Big Red
Well-known member
- Mar 16, 2019
- 1,355
- 0
And with that, the Cardinals might've lost their chance to make the playoffs.
In a disappointing showing, the Cardinals fell to the 49ers, 20-12, Saturday at State Farm Stadium, losing the ability to control their own postseason destiny. At 8-7, the Cards are a half-game ahead of the 7-7 Bears, who play 1-13 Jacksonville Sunday and own the tiebreaker for the final postseason spot in the NFC.
In theory, even if the Bears win Sunday, they could lose to the Packers in Week 17 and the Cards could take back the spot, but they will have to go to Los Angeles and beat the Rams -- something the Cardinals have not done since Sean McVay took over as coach.
The Cardinals didn't play well, but twice had chances in the second half to at least tie. Once came on a failed two-point attempt down 14-12, when Murray couldn't connect with DeAndre Hopkins on a back-shoulder throw.
Then, trailing 20-12, the Cardinals got to first-and-10 at the San Francisco 13 -- only to have Murray's attempted lob pass to Christian Kirk in the back corner of the end zone intercepted by cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon.
The 49ers (6-9) then went from their own 20 down to the Arizona 18 to try and clinch the game with a field goal, but Robbie Gould, who missed a field goal and extra-point earlier in the game, missed the 37-yards try wide.
With 1:05 left at their own 25 and no timeouts, the Cardinals could only get to the 43 before a fourth-down incompletion.
Murray had 75 yards rushing, but only 247 yards passing on 50 attempts.
Third-string 49ers QB C.J. Beathard had three touchdown passes, while running back Jeff Wilson rushed for 183 yards on 22 carries.
Continue reading...