The Arizona Cardinals’ 2022 season is over. They wrapped up the season with a 38-13 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, ending the season with a seven-game losing streak and ending the year 4-13.
Buy Cardinals TicketsThey took a 6-0 lead but only managed seven points the rest of the game.
Quarterback David Blough turned the ball over three times and 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy had three touchdown passes as San Francisco rushed for 169 yards, led by Elijah Mitchell’s 55 yards and two touchdowns on five attempts.
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Cardinals 6, 49ers 0
IT'S TRICKY 😉@ajgreen_18 x #BirdCityFootball pic.twitter.com/nUPrZoGISG
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) January 8, 2023
Whoa! The Cardinals get on the board after only two plays. They received the kickoff and, on the second play, David Blough aired out a deep pass. Green grabbed the ball, broke a tackle and ran the distance for a 77-yard touchdown.
It was the Cardinals’ longest play of the season and Green’s second touchdown of the season.
Matt Prater missed the extra point wide left.
49ers 7, Cardinals 6
The 49ers didn’t take long to answer. They took a 7-6 lead with a 21-yard touchdown pass from Brock Purdy to Christian McCaffrey.
It only took six plays to score, going 75 yards. Purdy had a 13-yard rush and completed all three of his passes in the drive.
J.J. Watt sack!
JJ WATT TAKE A BOW 😭 pic.twitter.com/ns40I35Vk5
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) January 8, 2023
Watt picked up a sack in his final NFL game. He sacked Brock Purdy for a six-yard loss, giving him 11.5 on the season. It was the first sack of his career against the 49ers and Purdy became the 50th different quarterback he had sacked.
Cardinals stuffed on 4th down
On fourth-and-short, less than a yard, the Cardinals went for it in the first quarter on their own 39-yard line. Blough attempted a QB sneak for no gain and the Cardinals turned the ball over on downs.
David Blough picked off!
31st INT for #31!
📺: #AZvsSF on FOX
📱: NFL+ // https://t.co/KTh0i4oaLh pic.twitter.com/mzr6ARWBYS— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 8, 2023
The 49ers had the first takeaway of the game in the second quarter. After the Cardinals started a drive in the second quarter inside their own 15, on the first play of their possession, Blough attempted a pass down the field to receiver Marquise Brown. It was overthrown and 49ers safety Tashaun Gipson intercepted it, returning it to the Arizona 18.
49ers 14, Cardinals 6
After the interception, running back Elijah Mitchell, activated Saturday from injured reserve, scored on a five-yard run after Leki Fotu was called for encroachment.
Back in the end zone! @EliMitch15
📺: #AZvsSF on FOX
📱: NFL+ // https://t.co/KTh0i4oaLh pic.twitter.com/PUQ7KkaGFG— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 8, 2023
49ers 14, Cardinals 13
Cappin' off the drive with 6️⃣@CoreyClement_6 x #BirdCityFootball pic.twitter.com/TPe0urkWaJ
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) January 8, 2023
The Cardinals responded to the 49ers’ touchdown with a nice drive of their own. They went 75 yards in 12 plays. They converted twice on third down, once on a catch by running back Corey Clement and another by tight end Trey McBride. McBride also started the drive with a 23-yard reception.
Clement scored the touchdown with a one-yard run.
Fingertips and toe taps for a TD: 49ers 21, Cardinals 13
Fingertip catch for the TD! @gkittle46
📺: #AZvsSF on FOX
📱: NFL+ // https://t.co/KTh0i4oaLh pic.twitter.com/OqwCvI9Mnd— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 8, 2023
The 49ers pick up a touchdown with 19 seconds left in the first half to take a 21-13 lead. Purdy found tight end George Kittle in the back of the end zone for a four-yard touchdown. Kittle made a nice catch and got his toes down to score.
The 49ers went 66 yards in 9 plays after a 33-yard kickoff return.
49ers 28, Cardinals 13
The 49ers opened the second half with a 75-yard drive that had 65 rushing yards. Elijah Mitchell scored on a six-yard run.
Blough picked off again
The Cardinals’ next drive ended with Blough’s second interception. Again on a throw down the field intended for Brown, the ball was overthrown and Gipson picked off the pass for the second time.
He returned it to the Arizona 34 for 23 yards. The drive was only three plays
49ers 31, Cardinals 13
The Cardinals kept the 49ers out of the end zone, but San Francisco added three points to their lead. Cameron Thomas’ sack on third down forced the Niners to kick a 27-yard field goal.
Fumble! 49ers take over
Defense is LIT!
📺: #AZvsSF on FOX
📱: NFL+ // https://t.co/KTh0i4oaLh pic.twitter.com/O6A3RM0Idj— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 8, 2023
On the Cardinals’ third play on their next drive, Blough was sacked and fumbled the ball. The 49ers recovered at the Arizona 28.
49ers 38, Cardinals 13
Four plays after the fumble, the 49ers tacked on another touchdown. After it appeared that Jordan Mason scored on a five-yard touchdown run, review took it away and, two plays later Purdy found Kittle for the second time, a one-yard touchdown pass. It was Purdy’s third touchdown pass of the game.
