Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Top News
Top News
Sport

49ers Push Win Streak to Six with McCaffrey's Triple Touchdown

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) scrambles away from San Francisco 49ers safety Tashaun Gipson Sr. (31) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, in Glendale,

In a shimmering spectacle of sporting prowess, Christian McCaffrey showcased quite the performance, leading the San Francisco 49ers to their sixth consecutive victory with a decisive 45-29 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Breaking loose like a symphony, the world watched agape as McCaffrey fearlessly painted not just one but three kinetic sublimities on the match canvas — a tour de force of touchdowns that will be spoken of for seasons to come.

Under the azure Arizona skies, Brock Purdy delivered a career-defining masterstroke, on his first ever NFL start no less, at State Farm Stadium — a hop, skip, and a jump away from his childhood backyard. Completing a stellar 16 of 25 passes for 242 yards and tying up a career-high with four touchdowns, he proved that home is indeed where the heart is.

Continued dominance by the 49ers, now 11-3, is seemingly a spectacle as they are performing with such panache, flooring their opponents by at least 12 points during their winning streak and dissecting their divisional rivals with surgical precision, celebrating 12 straight victories against the NFC West.

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon, middle, stands on the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) scrambles away from San Francisco 49ers safety Tashaun Gipson Sr. (31) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado (31) runs for a touchdown in front of San Francisco 49ers safety Ji'Ayir Brown during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward (7) returns an interception in front of Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Rondale Moore (4) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) passes as offensive tackle Trent Williams blocks Arizona Cardinals linebacker Dennis Gardeck (45) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey celebrates after scoring against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

McCaffrey's second touchdown was nothing short of a poetry in motion early in the third quarter as he elegantly slipped out of the backfield to dart 41 yards for the touchdown, turning a 28-13 lead into an Everest of a challenge for the Cardinals. Safely ensconced in the end zone, he soon christened it a third time, adding another feather to his already cap-heavy performance, taking the 49ers to a 35-16 lead in their ballet of touchdowns.

Along came Deebo Samuel into the limelight, not to be outdone by McCaffrey, he thrived in the red and gold battleground, pulling down a 19-yard reception and raising the score to a towering 42-22.

Spiralling into the spotlight, cornerback Charvarius Ward spun a dizzying spectacle, intercepting two of Kyler Murray's passes, catapulting the 49ers ahead. One of which was ironically at the Cardinals’ do-or-die fourth-and-3 attempt that instead painted a 14-7 lead for the 49ers.

The Cardinal's sharp shooter, Kyler Murray's previously pristine record of 96 passes without interception finally crumbled under the 49ers' onslaught. Struggling to spark a revival with signs of earlier brilliance– twice finding Trey McBride for a total of 49 yards and handing off to James Conner for a 2-yard touchdown, ultimately proved to be a mirage in the Arizona sun.

While injuries may have clouded this scintillating showdown— with 49ers' Deommodore Lenoir (ribs) and Cardinals' Geoff Swain (calf) and WR Marquise Brown (heel) not returning after the second quarter— one thing was painted clear on the Arizonian turf: the 49ers are a force to be reckoned with.

As we await the next chapter of this gripping gridiron saga, we sign off with the resounding roars of the 49ers faithful echoing from coast to coast, reverberating anticipation and excitement for the battles ahead. Onwards to Dec. 25 and beyond! Here we go, Baltimore. Let's see if you're ready to dance with the 49ers.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.