Cardinals 24-23 49ers (Oct. 6, 2024) Game Recap

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Kyler Murray's day began with a 50-yard touchdown run that had him jubilantly pointing toward the end zone almost as soon as he crossed the finish line.

He ended up driving the Arizona Cardinals into field goal position and ended up watching as his team's fill-in kicker and defense came through as a spectator.

Both delivered, with Chad Ryland kicking a 35-yard field goal with 1:37 to play and Kyzir White intercepting a pass from Brock Purdy to seal Arizona's 24-23 comeback win over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday .

“I hated it,” Murray said of the game ultimately being out of his control. “I didn’t want to give them the ball back. I was hoping we could play and finish the games on our terms. That didn't happen. Chad was great making the field goal and the defense got going.”

Murray did a lot with his touchdown run, his touchdown pass and his crucial late drive, but he also had a lot of help. James Conner ran 86 yards and scored on a 2-point conversion, Marvin Harrison Jr. made a fourth-down catch to fuel the winning drive, and the defense threw a three-takeaway shutout in the second half.

It was a big difference from a week ago, when the Cardinals (2-3) were embarrassed with a 42-14 home loss to Washington.

“We wanted to make it to the fourth quarter and have a chance to win the game, and we did that,” coach Jonathan Gannon said. “Last week was not a good performance from us. They kind of took it.”

This was the second time this season that San Francisco (2-3) blew a double-digit fourth-quarter lead to a division rival, having done so against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 3.

The Niners have lost just one division game in the last two seasons when they won NFC West titles, but are already 0-2 this year after posting double figures in the fourth quarter of the regular season and playoffs for the sixth time under coach Kyle Shanahan had lost their lead.

“We kind of melted down in the second half,” All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner said. “Too many leaks, missed tackles, not the right fit.”

Murray threw for 195 yards and a TD and added 82 yards rushing.

The 49ers missed several opportunities and scored just one touchdown on six drives that reached the end zone. The most costly fall came midway through the fourth quarter when Jordan Mason lost a fumble that Mack Wilson recovered at the 8 to keep Arizona within two points.

Murray then led the winning drive. On the key play to Harrison, Murray threw a pass under pressure that the rookie receiver recovered for a 14-yard completion into Niners territory. The Cardinals then ran five in a row, setting up the field goal from Ryland, who quickly won over his teammates after being brought in this week to replace the injured Matt Prater.

“They went crazy in the locker room,” Gannon said. “Half the guys didn’t even know him.”

Purdy went 18 for 33 for 229 yards, a touchdown and an interception for the 49ers, who only managed one offensive touchdown, with the other TD coming on a blocked field goal return.

The Cardinals started quickly, forcing a three-pointer to open the game and getting a 50-yard TD run from Murray on their second play from scrimmage.

The 49ers controlled the rest of the half, with Purdy throwing a 4-yard touchdown to George Kittle and Deommodore Lenoir returning a blocked Jordan Elliott field goal for a 61-yard score that gave San Francisco a 23-10 lead at halftime brought.

Injuries

Cardinals: RG Will Hernandez (knee) left the ball in the fourth quarter and did not return.

49ers: K Jake Moody left the game in the second quarter with a high right ankle sprain after being injured during a tackle on a kick return. P Mitch Wishnowsky hit a 26-yard FG at the end of the first half, but the Niners opted for that attack on fourth-and-23 from the 27 in the third quarter. … S. Talanoa Hufanga (wrist) also left in the first quarter.

Next

Cardinals: Host Miami on Sunday.

49ers: At Seattle on Thursday night.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl