The San Francisco 49ers are sitting pretty at 3-0 after a 36-30 win over the Arizona Cardinals, but don’t let that perfect record fool you. This team is *banged up*, and the win comes with some serious concerns about who’s even gonna be on the field next week. They built a big lead, then traded late scores, but watching that defense get worked over by the Cardinals has everyone wondering about the roster ahead.
Shanahan’s Genius Keeps the Offense Churning
Despite the injury woes, Coach Kyle Shanahan’s offensive game plan on Sunday was nothing short of brilliant. Brock Purdy threw for four touchdown passes, and the plays were dialed in. Remember that incredible 80-yard sprint from Deebo Samuel on a hook-and-ladder? That came after a short completion to Mike Evans, who actually scored his own TD later before having to exit with a rib injury. Seriously, Evans is the third wide receiver carted off in three games. It’s wild. But George Kittle’s two fourth-quarter touchdowns were huge, showing just how vital his return to health is now that Purdy’s receiving options are narrowing. Christian McCaffrey was a beast on the ground, racking up a season-high 19 total touches and a touchdown. Plus, the offensive line deserves a shout-out for keeping Purdy sack-free on the season. They put up 437 total yards on just 50 plays, averaging a crazy 8.7 yards per play!
Defense and Special Teams Are Flashing Warning Signs
Winning 36-30 is cool, but when your defense is on the field for 38:44 in a game, that’s a problem. They really struggled to stop the Cardinals in the second half, failing to create pressure and letting rookie running back Jeremiyah Love absolutely gash them for 109 total yards and a touchdown on 26 touches. Not one of those plays went for more than 8 yards, but they just couldn’t contain him! Sure, two sacks and five QB hits sound decent, but when the Cardinals ran 81 plays from scrimmage, it tells you the defensive line, only getting one sack and two hits themselves, got worn down. Fred Warner had 17 total tackles and Renardo Green added 13, but giving up 365 total yards to an offense led by a journeyman like Jacoby Brissett? That’s not a winning formula long term.
And special teams? It was sloppy. Siran Neal got hit by a Cardinals punt, leading to Arizona recovering and scoring a TD early in the fourth that made it a single-score game. Eddy Piñeiro also missed two extra points, which could have been disastrous if Arizona got another chance. Even Samuel bobbled a kickoff return. Thank goodness Piñeiro nailed a 57-yard field goal!
The 49ers might be 3-0, but with left tackle Trent Williams also forced out of action and that injury-depleted defensive line tiring, the concern over who will even be suited up in the weeks ahead is legit. This team needs to get healthy, and fast, if they want to keep this perfect record going.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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