Week 3 Recap - 49ers vs Cardinals
The San Francisco 49ers (3-0) escape with a win in a high scoring affair against the Arizona Cardinals (1-2) by a score of 36-30.
The Cardinals controlled this game, and yet when they started to mount a comeback, it was fairly surprising. The 49ers, or at least their fanbase, definitely started to clench up towards the end of this Week 3 matchup. Let's discuss.
Game Flow
Arizona started this one off with one of multiple 12 play drives, but this one went for just 32 yards, and they punted to San Francisco. And on their third play from scrimmage, we witnessed a hook and ladder from Brock Purdy to Mike Evans to Deebo Samuel, who housed it, going 80 yards. Getting the ball back six plays later, San Francisco went 93 yards, capped off by a 23 yard Mike Evans TD. An exchange of punts before Arizona had a 14 play drive end in a 26 yard FG by Chad Ryland. Both teams added a FG before the half. 17-6
The 49ers opened up the 2nd half with a TD drive capped off by a 1 yard Christian McCaffrey TD, before Arizona had a 14 play drive end in a TD, a boot to Michael Wilson. Arizona ended up recovering a muffed punt, allowing them to close the gap with a 1 yard TD to Jeremiyah Love. The next three drives were all TDs; a George Kittle reception, Jacoby Brissett sneak, and another one to Kittle. Arizona added a garbage time FG before a failed onside kick attempt. 36-30
Reviewing My Preview
I honestly nailed my "Prediction" section of my preview article. The 49ers won a somewhat close game. They upped the blitzed rate, with Raheem Morris sending an extra rusher on 27% of dropbacks. And they converted their long drives into TDs. Neither QB turned the ball over. The Cardinals overall had a positive run game, even if the numbers don't suggest so, as it put them in positive situations where they were able to convert on 3rd and 4th down. And they were forced to kick FGs in the redzone. This might be my best work.
Neither one of these teams interiors looked good. A battle of buns between the 49ers defensive interior and Cardinals interior offensive line.
The 49ers did start to hit more in-breaking routes, with Purdy even throwing to Evans a pair of times that didn't convert. Arizona's linebackers were quite concerned with Christian McCaffrey, opening up some extra opportunities over the middle.
Arizona's defensive front was solid overall, but the 49ers were able to hit enough runs to allow their offense to have what I would consider a dominant performance. The 49ers offensive line is competing, even where people may have thought to be weaknesses!
49ers Overreactions/Takeaways
A trade (or two) for defensive line help is a necessity.
With or without Nick Bosa. There are many teams to watch(LAC, HOU, WAS, IND) for who may be available at the deadline, but the 49ers need to be calling no matter which teams are selling. Nick Bosa needs a true running mate in pass rush, and this interior remains weak. I will have an article detailing D-Line trade options closer to the deadline.
Malik Mustapha should keep getting snaps.
Raheem Morris gave Malik Mustapha the entire 2nd quarter(16 snaps) at safety. One drive was alongside Marques Sigle(3-and-out) and the other was next to Ji'Ayir Brown(12 play drive, FG). I have lauded the performance of Sigle, but Brown has played well too. Mustapha would likely have a starting spot if not for his injury issues, and I like the idea of sprinkling in some snaps for him. The goal should be to find your two best safeties, and it's very possible Mustapha is one of them.
Brock Purdy is playing like a legitimate MVP candidate.
And he needs to! Purdy consistently makes those MVP type of plays, extending to the sidelines, taking off to run, he has provided whatever the offense seems to need. The 49ers need him to play at this level for them to be Super Bowl contenders, but there is no reason to think he can't at this point. The point isn't to win the MVP, but to know that Purdy can play at this level.
The 49ers have the highest offensive floor in the NFL.
