The San Francisco 49ers are quickly becoming synonymous with fireworks, the way they’ve been lighting up the scoreboard. The offense didn’t take long to get going.
Deebo Samuel opened the scoring on a hook-and-ladder from Mike Evans.
That would’ve been the fastest clocked time by a 49ers ball carrier in 2025.
After the defense recorded its second consecutive three-and-out to begin the game, the offense took over 93 yards away from the end zone.
Christian McCaffrey converted a third down, then Jordan
Watkins converted the next. Watkins was a 25-yarder. Then, just outside of the red zone, Purdy hit Evans down the right sideline, and Mike Evans didn’t tip that pass by keeping his hands low:
There are late hands, and then there’s what Evans did above.
The defense did its job for a third straight time, but Purdy and the offense punted after facing some pressure.
The Cardinals mustered multiple first downs on the ensuing drive, including an 18-yard pass where Trey McBride beat Ji’Ayir Brown. Arizona made it inside the red zone and faced a 4th-and-1.
Deommodore Lenoir had just been hit by Fred Warner and had to leave the game. His replacement, Jack Jones, allowed a slant for a first down. Lenoir was seen walking to the locker room. He was being evaluated for a concussion.
After a Fred Warner tackle for loss, the Cardinals were stuffed on 3rd-and-goal from outside the 10. Chad Ryland’s short field goal was good, to make it 14-3. A bend-but-don’t-break approach will be necessary as long as Nick Bosa is sidelined.
The 49ers took over with a little more than two minutes remaining. They’d receive the ball to begin the third quarter, so it was a prime opportunity to double up on the scoreboard.
Evans got open on a third down. That’s not surprising. What was surprising, besides Evans, were the wideouts on the field during this two-minute drill: Watkins and Jacob Cowing.
After the next third down, Evans grabbed his midsection and needed assistance from the trainers. It seemed like Evans got the wind knocked out of him.
The Cardinals moved the ball efficiently, largely thanks to a 17-yard reception from Michael Wilson. In the red zone, Gracen Halton sniffed out a screen pass for a 4-yard loss. That forced a field goal to make it 14-6.
No Evans, no problem. Purdy found Watkins wide open before the half for a 34-yard gain. The 49ers finding a way to get into field goal range with 23 seconds left sums up how explosive their offense is, regardless of who is on the field.
Eddy Pineiro nailed a 57-yard field goal, answering the Cardinals’ score to make it 17-6 heading into the half.
Purdy found Kittle for an 11-yard gain to open the half. And just like that, the 49ers were across midfield. He found Kittle on third down for another chunk play, putting the offense in the red zone. McCaffrey bounced off a tackle on the next reception, giving the Niners first-and-goal.
Evans had been ruled out with a rib injury.
You couldn’t tell by how quickly the offense scored. McCaffrey leaped over the pile, pushing the 49ers’ lead to 23-6 after Pineiro missed the extra point.
Lenoir returned to begin the third quarter. At the same time, Trent Williams was carted to the locker room with what the team called a stinger on a play during McCaffrey’s touchdown.
The Cardinals had no trouble moving the ball against a depleted defensive line. After 10 plays, Arizona found themselves in the red zone. This followed another fourth-down conversion from Brissett to Wilson. Rookie Jeremiah Love found enough daylight on third-and-four to extend the drive.
Brissett found Wilson again, this time in the end zone, to make it 23-13. To add insult to injury, Gracen Halton limped off the field on the point-after attempt. He went back to the locker room after dealing with cramps.
After a punt, the defense took the field without Renardo Green, who was in the injury tent being evaluated for a concussion. Jack Jones came in for him.
Kevin Givens had a terrific rush to force a 3rd-and-long. Lenoir jumped Marvin Harrison’s route to force a punt. But the Niners offense wouldn’t get the opportunity to step onto the field after the punt deflected off Siran Neal.
Arizona took over with a short field. On 4th-and-1, Lenoir committed pass interference in the end zone. Brissett found Love, and just like that, the score was 23-20.
Vederian Lowe remained at left tackle. Purdy found Kittle for a first down, then McCaffrey picked up 10, and the 49ers were across midfield in a blink. Kaelon Black joined the fun with a nine-yard gain. Deebo caught a swing pass, then broke a tackle, and the Niners were knocking on the door of the red zone.
KhaDarel Hodge’s first target came on third down. But a penalty on Josh Sweat gave the Niners a fresh set of downs. Kittle, on his bobblehead day, came through after beating a pass rusher in coverage. Pineiro doinked the extra point again, making the score 29-20.
After coming close on a couple of different occasions, Keion White recorded a sack. More often than not, sacks are drive killers. But Harrison beat Green, who was back in, on a deep in-breaking route. You miss Bosa’s presence most on third down.
Greenlaw was out at this point as well. He was down on the field on the drive before. Garrett Wallow was his replacement.
The Cardinals moved the ball once again. Ji’Ayir Brown nearly came up with an interception after Osa Odighizuwa tipped the ball in the air. Brissett found McBride to keep the drive alive. McBride beat Marques Sigle to the 1-yard line. A Brissett sneak made it a one-possession game: 29-27.
Gulp.
Brock Purdy had a great read where he scrambled for a touchdown, but the play was flagged for a phantom holding call. Purdy got it back on the next play when he found Kittle open downfield for a touchdown. Shanahan made a great call to go for the kill shot. That made it 36-27.
