The San Francisco 49ers hit a new low on Sunday when they lost to the Arizona Cardinals. Despite their pedestrian 2-2 record and Christian McCaffrey's absence, they were still seen as significant favorites against a franchise with a 4-13 record in the last two seasons.
But a Josh Karty field goal with one and a half minutes left proved to be the difference-maker, as the defending NFC West champions lost 23-24.
There was much outrage after the game, with many demanding the firing of head coach Kyle Shanahan and his staff:
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More of the anger can be seen below:
"Pathetic 2nd half... So disappointing," one lamented.
"Blow the team up," another demanded.
"You guys stink," another jeered.
Both the 49ers and Cardinals are now tied at 2-3 as a result, trailing the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West, who lost 20-29 to the New York Giants on the same day.
Recapping 49ers' shocking 24-23 divisional clash loss to Cardinals
The Cardinals began the scoring with a monstrous 50-yard touchdown rush by Kyler Murray. The 49ers initially responded with a 28-yard field goal by Jake Moody, then took the lead via a Brock Purdy-George Kittle connection.
To begin the second quarter, Chad Ryland hit a 30 yard field goal to tie the game. Moody responded with a 20-yarder to retake the lead, and the hosts continued to reassert their dominance when Jordan Elliott blocked a 45-yard attempt by Ryland, allowing Deommodore Lenoir to return it to the end zone for six.
But the ensuing extra point attempt would be the last time Moody took to the field, as he sprained his ankle while attempting to tackle DeeJay Dallas after a kickoff. Punter Mitch Wishnowsky assumed his place and kicked a buzzer-beating field goal to establish a 23-10 lead.
However, those would be the 49ers’ last points. They went dry in the second half, while the Cardinals added 14 more points, sandwiching a Murray-Elijah Higgins connection (plus two point conversion) between two Ryland field goals.
The game ended when Jalen Thompson blitzed past the offensive line to deflect Purdy’s last passing attempt, which fell into Kyzir White’s hands for the interception.
The 49ers’ and Cardinals’ respective next opponents are the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday and the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. Both will be held on the road.
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