This is true because of Christian McCaffrey. I did just say Purdy is an MVP candidate, but every offense needs a weapon. And the 49ers have CMC. Whether it is Mac Jones forcing 10 targets to McCaffrey every game, or Purdy taking advantage of how the defense gravitates towards him, McCaffrey's presence elevates this offense immensley. Kyle Shanahan would be lost without him, especially with the way these WRs are dropping due to injury.
The pros and cons section for this season will be mostly based on who I watched in depth on film, and I will have a weekly game film thread on my Twitter/X instead of providing cut-ups. You can find said thread here.
Let me know after each game who you want me to watch in depth after each game!
Pros
Offensive Line
Brock Purdy remains untouched. The pockets the O-Line is creating are fantastic and consistent, holding opponents to zero sacks and a league low 22.5% pressure rate. The run blocking was better in Week 3 as well, also not perfect. But the fact that the offensive lien was considered a weakness going into the season, and has turned out these performances, should be appreciated.
George Kittle
We know this. But man it feels good to watch George Kittle. He clearly outplayed Trey McBride, who many have anointed TE1 in the NFL. This game was a clear display of their differences. McBride is elite, but simply does not catch passes downfield like Kittle. He collects checkdown targets in Arizona's offense. Kittle is somehow still the superior blocker and downfield threat.
Linebackers
It is a blessing to watch Fred Warner every single week. And that may have been Dre Greenlaw's best performance since the 1st quarter of the Super Bowl. Compared to what we witnessed last season, this is incredible to watch. The run defense has not been good, but the backers, especially Warner, contribute at such a high level to limiting opponent's success. A season ago, the backers got swept up in the mess and were washed away. That is no longer the case. And rookie Jaden Dugger continues to get on the field. I really like how natural he looks when playing his zone.
Brock Purdy
The best quarterback in the NFL through 3 weeks, and it is not particularly close.
Cons
Interior defensive line
Yes, the D-Line is banged up. But that doesn't mean it isn't rough to watch. It's never good when Osa Odighizuwa and Gracen Halton, both weighing around 290lbs, are your best run defenders. They are not equipped for that role. It's too early to judge NT Naquan Jones, but he didn't exactly turn great results after one week.
Injuries
Jeez louise, man. So many guys went down. We are at the point where a 49er only missing 4 weeks feels like a win. Not sure what else to say. The defensive line and wide receiver room are already down to the 5th spots on the depth chart.
The receiver room may be decimated. We'll see if how big of a role Brandin Cooks has off the practice squad, and how much Jordan Watkins, Jacob Cowing, and KhaDarel Hodge play.
Hodge led with 28 offensive snaps, with Cowing at 17 and Watkins with 15.
Cowing's field stretching speed is nice to have out there, occupying safeties like nobody else on the 49ers can. But maybe Brandin Cooks can. Cowing also has some quick separation ability, but I'm not sure if the timing of his routes match with his quarterback. I do like the fight he shows in the run game though.
Watkins had two productive receptions and also has some speed. I also had questions about his routes, sometimes it seems like he may not run them at proper depth. By the time he breaks, the quarterback has moved on. But I cannot be sure. Watkins whiffed on a couple blocks pretty bad.
We'll see who the 49ers elect to put on the field at WR and defensive line. They have given themselves many options, and yet, does it really matter?
Injuries
49ers:
CB Deommodore Lenoir left in concussion protocol, but returned to the game.
CB Renardo Green left in concussion protocol, but returned to the game.
LB Garret Wallow left with a stinger, but returned to the game.
LB Dre Greenlaw left with a quad issue, returned, then was shut down.
WR Mike Evans left with a ribs issue and did not return.
LT Trent Williams left with a stinger and did not return.
DT Gracen Halton left with cramps and did not return.
Cardinals:
Head coach Mike LaFleur said all players who exited ended up back in the game.
The 49ers stand at 3-0, with another home game next week!
Let me know your thoughts on the game against the Cardinals, what did you like and what do the 49ers (or Cardinals!) need to do better?
Leave a comment below, or go to by Twitter/X, @GridironGoldM_!
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