San Francisco 49ers @ Arizona Cardinals Week 18 Live Blog

This will be updated frequently with information and analysis from the pressbox.

Jul 20, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Aerial overall view of State Farm Stadium the home of the NFL Arizona Cardinals. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Glendale, AZ -- This is the live blog for the 49ers' Week 18 road game against the Arizona Cardinals. This will be updated frequently with information and analysis from the pressbox.

12:56 Here are the 49ers' inactives:

QB Brock Purdy
WR Deebo Samuel
CB Tre Avery
DL Khalil Davis
CB Deommodore Lenoir
RB Israel Abanikanda
DE Robert Beal Jr.

12:58 Here are the Cardinals' inactives:

WR Michael Wilson
S Jammie Robinson
LB Vi Jones
LB Victor Dimukeje
LB Benton Whitley
OL Luke Tenuta
TE Travis Vokolek

1:00 It's fair to wonder if Deebo Samuel has played in his final game with the 49ers. Next season, he probably would be no higher than fourth on the wide receiver depth chart behind Jauan Jennings, Ricky Pearsall and Brandon Aiyuk. In fact, at this stage of Samuel's career, you could argue that he isn't even a wide receiver anymore, because he can't beat starting NFL cornerbacks. He's more of a running back and a kick returner at this point. Unfortunately for the 49ers, they pay Samuel to be a no. 1 wide receiver. So I expect they'll ask him to take a significant pay cut in a few months. Will Samuel take it? I don't believe his ego will allow him to. Instead, he probably will request his release and sign with a team that doesn't realize just how washed up he truly is. If only the 49ers had traded him this past offseason, they probably could have gotten a nice draft pick in return. Now, they'll get nothing but a fat dead-cap hit.

2:23 The Cardinals win the toss and choose to defer. The 49ers will receive the opening kickoff.

FIRST QUARTER

2:30 On 2nd and 7 from the Cardinals 35, Isaac Guerendo rushes up the middle for two yards and injures his leg. He leaves the field on a cart.

2:32 On 3rd and 5 from the Cardinals 33, Joshua Dobbs sails a pass over George Kittle who was running a corner route. Next play, Jake Moody drills a low-line-drive field goal from 51 yards out.

49ers 3, Cardinals 0.

2:37 On 3rd and 5 from the Cardinals 46, Nick Sorensen blitzes Fred Warner and the Cardinals don't block him, so Kyler Murray has to throw the ball away. Nice play call by Sorensen, who might be coaching for his job today. After the punt, the 49ers take over at their 8.

2:52 On 3rd and 14 from the Cardinals 29, Joshua Dobbs throws a one-hopper intended for Jauan Jennings. Next play, Jake Moody misses a 47-yard field goal wide left. Imagine how many wins the 49ers would have right now if they had a different kicker.

2:59 On 3rd an 9 from the 49ers' 34, Kyler Murray scrambles away from pressure and throws the ball away. Next play, the Cardinals make a 51-yard field goal.

49ers 3, Cardinals 3.

3:05 On 1st and 10 from the 49ers' 45, Joshua Dobba gets intercepted by Sean Murphy-Bunting while trying to force a pass downfield to Jauan Jennings.

SECOND QUARTER

3:13 On 3rd and 8 from the 49ers' 22, Kyler Murray throws a short pass to Greg Dortch who sprints through the 49ers defense and scores. Dobbs' interception costs the 49ers seven points.

49ers 3, Cardinals 10.

3:17 On 3rd and 5 from the 49ers' 35, Dobbs completes a 4-yard pass to Jauan Jennings while Ricky Pearsall was wide open downfield. Dobbs is forcing the ball to Dobbs because he's close to 1,000 yards for the season. Yuck. After the punt, the Cardinals take over at their 18.

3:23 On 3rd and 1 from the Cardinals 27, Dee Winters stops Michael Carter for no gain. Imagine if Winters had been playing in place of De'Vondre Campbell all season. The 49ers might actually have a winning record. After the punt, the 49ers take over at their 26.

3:31 Jauan Jennings gets himself thrown out of the game after committing personal fouls on back-to-back plays. He was 25 yards away from 1,000. Pity.

3:35 On 3rd and goal from the 1, Dobbs attempts a quarterback sneak and scores.

49ers 10, Cardinals 10.

3:48 On 1st and goal from the 2, Fred Warner gives up a touchdown catch to tight end Trey McBride. That was easy for Arizona. Warner was in man to man coverage and simply got beaten.

49ers 10, Cardinals 17.

3:56 On 2nd and goal from the 6, Dobbs throws a beautiful pass over the middle to Ricky Pearsall, who makes the touchdown catch while covered tightly. Beautiful play.

49ers 17, Cardinals 17.

4:02 The Cardinals get the ball back with just 16 seconds left, but Nick Sorensen calls some weak prevent defense and immediately gives up a 25-yard catch over the middle. The Cardinals make a 49-yard field goal as the half expires. They'll get the ball to start the third quarter.

49ers 17, Cardinals 20.

THIRD QUARTER

4:18 On 3rd and 2 from the Cardinals 38, Trey McBride drops a pass, then Arizona punts. The 49ers will take over at their 24.

4:19 Talanoa Hufanga is out with a concussion and Malik Mustapha is out with a knee injury.

4:22 On 2nd and 6 from the 49ers 28, Dobbs gets hit as he throws, which means he fumbles and the 49ers recover for a loss of 16. Then they punt two plays later. The Cardinals will take over at the 49ers 49.

4:32 On 1st and goal from the 2, Nick McCloud gives up a touchdown catch to Greg Dortch. Next play, the Cardinals go for 2 from the 1-yard line and Tashaun Gipson tackles Kyler Murray on a designed run for a loss.

49ers 17, Cardinals 26.

4:41 On 1st and 10 from the Cardinals 36, Dobbs throws a touchdown pass to a wide open Kyle Juszczyk. Dobbs is playing better against the Cardinals with backups than Brock Purdy played against them with starters this season.

49ers 24, Cardinals 26.

FOURTH QUARTER

4:54 On 2nd and goal from the 4, Michael Carter bounces to the outside and scores a touchdown. The 49ers defense is playing with no emotion or fight.

49ers 24, Cardinals 33.

5:09 On 3rd and 4 from the Cardinals 33, Ji'Ayir Brown breaks up a pass intended for Trey McBride and the Cardinals go 3 and out. After the punt, the 49ers take over at their 34.

5:20 On 1st and 10 from the 49ers' 12, Charvarius Ward gives up a touchdown catch to Marvin Harrison Jr.

49ers 24, Cardinals 40.

5:27 On 4th and 6 from the Cardinals 43, Dobbs scrambles away from pressure but throws an incomplete pass intended for Patrick Taylor Jr.

Download and follow The Cohn Zohn Podcast.