Cardinals @ 49ers
Final Score: 49ers 35, Cardinals 16
Writer: Justin Herrera (@semtexmex93 on Twitter)
The Arizona Cardinals came into Levi’s Stadium coming off the biggest upset of the year and looking to pull off another. The betting people had the game at -14 for the 49ers and for most of the game that was pretty accurate. The Niners got off to an early start and were pummelling the Cardinals 21-3 before the Cardinals scored 13 unanswered. Going into the fourth it was a game, but the 49ers were able to get back to their first-half form and put up 14 points. This was a big day for Christian McCaffrey who scored four touchdowns but also broke a team record for consecutive games with a TD (13). The 49ers took the lead and never let up, putting away the feisty Arizona Cardinals and setting up for their big showdown with Dallas next week.
Three Up
- Christian McCaffrey – Broke Jerry Rice’s record!
- Brock Purdy – Had more touchdowns (2) than incompletions (1).
- Brandon Aiyuk – Caught all six of his targets while averaging 24.7 ypc.
One Down
- James Conner – Didn’t get enough usage and instigated a scuffle post-game with Talonoa Hufanga
Arizona Cardinals
Quarterback
Joshua Dobbs: 28/41, 265 yards, 2 TD | 12 carries, 48 yards
Joshua Dobbs is a good football player. He had the right amount of athleticism to escape the four-man front that the Niners unleashed. The defense logged seven QB hits but was only able to officially bring him down for one sack late in the 4th. Otherwise, Dobbs was getting that ball out to his guys pretty easily against this stout defense. Dobbs ran the ball for 48 yards and made an early 4th down conversion to help lead the team to its first points. The Cards QB helped Arizona stay in the game with two touchdowns to rookie Michael Wilson, placing two nice passes in where only his receiver could get it. The best feat of the day was Dobbs leading the Cardinals on a 99-yard drive that resulted in a touchdown, the first that the 49ers have allowed since 2002. Dobbs looked good throughout the game and overall has been a fine interim QB for a team that we all thought was tanking.
Notes
- Dobbs might actually be better than five to ten starting QBs in the NFL.
- I’d like to see the Jets inquire about him.
It's one thing to lead a 99-yard TD drive, but it's another to do it against the #49ers defense.
Josh Dobbs and Jonathan Gannon have played teams tough all season. No way they'll end up with Caleb Williams like many thought they will during pre-season.pic.twitter.com/Nh46inCwo3
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 1, 2023
Running Back
James Conner: 11 carries, 52 yards | 2 targets, 1 reception, 4 yards
James Conner wasn’t ineffective this week, the Cardinals were just trailing the entire game. The gamescript went away from the run early and never really came back. When Conner got the ball he ran with intensity and without regard for others’ well-being. Conner was also trying to get into fights all game long and fulfilled that desire after the final whistle when he pushed Talanoa Hufanga.
Notes
- The Cardinals should always keep Conner involved in the game plan.
Emari Demarcado: 1 carry, 3 yards | 4 targets, 3 receptions, 31 yards
Ezekiel Turner: 1 carry, 2 yards
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Marquise Brown: 10 targets, 7 receptions, 96 yards
Marquise Brown used his speed to separate from defenders and get over the top of underneath defenses. The biggest play for Brown was a 41-yard post. Brown was held to three receptions in the first half for 23 yards. He then went off for 73 yards in the second half. Brown’s biggest help to the offense was running crossers and slants in order to help give Dobbs a safety valve underneath. They weren’t able to get in the endzone but Brown has drawn up a strong connection with Dobbs which should save his rest of season fantasy value.
Notes
- Brown needs to get more opportunities in the red zone.
Michael Wilson: 7 targets, 7 receptions, 76 yards, 2 TDs
Michael Wilson scored 26.6 PPR points against the San Francisco 49ers in his 4th career game
— Jeff Bell (@4WhomJBellTolls) October 1, 2023
Michael Wilson had himself a game this week catching all seven of his targets for 76 yards and 2 touchdowns. He caught his first career touchdown pass by finding a hole in the zone after outpacing Ambry Thomas on the previous play for a 33-yard catch. Wilson would collect his second TD on a slant route where he was double-covered. Overall just an impressive day for the rookie. The Cards may have found their DeAndre Hopkins replacement in Wilson.
