Gameday Live Blog Week 11: Cardinals vs. 49ers
Week 11 has arrived, which means the San Francisco 49ers have a shot to jump back in the winning column. Last week, the 49ers suffered their first loss of the season in the closing seconds of overtime. A turnaround against the Arizona Cardinals at home is just what they need. However, this will be a much tougher matchup than most think. Both of these teams just played each other less than three weeks ago, so the familiarity is strong.
Not much will have changed within three weeks for these two other than different players being injured. This is a game that will give the Cardinals a decent chance of pulling an upset. The key to this game is keeping Jimmy Garoppolo upright and the wide receivers must not have butter fingers again. If they can clean up the errors from last week, they should come out with a win today.
We have you covered for today's afternoon game at Levi's Stadium with updates and analysis. Join the conversation and give us your thoughts while this game plays out.
49ers inactives
Azeez Al-Shaair LB
C.J. Beathard QB
Matt Breida RB
Robbie Gould K
D.J. Jones DT
George Kittle TE
Joe Staley T
(via NFL.com)
Cardinals inactives
Tramaine Brock DB
Jonathan Bullard DE
Damiere Byrd WR
Chase Edmonds RB
Lamont Gaillard C
Joshua Miles OT
Zach Zenner RB
(via NFL.com)
1st Quarter
11:56- San Francisco forces a punt on the opening drive. Cardinals moved the ball well on outside runs, but the 49ers defense holds. Arizona is challenging for pass interference on Richard Sherman. Call overturned Arizona ball at the San Francisco 3.
10:35- Cardinals field goal attempt is good. Arizona leads 3-0 after the opening possession. Outside runs and pass interference on Sherman were the story of the drive.
4:04- Arizona converts on 3rd and long to get into the red zone and Murray connects with Fitzgerald for a touchdown. 49ers defense is struggling with the Cardinals spread offense. AZ leads 9-0 after the missed PAT.
2:37- 49ers fail to convert on 4th and 5. The team looks like the short week is getting to them.
1:17- San Francisco's defense forces a 3 and out. The failed fourth-down conversion doesn't hurt.
2nd Quarter
9:03- Murray passes to Cooper for a 5-yard touchdown. Cardinals lead 16-0 and are outgaining the 49ers 165 to 2.
8:51- Garoppolo screen pass to James goes for 57 yards and San Francisco is finally threatening to score.
7:52- Garoppolo throws a rope to Dwelley for a 4-yard touchdown! The offense looks like it has woken up and the 49ers trail 16-7.
0:00- 49ers drive the ball well with the passing game, but a big holding penalty wipes away a touchdown and San Francisco settles for a field goal. Arizona leads 16-10 at the break.
Key First Half Stats
-Kyler Murray 15-21 passing for 108 yards and 2 TDs, and 7 carries for 45 yards.
-Time of possession: Arizona 19:10 and San Francisco 10:50
-3 out of 5 Cardinals possessions resulted in a red zone trip (2-3 for TDs).
-49ers 12 rushing yards and 0 first downs on the ground
-Garoppolo 8-15 for 121 and one touchdown.
-San Francisco 2-7 on 3rd and 4th down conversions.
3rd Quarter
11:07- Garoppolo pass to Dwelley for the tight end's second score of the game. 49ers passing game is thriving and the team looks ready to take control of the game. San Francisco leads 17-16.
5:19- San Francisco's offense was driving but Garoppolo throws an interception that's returned to the 49ers 47. The momentum swings back to the Cardinals.
2:54- Arizona turns the pick into points. Cardinals' field goal gives them a 19-17 lead.
49ers are driving to close out the quarter. They need to put points on the board and start to finish the game.
4th Quarter
12:14- Garoppolo tosses his third touchdown of the game with a 2-yard strike to Bourne. San Francisco goes for two put the attempt fails. The offense holds up their end of the bargain, now it's time for the defense to follow suit. 49ers lead 23-19.
6:30- The back and forth continues as Murray runs for a 22-yard touchdown. Can Garoppolo and the offense respond? Cardinals take the lead back 26-23.
4:33- Garoppolo misses high and away frow Dwelley who tips it to an Arizona defender. Play is under review but if it holds, the Cardinals take over at their own 25. Biggest possession of the game upcoming for the 49ers defense. Play is upheld.
2:12- Armstead with a huge sack on 3rd down. The 49ers defense delivers and the offense takes over at their own 35.
1:05- 49ers offense is driving. 2nd and 10 from Arizona's 35.
0:39- 1st and 10 from the Cardinals 26. Well within McLaughlin's range, if the game comes to that.
0:31- Garoppolo checks it down to Wilson for a 25-yard touchdown! Jimmy G's fourth of the day! 49ers lead 30-26.
0:25- Tartt recovers Johnson's fumble and that should just about do it. San Francisco wins another close one against Arizona, 30-26. The Red and Gold are now 9-1 and lead the NFC West by a game.
0:00- Cardinals attempt to replicate "The Play" and San Francisco picks up a fumble for a touchdown. 49ers win 36-26, the last play could be significant to some.
