’t think they’re good but they’re certainly not bad.
21. Arizona Cardinals (Last week: 22)
Record: 2-3
The second NFC West team in two weeks to stun the 49ers with an epic comeback. Kyler Murray and James Conner gashed an exhausted San Francisco defense while Arizona’s defense came away with two massive fourth-quarter takeaways.
20. Los Angeles Chargers (Last week: 19)
Record: 2-2 (Bye week)
Someone needs to step up in the passing game and perhaps that’s rookie Ladd McConkey. A much-needed bye for hobbled quarterback Justin Herbert.
19. Cincinnati Bengals (Last week: 18)
Record: 1-4
One of these years we are going to stop counting out Joe Burrow and the Bengals’ offense after a slow start to the season. Five touchdowns and almost 400 passing yards against the Ravens’ defense is a statement, even in a tough loss.
18. New York Jets (Last week: 14)
Record: 2-3
The Vikings’ defense is elite but Aaron Rodgers looked B-A-D. I’m not going to throw around the six-letter word that starts with “w” for the future Pro Football Hall of Famer after five games, but he’s beginning to look the part.
17. Chicago Bears (Last week: 24)
Record: 3-2
Has Caleb Williams arrived? It sure looks like it. This could be a good offense to pair with an elite defense. However, against Carolina, it’s best not to overreact.
16. New Orleans Saints (Last week: 11)
Record: 2-2
Derek Carr looks like he’s back to being Derek Carr. Can they re-enter true contender territory with a road win over the defending champs on Monday night?
15. Green Bay Packers (Last week: 15)
Record: 3-2
With Jordan Love back, the Packers once again are a true contender but can they make up ground on the Vikings?
14. Seattle Seahawks (Last week: 13)
Record: 3-2
The smell of fraudulence is worsening by the week. Shut down Seattle’s running game and your chances of winning skyrocket.
13. San Francisco 49ers (Last week: 7)
Record: 2-3
A 10-point lead entering the fourth quarter? What could go wrong? Oh yeah, everything. Another inexcusable loss. They’ve reached their quota for the season. This team reeks of a Super Bowl hangover.
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Last week: 12)
Record: 3-2
If the season ended today, Baker Mayfield would be an MVP finalist. What a wild thought that would have been two years ago. A tough loss to a good team but had that Bucky Irving fumble not happened …
11. Atlanta Falcons (Last week: 17)
Record: 3-2
Kirk Cousins threw for how many yards?! As impressive as this offense looks I still have no idea what they’re doing with Bijan Robinson. Throwing the ball 50-plus times a game is not sustainable but for now, something is cooking in the ATL.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers (Last week: 10)
Record: 3-2
The Steelers are going to lead the league in gross, gritty games this season. Most of which should result in wins but sometimes your offense just needs to do more.
9. Dallas Cowboys (Last week: 9)
Record: 3-2
Rico Dowdle is the answer on the ground. They finally have seen the light. Dak Prescott? Well, he was blinded by it. Until he delivered in the clutch. Man was that an ugly win.
8. Washington Commanders (Last week: 16)
Record: 4-1
Jayden Daniels not only is the leading candidate for Offensive Rookie of the Year but he might be the leading candidate for MVP which is absolutely absurd for a rookie quarterback through five weeks. He truly is something special.
7. Philadelphia Eagles (Last week: 8)
Record: 2-2 (Bye week)
The defense might be as big of a liability as last season but the offense has the pieces to keep pace with anyone if healthy.
6. Buffalo Bills (Last week: 4)
Record: 3-2
Josh Allen looked human and when Josh Allen looks this human it likely will result in a loss. It’s impossible to be Superman every week.
5. Baltimore Ravens (Last week: 6)
Record: 3-2
Lamar Jackson looked like Lamar Jackson but the Jekyll and Hyde’ing of this defense at home vs. on the road is concerning. All hail the King of the North, Derrick Henry.
4. Houston Texans (Last week: 5)
Record: 4-1
Joe Mixon hurry back because C.J. Stroud can’t continue to do it all himself … Or can he?
3. Detroit Lions (Last week: 3)
Record: 3-1 (Bye week)
Jared Goff and the offense are firing on all cylinders but can the defense hold strong for four quarters? Another big test in Week 6 against Dallas.
2. Minnesota Vikings (Last week: 2)
Record: 5-0
Sam Darnold looked bad, the running game was ineffective and yet they still won thanks to that defense. Darnold is regressing to the mean but it’s not proving to be detrimental … yet.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (Last week: 1)
Record: 4-0
I don’t know what sort of voodoo magic they’re performing on Rashee Rice’s knee but it seems they at least will be without him for the foreseeable future. Can Patrick Mahomes and Co. muster up enough offense?
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THE STORY: SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Two diving interceptions and a kick from a guy who had just signed.
The Cardinals somehow used that to upset the 49ers, 24-23, Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.
Chad Ryland, signed to the practice squad this week because veteran Matt Prater had soreness in his left knee, booted a 35-yard field goal with 1:37 left to give the Cardinals (2-3) the lead that never felt like it was coming.
The Cardinals weren’t the only ones having kicker issues. The 49ers lost Jake Moody earlier in the game with a badly sprained ankle, meaning they needed to use their punter as a backup. But it didn’t matter. Linebacker Kyzir White made a diving pick of a tipped Brock Purdy pass to seal the win.
Earlier in the game, linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. made a diving interception himself to short-circuit what looked like a 49ers TD drive.
Much more to come on azcardinals.com.
The San Francisco 49ers got some good injury news for two of their best players, and both are expected to play against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 5.
Multiple reports from ESPN’s Adam Schefter indicate TE George Kittle and LB Fred Warner will both play despite being questionable.
“49ers TE George Kittle, listed as questionable for Sunday due to a rib injury, is expected to play vs. the Cardinals, per source.”
“49ers LB Fred Warner, listed as questionable for Sunday due to a sprained ankle, is expected to play vs. the Cardinals, per source.”
Kittle did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday before being limited on Friday with his rib issue. He’s already missed one game this season.
Warner saw the same fate as Kittle during the week in terms of not practicing the first two days before returning on Friday thanks to a sprained ankle suffered in the second quarter of last week’s matchup for the 49ers.
Prior to that, Warner played nearly every defensive snap for San Francisco.
You don’t have to tell Kyler Murray how good Warner is:
“Fred’s elite. I’ve been on the field with him for a while now, so I look forward to every opportunity I get to play against him,” said Murray previously this week.
“When you play against the greats – and he’ll go down as one of the best ever – you cherish those moments, and you go after it. I’m not shying away from him by any means, but he’s a great player.”
Both Kittle and Warner are essential pieces to both sides of the ball in San Francisco, and despite carrying serious potential to miss Week 5, the 49ers will see both stars suit up.
Make sure to bookmark Cardinals On SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more.
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