Maiocco’s Observations: 49ers collapse late again in loss to Cards originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
BOX SCORE
SANTA CLARA — Once again, the 49ers let a seemingly comfortable lead against an NFC West opponent wilt away.
The Arizona Cardinals came back from a 13-point deficit to capitalize on the 49ers’ mistakes for a 24-23 upset victory on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.
Just five games into the 2024 NFL season, the 49ers might be showing signs that their season could be spiraling downhill, too.
The Cardinals’ winning points were made possible when Jordan Mason fumbled with 6:11 remaining as the 49ers appeared to be closing in for a possible game-clinching touchdown. Mason fumbled at the Arizona 9-yard line.
Then, Mason appeared to miss a blitz pickup that forced quarterback Brock Purdy into an interception on the 49ers’ final chance.
Sure, there are a lot of games to be played, but there is no underestimating the devastation of their losses to the Los Angeles Rams and Cardinals — after holding double-digit second-half leads in both games.
And it does not get any easier. The 49ers have a quick turnaround before traveling to the Pacific Northwest to face the division-leading Seattle Seahawks on Thursday.
The Cardinals seemed to get stronger during the hottest game day in Levi’s Stadium history. Perhaps more accurate, the 49ers wore down to a considerable degree.
Here are the takeaways from Sunday’s Week 5 game against the Cardinals:
Special Teams Ups and Downs
The 49ers could not enjoy their best special-teams play of the season for very long.
For a change, the 49ers came up with a big play on special teams that turned the game in their favor.
But a short time later, they lost kicker Jake Moody to a right ankle injury that might have long-term consequences.
Moody sustained the injury when his right leg bent awkwardly under him as he got into the mix for a tackle on a kickoff. He hopped off the field under his own power. But shortly thereafter, a cart took him…
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Author : NBC Sports BayArea
Publish date : 2024-10-07 04:04:35
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