Missed Opportunities
- Wilson was consistently beating coverages and should’ve been targeted heavily from the beginning.
Zach Ertz : 10 targets, 6 receptions, 53 yards
Zach Ertz had 10 targets in the game and caught six of them for 53 yards. Ertz was late to the party, as he got 5 of his ten targets and four of six receptions on the Cardinals’ last two drives. The game was seemingly out of reach when Arizona decided to start using Ertz better. He did lose out on a touchdown by letting a pass go through his hands on fourth down.
Missed Opportunities
- Blocked a lot early on in the game and didn’t get a majority of his targets until the game was well out of reach.
Zach Pascal: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 10 yards
Trey McBride: 1 target, 1 reception, 5 yards
San Francisco 49ers
Quarterback
Brock Purdy: 20/21, 283 yards, 1 TD | 2 carries, TD
Brock Purdy was absolutely fantastic against the Cardinals in Week 4. You know it’s been a good day when your QB has more touchdowns (2) than incompletions. That’s right, Purdy threw 283 yards and a touchdown while completing 20 of 21 passes. Purdy was calm and composed while facing a not-so-blitz-heavy front this week. He also got top receiver Brandon Aiyuk back this week and showed his willingness to stretch the field. Last week was all about Deebo and the YAC game, this week we saw Purdy to Aiyuk go for 46, 34, and 20-yard passes. By no means will this be the push for Purdy to become a deep ball passer, but it’s good to see him feel comfortable stretching the field when needed. Overall Brock was the point guard that everyone has come to expect and is continuing to show the league what he can do on a regular basis.
Notes
- Good to see Aiyuk back, Purdy is comfortable going deep to number 11.
- Still undefeated when he starts and finishes a game.
Missed Opportunities
- None
Running Back
Christian McCaffrey: 20 carries, 106 yards, 3 TDs | 8 targets, 7 receptions, 71 yards, TD
Christian McCaffrey is unreal. This guy not only officially broke Jerry Rice’s record for consecutive games with a TD (12). CMC also decided to have an absolute day against the Cards, with 28 touches, 177 yards, and four touchdowns. His longest carry of the day was technically a swing pass that he took to the house for 18 yards, hurdling a defender on his way to his second TD. McCaffrey averaged 5.3 yards-per-carry and wasn’t breaking off monster runs, he was brutalizing the Cards with the short gains. Finding the hole and catching big-time passes to extend drives, are all the things we’ve come accustomed to with CMC.
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
Notes
- He literally dominated the short and intermediate game for the 49ers.
Missed Opportunities
- Could have had a 5th touchdown at the end…thanks Purdy!
Jordan Mason: 3 carries, 10 yards | 1 target, 1 reception, 13 yards,
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Brandon Aiyuk: 6 targets, 6 receptions, 148 yards
Brandon Aiyuk missed Week 3 with a shoulder injury. He came back in Week 4 and looked like the best wide receiver in the league. His route running has propelled him into that upper echelon, this week he was consistently finding the holes in zone coverage. He overextended to catch a 42-yard pass in double coverage. Aiyuk was all over the field and showed us what this offense can look like when they can stretch the field. The answer is…near unstoppable.
Notes
- Consistently beat double coverage.
- Purdy to Aiyuk is the deep ball connection the 49ers need.
What a catch by Brandon Aiyuk! pic.twitter.com/qvjd3IFSXn
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) October 1, 2023
Ray Ray McCloud: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 22 yards
Willie Snead IV: 1 targets, 1 reception, 9 yards
George Kittle: 1 target, 1 reception, 9 yards
George Kittle only caught one pass this week, but it wasn’t necessary so they kept him as a blocker/decoy.
Ronnie Bell: 1 target, 1 reception, 7 yards
Kyle Juszczyk: 1 target, 1 reception, 4 yards
Deebo Samuel: 3 carries, 6 yards
Deebo’s lack of involvement was mostly due to his injury status and the return of Aiyuk to the lineup. He did lead the way on CMC’s second touchdown, making a big block downfield.