Recap
AI summary, sourced from 1 period article (ESPN AP)
James Conner ran for two touchdowns and caught a 45-yard TD pass from backup quarterback Colt McCoy as the Arizona Cardinals beat the 49ers 31-17 at Levi's Stadium. Conner finished with 173 scrimmage yards. Garoppolo threw for 326 yards and two touchdowns but the Niners never got the running game going and were gashed on defense. The Cardinals' defense delivered three takeaways and five sacks, three from Markus Golden. The 49ers fell to 3-5 and are 1-8 at Levi's Stadium over two seasons.[1][2][3]
Columnist recap
AI summary, sourced from 1 period article (ESPN AP)
Colt McCoy threw a 45-yard touchdown pass to James Conner. Markus Golden had three sacks. The Cardinals beat the 49ers 31-17 at Levi's Stadium.
The Cardinals were playing without Kyler Murray, DeAndre Hopkins, and A.J. Green. The 49ers were favored at home. They lost. The four-game losing streak that the team had just snapped is starting up again.
Garoppolo threw for 326 yards and two touchdowns but the Niners never got the run game established and the defense surrendered 173 scrimmage yards to Conner. 3-5. The Rams come up on Monday night next at home. The 49ers are 1-8 at Levi's Stadium over the last two seasons.
By the numbers
AI summary, sourced from 1 period article (ESPN AP)
Cardinals 31, 49ers 17. Margin: -14. Nine-game record: 3-5, -17 differential.
- Colt McCoy (backup QB): TD pass to James Conner (45y).
- Conner: 2 rushing TDs + 1 receiving TD; 173 scrimmage yards.
- Garoppolo: 326 passing, 2 TDs.
- Markus Golden: 3 sacks.
- Cardinals: 3 takeaways, 5 sacks.
- 49ers 1-8 at Levi's over last two seasons.
- 49ers 3-5; Cardinals 8-1.
Film room
AI summary, sourced from 1 period article (ESPN AP)
A 31-17 home loss to a Cardinals backup quarterback. The 49ers fall to 3-5.
How it unfolded
The Cardinals scored on a McCoy touchdown drive to open. The 49ers answered with a field goal. Conner ran in a touchdown to push the lead to 14-3. The Cardinals' defense generated takeaways throughout the first half; by halftime it was 21-10. The third quarter was a McCoy-to-Conner 45-yard touchdown that pushed the lead beyond reach. The 49ers added a late score.
The turning point
The 45-yard touchdown to James Conner. With the Cardinals already comfortably ahead, the play extended the lead beyond reach and confirmed that McCoy, with the run game functioning, was going to manage the day comfortably.
By the numbers
Garoppolo 326 passing on 41 attempts with two TDs and the three sacks. McCoy 249 yards on 32 attempts with two TDs. Conner the trifecta: two rushing, one receiving, 173 scrimmage. The 49ers' defense gave up 414 total yards to a Cardinals offense missing its top three skill players.
Personnel watch
The home losing streak continued. The 49ers' run game produced 70 yards as a team. Bosa generated one sack. The defense's reliability evaporated in a home Sunday it should have produced.
What it means
3-5 and back to losing streak. The Rams come up on Monday night next at home, the rematch of the playoff-defining game from January.