Eric Sorenson
Death, taxes, and Brock Purdy thriving in the desert.
Behind the former Perry High School star, the San Francisco 49ers clinched the NFC West, starting fast, and never looking back in their 45-29 win over the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale.
San Francisco improves to 11-3. Arizona is now 3-11 and officially eliminated from the playoffs.
The story all game was Purdy who completed 16-25 for 242 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions before backup Sam Darnold played half of the fourth quarter.
“I’ve dreamed about playing in the NFL,” Purdy said after the game. “To come home, it means everything to me just because I know they have my back.”
The Cards made things look easy on their first drive, taking the opening kickoff and jumping out to a quick 7-0 lead on James Conner’s 2-yard touchdown run.
right up the middle 💪@JamesConner_ x #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/I5U1cdeDjY
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) December 17, 2023
The seven-play, 75-yard drive was highlighted by a Kyler Murray to Trey McBride catch and run down the San Francisco sideline.
San Fran would respond as Purdy connected with Deebo Samuel who went in motion and was left wide open on a wheel route for an easy 12-yard scoring play.
The wide back was wide open. #SFvsAZ on CBS#ProBowlVote x @19problemz pic.twitter.com/9xM2Ygl4WD
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 17, 2023
“He can see the whole field,” San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan said of Purdy after the win. “There’s nothing he can’t do. He’s had a great command of our offense and just running it.”
The eight-play march featured a heavy dose of Christian McCaffrey who netted 45 yards on just four carries.
On Arizona’s next possession, Jonathan Gannon opted to go for it on fourth and short inside Niners’ territory. The decision proved costly as cornerback Charvarius Ward stepped in front of Murray’s pass over the middle and housed it for a 75-yard pick six.
The Cards would draw closer early in the second quarter on Matt Prater’s booming 58-yard field goal.
After another Prater field goal, Purdy would be hit late by Dennis Gardeck and momentarily leave the game with a shoulder stinger, but would return later in the drive with the 49ers driving inside Arizona territory. With just over a minute to play before halftime, Purdy found Christian McCaffrey out of the backfield for a 5-yard scoring connection. The drive covered 75 yards in 10 plays and pushed the Niners’ lead to 21-13.
Like a good neighbor, @CMC_22 is there.#ProBowlVote @brockpurdy13 pic.twitter.com/4RMpbzfP25
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 17, 2023
The Cardinals caught bad luck just before halftime when Ronnie Bell’s apparent fumble on a punt return inside the Niners’ 15-yard line, which was returned for a touchdown by backup safety Joey Blount, was overturned and ruled down by contact after being touched by Greg Dortch.
San Francisco extended their lead to 28-13 just 42 seconds into the third quarter when Purdy found a wide open McCaffrey behind the Cards’ secondary for a 41-yard touchdown. The other big play on the drive was Purdy to George Kittle on third-and-long for a 35-yard gain.
To their credit, Arizona would respond.
Shortly after a 44-yard gallop by Conner, and a key third down conversion catch by emerging Trey McBride, Prater’s third field goal made the score 28-16 with 4:20 to play in the quarter.
However, a late third quarter touchdown by McCaffrey, this third of the game, iced not only another win, but an NFC West Championship for the 49ers.
McCaffrey rushed for 115 yards and added five receptions for 72 yards.
The Cardinals have now allowed a 100-yard in every NFC West game this season.
On an afternoon where the Niners’ stars shined brightest, Purdy was nearly perfect.
“Definitely a special game for me,” he explained. “It felt like when I was in high school watching the Cardinals [at this stadium]. It was so cool.”
The Cards are back on the road next week, taking on the Bears Sunday in Chicago.
