The 49ers are heading in the wrong direction fast. They have now lost two division games to supposedly inferior teams. Both losses are frustrating. Each loss was preventable.
The Cardinals keys to success were great coverage schemes coupled with a punishing run game. The final ingredient was holding the Niners to field goals in the red zone. The Cardinal’s coverage schemes caused Brock Purdy to hold the ball. When he held the ball, the Cardinals rush would get to him causing him to leave the pocket and look for a receiver. Sometimes he connected…other times he didn’t. The lack of consistency in the pass game stunted 49ers drives.
The Cardinals defense forced three turnovers. Both of Purdy’s interceptions came off pressure. The first was a tipped ball. The second was a hit on his elbow causing the ball to pop fly. The second interception was also the last turnover of the day, sealing the Niners Sunday football fate.
Arizona forced a key fumble on Jordan Mason late in the game. It is questionable that his forward progress was not called. Irrespective of that, the ball was punched out when he was stopped. The Niners were mere yards from the end-zone. The Cardinals rode the legs of James Connor to field goal range wherein they kicked the go-ahead field goal. Had the Niners been able to score, the score would have been at least 29 to 21.
The Cardinal’s second half offensive attack centered around rushing the ball. Even though Kyler Murray ripped off a 50-yard touchdown run to start the game, the Cardinals were pass happy in the first half. In the second half they leaned on the run game which was easy to do since their defense held the 49ers offense to zero touchdowns in the second half.
The 49ers injury bug continues. Late in the second quarter, Jake Moody went in for an ill-advised tackle and suffered a game ending ankle injury. The status and severity of his injury is unknown.
The 49ers have yet to put together a complete game in all three phases. Today there was marked improvement in special teams. Jordan Elliott blocked a field goal attempt which was ran back by Deommodore Lenoir for a touchdown. Despite Jake Moody going down, the operation of special teams did not contribute to the loss.
The other bright spot today was Brandon Aiyuk’s play. He ran crisp routes. Targeted twelve times, he had eight receptions for 147 yards.
Three turnovers are the big difference in today’s game. The last two turnovers were in situations where the 49ers were poised to score. The NFL comes down to execution. The Cardinals executed better than the 49ers today.
The good news is the rest of the division is not playing well either. Seattle leads the division with three wins. The Rams are bringing up the rear with only one win while the Cardinals and the 49ers are tied with two wins and three losses. The season is young yet. The 49ers must tighten it up on a short week. The 49ers have a chance to tie the NFC West for the lead if they can defeat the Seahawks on Thursday Night Football.
