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4 Takeaways From the San Francisco 49ers  28-25 win vs. Cardinals

There were three takeaways from the San Francisco 49ers win over the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday Night Football. Our Maverick Pallack details what those takeaways were.

Maverick Pallack

4 Takeaways From the San Francisco 49ers  28-25 win vs. Cardinals
4 Takeaways From the San Francisco 49ers  28-25 win vs. Cardinals /

On a short week, the San Francisco 49ers were able to edge out the division rival Arizona Cardinals 28-25, moving to 8-0 on the season on Thursday. Despite a late push from Arizona, the 49ers were able to defeat the Cardinals with a clutch third down conversion from quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and tight end Ross Dwelley.

Garoppolo threw for 317 yards and four touchdowns to end the 49ers’ eight-game skid against the Cardinals. He is easily the main reason the 49ers were able to escape Glendale with a win to remain undefeated. The 49ers were tested the most in this game over any other game played this season. So what is there to takeaway from this game?

Here are three takeaways from the San Francisco 49ers 28-25 win over the Arizona Cardinals.

Not Just a Game Manager

Jimmy Garoppolo had his best game of the season by far, passing 300+ yards for the first time this season. He wasn’t facing the stiffest competition in the Cardinals, but he was still able to do a lot more than most would expect heading into a short week. Just four days ago, the 49ers were able to rush for five touchdowns against the Panthers. With little time to prepare for the Cardinals, a run-focused offense was more than likely expected for the 49ers. 

Yet, head coach Kyle Shanahan is never one to be average. In weeks past, no one would have considered that the 49ers would pass in a short yardage situation. In Thursday night’s win over Arizona, the 49ers made it a point to go through the air, especially on third and short. On 17 third down plays, the 49ers called 14 pass plays, converting on 11 of their 17 attempts (one conversion was a defensive pass interference).

It’s hard to argue with that success. In fact, three of their touchdowns came via the air on third down, and the fourth came on a fourth-and-1 pass to Emmanuel Sanders before the half. The 49ers also had huge conversions to Sanders, George Kittle, Ross Dwelley and Deebo Samuel to extend drives.  Quite possibly the biggest throw came with 4:37 left in the game.  The Cardinals had fought back to bring their deficit to three and immediately forced a 3rd-and-11. 

An incompletion would not just force the 49ers to punt, it would stop the clock. A scared team would have played it safe and ran a draw to keep the clock running, but Shanahan put his faith in his quarterback.  Garoppolo dropped back and fired a perfect throw to the middle of the field, finding Sanders for a clutch 16-yard first down. The play not only kept the ball away from Arizona, it allowed the 49ers to extend their drive and eventually burn the clock after another two conversions.

Kittle and Baker Battle For the Belt

Friday Night Smackdown might air on Fox later today, but Thursday Night Football had quite the show. Arizona defensive back Budda Baker drew Pro Bowl San Francisco tight end George Kittle as a matchup, and the two did not fail to entertain. The fight almost ended before it began when Kittle exited the first drive after taking a Chandler Jones helmet to the knee.

Miraculously, Kittle returned the next drive and was immediately targeted on a 3rd-and-2. Baker won the first round as he deflected the pass to force a punt.The third drive saw another win by Baker as he broke up a deep pass intended for Kittle. Three plays later, Kittle got his payback. He quickly disposed of Baker at the line, caught a quick third down pass at the 20 yard line, and then stiff-armed Baker to score his first touchdown in four games.

On the final drive before the half, Kittle was able to catch a big third down pass and carry Baker past the first down line to extend the drive. The two didn’t have any more high-profile matchups in the second half, but Baker did make his presence known with his 13 tackles, two tackles-for-loss and three pass deflections. Despite a very entertaining battle, Kittle ultimately earned the belt with that first-half touchdown and 79 receiving yards.

Sanders Continues to Shine

After catching his first touchdown as a 49er in his debut last week, wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders continued his strong start with his new team. The former Denver Bronco had his way with the Cardinals’ defense with seven catches for 112 yards and a touchdown. Sanders is quickly proving his reliability on both third down and in the red zone. 

His 4th-and-1 touchdown catch and his late fourth quarter 3rd-and-11 first down catch were probably the two most important plays of the game. Originally there was some apprehension with Sanders due to his lackluster numbers prior to the trade, but the move has seemingly reinvigorated the veteran. His two touchdowns in two games for the 49ers equals the total he had through seven games with Denver.

The struggles in recent years for Sanders are very likely the result of the stagnant Broncos’ offense. With his inception into an offense with a more than capable quarterback (Garoppolo) and one of the game’s top offensive minds (Shanahan), expect Sanders’ production to continue to rise.

The Defense’s First Blip

For the first time all season, it could be argued the 49ers’ defense was outplayed. Prior to Thursday, they led the NFL in yards per game (224.4) and pass yards per game (128.7). Against the Cardinals, the 49ers surrendered 357 total yards. On Thursday night, Arizona was able to attack San Francisco on the ground and through the air.

Nick Bosa and the 49ers’ pass rush were limited to three sacks and five TFLs, thanks to the Cardinals’ surprising success in blocking, paired with quarterback Kyler Murray’s ability to evade pressure with his speed. Murray also found success through the air. Although 88 of his 241 passing yards came on a late, busted-coverage touchdown pass to Andy Isabella, Murray still performed well against a strong defense.

Isabella’s catch showed the 49ers they are human. Emmanuel Moseley got beat on a sideline throw, and after Isabella made Richard Sherman miss, was off to the races. His 4.31 40-yard dash at the combine was apparent as he outran Jimmie Ward and Jaquiski Tartt for the touchdown. The 49ers’ run defense did not have a good day. 

Newly-acquired running back Kenyan Drake was able to gash the Niners for 110 rushing yards, 52 receiving yards and a touchdown. It should be known that linebacker Kwon Alexander was injured and did not finish the game. If he misses time, Dre Greenlaw and Azeez Al-Shaair will have big shoes to fill. Fortunately for the 49ers, they have plenty of time (10 days) to prepare for their next opponent, the Seattle Seahawks

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Maverick Pallack
MAVERICK PALLACK

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