Recap
AI summary, sourced from 1 period article (ESPN AP)
Tim Rattay threw for 417 yards and two touchdowns and the 49ers beat the Arizona Cardinals 31-28 in overtime at Candlestick Park. Eric Johnson caught 13 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown (career receiving game). Kevan Barlow ran for 34. Josh McCown threw three touchdowns for Arizona. Emmitt Smith ran for 63 with a touchdown. The 49ers improved to 1-4 with the overtime win.[1][2][3]
Columnist recap
AI summary, sourced from 1 period article (ESPN AP)
Tim Rattay went for 417 yards Sunday afternoon at Candlestick. The 49ers' returning starter, in his second start back from injury, produced his career-best NFL passing day. Eric Johnson caught 13 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown, the kind of career receiving game the tight end's coaches had been building toward. The 49ers beat the Arizona Cardinals 31-28 in overtime.
Rattay was 38-of-57 for the 417 with two touchdowns. Kevan Barlow ran for 34. Curtis Conway caught five for 78. Brandon Lloyd caught a touchdown. Josh McCown threw three touchdowns. Emmitt Smith ran for 63 with a touchdown. The kind of home overtime win where the year's identity tape, in its first win, produced the kind of football the new offensive system was designed for.
1-4. The kind of division home win that gives the year's identity tape its first credible chapter. The New York Jets on the road next Sunday in another cross-conference matchup. The kind of October where the 49ers' first win, in overtime against a divisional rival, gives the year something to point at.
By the numbers
AI summary, sourced from 1 period article (ESPN AP)
49ers 31, Cardinals 28 (OT). Margin: +3. Five-game record: 1-4, -46 differential.
* Tim Rattay: 38-of-57 for 417, 2 TDs, 0 INTs (career-best passing day).
* Kevan Barlow: 14 carries for 34.
* Eric Johnson: 13 catches for 162, 1 TD (career receiving game).
* Curtis Conway: 5 catches for 78.
* Josh McCown: 19-of-34 for 231, 3 TDs, 1 INT.
* Emmitt Smith: 16 carries for 63, 1 TD.
* 49ers 1-4 (1st win, OT); Cardinals 1-4.
Film room
AI summary, sourced from 1 period article (ESPN AP)
A 31-28 overtime home win over the Arizona Cardinals at Candlestick. Tim Rattay throws for 417 yards. Eric Johnson catches 13 for 162. The 49ers earn their first win and improve to 1-4.
How it unfolded
The 49ers scored on their opening drive with a Tim Rattay touchdown to make it 7-0. The Cardinals answered with a McCown touchdown to tie at 7-7. The 49ers added a touchdown to make it 14-7. McCown threw another touchdown to tie at 14-14. The second quarter was an Emmitt Smith touchdown to make it 21-14 Arizona. The third quarter was a 49ers Joe Nedney field goal to make it 21-17. Rattay hit Eric Johnson on a touchdown to make it 24-21. McCown threw a third touchdown to make it 28-24. The 49ers added a touchdown drive late to tie at 28-28. In overtime, Rattay led a long drive that ended in a Nedney winning field goal.
The turning point
Tim Rattay's overtime drive. With the game tied 28-28 and the 49ers needing the kind of long drive their offense had been struggling to produce all year, Rattay's complete-team possession into Nedney's range was the kind of game-day discipline the new staff has been building.
By the numbers
Rattay 417 passing on 57 attempts with two TDs and no INTs (career-best). Kevan Barlow 34 rushing on 14 carries. Eric Johnson 162 receiving on 13 catches with a TD (career-best). Conway 78 receiving on 5 catches. McCown 231 on 34 attempts with three TDs. Emmitt Smith 63 rushing with a TD.
Personnel watch
Tim Rattay's career-best 417-yard passing game. Eric Johnson's career-best 13-catch, 162-yard receiving day with a TD. Joe Nedney's overtime walk-off field goal. The kind of home overtime win where everything the year's identity tape had been trying to produce actually worked.
What it means
1-4 with the Jets on the road next Sunday. The kind of home overtime win that gives the year's first win an iconic Eric Johnson breakout game. The Tim Rattay career-best 417-yard passing game is the year's signature offensive moment.