GLENDALE, Ariz. – The Arizona Cardinals capped off their season in style, securing a commanding 47-24 victory over the San Francisco 49ers, with the highlight being a perfectly executed 12-yard touchdown pass from Kyler Murray to rookie sensation Marvin Harrison Jr. in the fourth quarter.
This final passing touchdown has sparked excitement about the team’s prospects for the upcoming season. Murray expressed confidence in Harrison, the fourth overall pick, stating, “He’s only going to get better. We’re only going to get better.”
Murray himself had a stellar performance, finishing the game with 242 passing yards and throwing for four touchdowns, including two to wide receiver Greg Dortch. The Cardinals concluded their season with a record of 8-9, showing improvement from last year’s performance with an increase of four wins, though they still fell short of qualifying for the playoffs for the third consecutive year.
On the other hand, San Francisco’s season took a downturn, ending at 6-11 after losing seven of their last eight games, especially disappointing after their Super Bowl appearance the previous year against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Cardinals consistently led during the second half, extending their advantage to 33-24 early in the fourth quarter after Michael Carter plunged into the end zone for a 2-yard score. The game’s conclusion came with Murray’s final touchdown pass to Harrison, which pushed the score to 40-24 with just under six minutes remaining. Tony Jones Jr. then added a 46-yard touchdown run to finalize the scoring, marking the highest point total for Arizona since 2015.
Despite the win, Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon acknowledged the team’s shortcomings for the season, saying, “We didn’t accomplish what we wanted to accomplish this year, and that stings. But I’m proud of them. They fought, they battled.” He particularly lauded the effort against a tough opponent like the 49ers.
Marvin Harrison Jr.’s performance was noteworthy, as he tied the franchise record for rookie touchdowns with eight, sharing the honor with legends Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin.
Joshua Dobbs, stepping in as San Francisco’s quarterback for the injured Brock Purdy, showcased his skills by throwing for 326 yards along with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He connected with fullback Kyle Juszczyk for a 36-yard touchdown that narrowed the Cardinals’ lead to 26-24 in the third quarter. However, Dobbs faced critical errors in the final period, including a fumble and an interception, which significantly impacted the game’s outcome.
While praising his team’s efforts, Dobbs noted, “Through three quarters we battled, but the turnovers kind of killed us. That was the difference in the game.”
Chad Ryland delivered a crucial 49-yard field goal right before halftime, giving Arizona a slight 20-17 edge after a quick drive. San Francisco had just tied the game moments before with a touchdown from Ricky Pearsall.
Trey McBride, who was recently selected for his first Pro Bowl, caught a 2-yard touchdown pass from Murray just before halftime. McBride set a new franchise record for tight ends with an impressive total of 111 receptions this season.
The Cardinals grabbed an early lead in the second quarter when Murray connected with Dortch on a 23-yard touchdown, marking Dortch’s second touchdown of the year. He later added another score in the third quarter, demonstrating the team’s offensive prowess.
49ers coach Kyle Shanahan remarked on his team’s struggles, saying, “They wore us down and got it going. We couldn’t get them off the field.”
The game began with the 49ers taking a brief lead after Jake Moody’s successful 51-yard field goal, which proved to be their only advantage in the game.
In a notable incident during the game, Cardinals cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting and 49ers receiver Jauan Jennings were ejected after a confrontation in the second quarter. This altercation followed a series of penalties against both teams. Jennings concluded his season with 975 receiving yards, marking his most productive year, while Murphy-Bunting had previously made an interception in the first half.
In terms of injuries, the 49ers were without Purdy (elbow) and Deebo Samuel (ribs/wrist). Running back Issac Guerendo was carted off the field early in the first quarter, while safety Malik Mustapha also sustained a second-quarter injury, and Talanoa Hufanga was ruled out due to a concussion. The Cardinals reported that Michael Wilson (hamstring) and Victor Dimukeje (eye) were inactive, along with cornerback Max Melton, who exited early due to a wrist injury.