The standout performances of Purdy and McCaffrey contribute significantly to the 49ers’ offensive prowess, solidifying their position as the best in the NFL. These two players, identified as studs, play instrumental roles in the Niners’ success on the field, showcasing the strength and effectiveness of their offense.
In a high-scoring matchup, the San Francisco 49ers secured a commanding victory over the Arizona Cardinals with a score of 45-29. Despite a sub-par defensive performance, the brilliance of Christian McCaffrey, Brock Purdy, and Deebo Samuel on the offensive end more than compensated for any defensive shortcomings. The trio’s outstanding output played a pivotal role in the 49ers’ decisive win over the Cardinals.
The San Francisco 49ers seem to have found a winning formula against the Arizona Cardinals, prompting some to jokingly suggest they should play the Cardinals every week. Historically, the Cardinals had been a challenging opponent for the 49ers within their division, often proving to be a stumbling block even when the 49ers were the superior team.
However, a notable shift has occurred, with the Niners now dominating the Cardinals. In a display of offensive prowess earlier in the season and another elite performance in Arizona, the 49ers secured a crucial victory in front of their supportive fan base, clinching the NFC West once again. This success against the Cardinals marks a positive turn of events for the 49ers in their divisional matchups.
The San Francisco 49ers delivered an impressive performance, averaging 7.8 yards per play, scoring five offensive touchdowns, and maintaining their flawless record against the NFC West this season with a decisive 45-29 victory. This sets the stage for an exciting Christmas Day showdown with the Baltimore Ravens at Levi’s Stadium.
Now, let’s take a closer look at the standout players (studs) and those who faced challenges (duds) in this noteworthy game.
STUDS 
Despite facing challenges, Christian McCaffrey showcased his remarkable talent in the game, scoring three touchdowns and amassing a season-high 187 yards from scrimmage. While his bursts of speed were truly spectacular, McCaffrey’s versatility was once again on full display, with two touchdowns through the air and one on the ground.
This game served as a testament to McCaffrey’s all-time versatility as a running back. His ability to contribute both in the passing and rushing game makes him a formidable and multifaceted threat on the field. Notably, McCaffrey has been particularly dominant against the Arizona Cardinals, tallying seven touchdowns against them this season, leaving a lasting impression on his opponents.
Brock Purdy
Brock Purdy delivered a quarterback clinic on Sunday, showcasing his skills with an impressive performance of 242 passing yards and four touchdowns. It’s difficult to imagine anyone playing the quarterback position better than Purdy did in this game, and one could argue that his previous performance against Arizona was even more exceptional.
As the season approaches its final three games, Purdy emerges as a strong candidate for the NFL’s MVP, marking a remarkable and exciting time in his career.
Charvarius Ward
Charvarius Ward made a significant impact on the defensive end, providing the 49ers with their first pick-six since Week 5 of the previous year. Ward’s interception was a result of a brilliant individual effort, baiting Kyler Murray into a throw, intercepting the ball, and returning it for a touchdown. His agility and apparent recovery from a previous groin injury were evident, making impactful plays throughout the game, including another interception in the fourth quarter.
The 49ers’ offensive line
Additionally, the 49ers’ offensive line played a crucial role in the team’s success. Purdy had ample time to throw, and McCaffrey faced minimal resistance on many runs, showcasing the offensive line’s dominance. While Arizona’s defensive line may have struggled, the Niners’ offensive line put on an exceptional performance, making Sunday’s game one of their best of the season.
DUDS
Fred Warner
Fred Warner, the usually reliable middle linebacker for the 49ers, faced a challenging outing in this particular game, marking his worst performance of the season. Traditionally tasked with halting the run and defending against opposing tight ends in the passing game, Warner encountered difficulties on both fronts.
The Cardinals managed to amass over 200 rushing yards, indicating a struggle in Warner’s usual role of stopping the run. Additionally, Cardinals tight end Trey McBride emerged as a notable receiver, catching 10 passes for 102 yards, suggesting challenges in Warner’s coverage.
Warner’s difficulties were evident from the start, as he was burned by McBride for a deep pass early in the game’s first drive. Furthermore, he missed a crucial tackle on James Conner, contributing to the Cardinals’ opening touchdown.
This game marked a departure from Warner’s usual high standard of performance, and it becomes imperative for him to bounce back in subsequent contests.
Fred Warner faced further challenges in the game, missing a pivotal tackle on Emari Demercado’s 49-yard touchdown run. The Niners’ defensive play, overall, did not meet the standards typically associated with Super Bowl-caliber performance on that particular Sunday. While it may not be a cause for extreme concern, scrutiny begins with the team captain, Warner, as the leader of the defense.
Recognizing Warner’s missed tackles and the overall defensive struggles, it becomes a point of assessment and potential adjustment for the team moving forward. Addressing these challenges and making necessary improvements will likely be a priority for the 49ers as they aim for a strong postseason performance.
Javon Kinlaw
The limitations of the 49ers’ defensive tackle were evident in the recent game, prompting the team to primarily deploy him as a pass rusher. Against the run, he consistently yielded ground, being pushed back three to five yards on each snap. This struggle against the run likely played a role in the Cardinals’ significant rushing yardage, totaling 234 yards on that Sunday.
The substantial investments made in players like Arik Armstead and Javon Hargrave highlight the importance of having impactful defensive linemen who can hold their ground and disrupt the opposing team’s rushing efforts. The struggles of the defensive tackle underscore the significance of the defensive line in shaping the overall defensive performance and the team’s strategy for deploying players in specific roles.
Randy Gregory
Despite being the third option at defensive end and lacking impactful plays in recent weeks, Randy Gregory made an unfortunate impact in the recent game, albeit for all the wrong reasons. In what appeared to be an expression of frustration, possibly due to his perceived absence from quarterback action, Gregory threw Cardinals offensive lineman Paris Johnson well after the play had concluded. This action resulted in Johnson falling into the back of Nick Bosa’s legs.
While Bosa did return to the game, the incident raised concerns about Gregory’s overall contribution to the team. The argument is made that Gregory, with his one-time reputation, seems to be playing more on past accomplishments rather than current performance. The suggestion is that if Gregory can demonstrate physical prowess against an offensive lineman, he should reserve such actions for moments that truly matter. If he cannot, there is a call for the 49ers to consider making him inactive in future games, given his recent track record as more of a liability than an asset.
Ronnie Bell
With Ray Ray McCloud out, there is a notable concern about the current punt return options, particularly with Bell, the rookie. The observation is that Bell has displayed a tendency to bobble the ball, raising concerns about potential mishaps on punt returns. The sentiment is that relying on Bell in this role may pose a risk, and the team may benefit from exploring alternative options to ensure a more secure and reliable performance on punt returns, minimizing the potential for costly mistakes.