Courtesy of Kym Fortino/49ers
SANTA CLARA — The battle between the Cardinals and 49ers at Levi's Stadium today was as intense as the scorching heat.
The San Francisco 49ers blew a 13-point lead as the Arizona Cardinals forced three second-half turnovers, securing a 24-23 comeback win on a blistering Sunday afternoon.
It was 91 degrees at kickoff, and the temperature soared to 103 just before 3:00 p.m. Fans on the east side of Levi’s Stadium endured excruciating heat throughout the game.
Arizona struck early. On their first possession, quarterback Kyler Murray needed just two plays to put the Cardinals on the scoreboard, racing 50 yards down the right sideline on a quarterback keeper for his first rushing touchdown of the season.
San Francisco responded on the next drive. Quarterback Brock Purdy connected with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who had his best game of the season, on a 53-yard reception down the right sideline. However, the Cardinals' defense held strong, limiting the 49ers to a 28-yard field goal by Jake Moody.
Purdy led the Niners on a methodical drive on their next possession. He found tight end George Kittle over the middle for a five-yard touchdown, capping off a 76-yard, 13-play drive that lasted 7:11.
After both teams traded field goals, San Francisco's special teams made a game-changing play. Jordan Elliott blocked Chad Ryland's 45-yard field goal attempt, and Deommodore Lenoir returned it 61 yards for a touchdown, giving the 49ers a 20-10 lead.
However, on the ensuing kickoff, Moody suffered a high ankle sprain while attempting a tackle, sidelining him for the rest of the game—an absence that would prove costly.
Despite the injury to their kicker, San Francisco's defense dominated the first half. Nick Bosa intercepted a screen pass intended for running back James Conner and returned it 30 yards, setting the 49ers' offense up at the Arizona 40-yard line. Once again, though, the Cardinals' defense held firm, and punter Mitch Wishnowsky was called on to kick a 26-yard field goal, extending the 49ers’ lead to 23-10 at halftime.
What could have been a back-breaking moment for Arizona, as San Francisco threatened to extend its lead, turned into an opportunity for momentum. The Cardinals went into the locker room still within striking distance.
“We’re extremely frustrated,” said 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan. “We had a 13-point lead, and there’s no reason we should let that slip away. It always comes back to turnovers, in my opinion. We talked about it last night, how critical turnovers would be, and that’s exactly what the first half was—a huge advantage for us. But then it flipped in the second half, and when that happens, it’s hard to win.”
Arizona’s defense stepped up in the second half. On San Francisco’s first possession, Mac Wilson intercepted a tipped ball at the line of scrimmage, and the Cardinals capitalized with a 45-yard field goal from Ryland.
The 49ers, forced to go for it on 4th-and-23 from the Arizona 27-yard line due to Moody’s injury, turned the ball over on downs. Murray then led a 12-play, 73-yard drive, finishing with a two-yard touchdown pass to Elijah Higgins. Running back James Conner converted the two-point attempt, narrowing the 49ers’ lead to 23-21.
San Francisco’s final two drives were marred by turnovers. Running back Jordan Mason fumbled during a four-yard loss, with Jesse Luketa recovering the ball at the 49ers’ nine-yard line.
Conner carried the load on Arizona’s ensuing drive, rushing for most of the 75 yards that set up Ryland’s go-ahead 35-yard field goal with 1:37 remaining in the game.
Arizona sealed the victory when Purdy’s pass was tipped at the line of scrimmage and intercepted for the second time, with Kazir White securing the ball with 1:16 left. The win marked the Cardinals’ second victory of the season.
Murray finished the day 19 of 30 for 195 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. Conner led Arizona with 86 rushing yards on 19 carries, while Michael Wilson Jr. was the team’s top receiver with five catches for 78 yards.
“The guys fought for 60 minutes,” Murray said. “This league is tough, and I was frustrated with how we played in the first half. But for us to fight back and win on the road against a great team is huge.”
Purdy completed 19 of 35 passes for 244 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions. Mason led all rushers with 89 yards on 14 carries. Aiyuk topped all receivers with eight catches for 147 yards, while Kittle contributed eight catches for 64 yards and a touchdown.
San Francisco doesn’t have much time to dwell on the loss, as they face another NFC West battle against the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday at 5:15 p.m. Both teams are coming off tough home losses and will be looking to rebound with first place in the division on the line.
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