Things in Santa Clara are not great. After taking a 15-3 point lead into the 4th quarter against the now 2-6 Arizona Cardinals, the San Francisco 49ers could not hold on and they leave Glendale 1-7, after the 18-15 loss.
It’s worth noting that the Cardinals only two wins have come against the Niners.
“It’s a little frustrating,” said cornerback Richard Sherman. “I think it would be embarrassing if guys weren’t out there playing as hard as they could…Defensively, guys are putting their best foot forward, playing as hard as they can. We’re playing against other NFL guys, playing against a Hall of Fame receiver in Larry [Fitzgerald]…We’ve got to find a way to make more plays…We’re getting there. We’ve just got to keep, keep, keep it on.”
The Fourth Quarter
Cardinals rookie quarterback Josh Rosen led the fourth-quarter comeback with two touchdown passes. The first came on a six play, 75 yard drive that ended in a 13-yard TD to Fitzgerald.
The second was a nine-yarder to Christian Kirk that was capped off with a successful two-point conversion to Fitzgerald. Game over.
Rosen finished the day 23-of-40 for 252 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
C.J. Beathard
The 49ers took a 5-3 lead into the half, scoring on a safety and a field goal. Beathard was 4-of-9 for 39 yards in the first half, but things got better in the third quarter when he connected with wide receiver Marquise Goodwin for a 55-yard touchdown. They added a field goal in final quarter but it wasn’t enough.
“We didn’t score enough points and our defense gave us a very good chance to win getting us those…turnovers, getting us that 12-point lead,” head coach Kyle Shanahan said. “[We] didn’t capitalize on them enough with touchdowns, and then we didn’t make the plays at the end when we needed to.”
Beathard looked out of sorts the entire game. In his previous four starts, he committed 10 turnovers and was sacked 14 times, which can take its toll. Beathard finished 14-of-28 for 190 yards and a touchdown. He was sacked four times today, with three coming on the 49ers first three possessions of the game.
“[Beathard] did a good job of not turning the ball over, but no one of offense had a very good day,” Shanahan said.
Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne had one of the better days on the team with seven receptions for 71 yards, while making some key plays.
Losing Is Hard
The 49ers have now lost six straight games, which is not a fun place to be. And they have a short week with the 1-6 Oakland Raiders coming to Levi’s Stadium for Thursday Night Football.
“It’s tough, guys are really hurting in there, and they should be,” Shanahan said. “If they weren’t, something’s wrong with them, but it’s our job; it’s what we do; it’s our livelihood. We’re not happy at all with where the season has gone and there’s still half a season left to play. So, we need to step it up and we need to do something about it…I’m going to continue coaching them, trying to get us better in every aspect. I know our guys are working to get better, but we weren’t good enough today. Thursday can’t come quick enough.”
With eight games left in the season, the 49ers can’t give up yet.
“I’m going to care forever because I love football,” Bourne said. “But I think that’s where guys lose it…They start to not care. We’re not going to the playoffs, stuff like that…It’s just finding what keeps you going, keeps you driving…”
Notes
- With the NFL’s trade deadline coming Tuesday, Shanahan confirmed that the 49ers have heard from teams who are interested in wide receiver Pierre Garçon and he said they are keeping Garçon in the loop.
- After losing the turnover battle 15-0 the last three games, the 49ers won it 2-0 today. It didn’t matter but it’s progress.
- The injuries continue to pile up. Reuben Foster (hamstring), Antone Exum, Jr. (concussion), and Jaqusiki Tartt (shoulder) all left the game and did not return.