49ers: Live Week 9 updates, analysis and thread versus Cardinals
Looking to avoid an 0-9 start to their season, the San Francisco 49ers take on the Arizona Cardinals in a home matchup. Noise has all your updates from the game, as well as analysis and your comment thread.
Despite a complete overhaul of the front office and coaching staff, little has changed for the 2017 San Francisco 49ers in terms of winning and losing as the team remains winless heading into Week 9 of the season.
This next game serves as one of San Francisco’s best shot at a winning a game this season. With veteran quarterback Carson Palmer out with an injury and an offensive line filled with holes, the 49ers have a prime opportunity in their hands.
San Francisco will be down a few players of their own, as wide receiver Pierre Garçon, offensive lineman Joe Staley and safety Jimmie Ward are all sidelined with injuries.
Still though, this one of the most winnable games left on the 49ers’ schedule.
As always, Niner Noise has your in-game thread with scoring updates and a comment thread you can participate in at the bottom of the article.
Follow along with us, as the 49ers seek to get their first victory of the season.
First Quarter
San Francisco wins the toss and defers, and will kick off to begin the game. The Cardinals start at the their own 20-yard line. A 52-yard reception by wide receiver John Brown put the ball into 49ers’ territory, but the San Francisco defense clamped down to force a 38-yard field goal attempt. Phil Dawson’s kick was no good.
After the offense was rolling, fullback Kyle Juszczyk was stripped and cornerback Patrick Peterson returned it to the 49ers 6-yard line. On 3rd and goal, quarterback Drew Stanton found wide receiver Jaron Brown for a 3-yard touchdown. The Cardinals lead 7-0 with 10:15 left in the first quarter.
On San Francisco’s ensuing drive, wide receiver Trent Taylor dropped a pass on 3rd down to cause a three-and-out for the 49ers. Arizona took over at their own 37-yard line.
The San Francisco defense was able to clamp down and force a three-and-out of its own after Stanton’s pass on 3rd and 13 was incomplete. The 49ers set to have the ball at their own 23-yard line.
Despite plays of 11 and 18 yards by Hyde, the San Francisco stalled out and the punt team had to come on the field once again. Bradley Pinion’s punt pinned the Cardinals at their own 12-yard line.
For the second consecutive drive, the 49ers’ defense forced a three-and-out. But San Francisco followed that up with a four-play, negative six-yard drive. That is not efficient, to say the vey least.
After causing a Cardinals’ three-and-out, quarterback C.J. Beathard hit wide receiver Marquise Goodwin for a 55-yard reception to put the 49ers into Arizona territory. But a barrage of pressure on Beathard killed the drive, and Robbie Gould will open up the second quarter with a 42-yard field goal attempt.
Second Quarter
Gould’s 42-yard kick was good and the Cardinals’ lead was cut to 7-3.
Arizona answered right back on a 11-yard touchdown reception from tight end Jermaine Gresham to put the Cardinals up 14-3. It was set up by runs of 18 and 16 yards by running back Adrian Peterson and an 11-yard reception by wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald.
An excellent response from the Arizona as they applied pressure on Beathard consistently to force another three-and-out from the San Francisco offense.
After being forced to punt themselves, the Cardinals’ front seven was able to generate pressure in Beathard’s face and the 49ers had to punt again. Arizona took over at their own 23-yard line.
On the next drive, with the Cardinals in the red zone, safety Eric Reid intercepts Stanton in the end zone. The 49ers have 2:56 to work with before halftime.
San Francisco was able to get pass midfield, but continuing the theme of the day, the 49ers punted once again. Head coach Kyle Shanahan opted to not attempt the 56-yard field goal.
Additionally, safety Jaquiski Tartt is out for the game with a wrist injury.
Third Quarter
The 49ers began the second half in fine fashion as Beathard engineered a 13-play, 75-yard scoring drive. The rookie capped it off with a 1-yard touchdown run to make it 14-10 with 9:43 left in the 3rd quarter.
Not a good sign for San Francisco with linebacker Reuben Foster injured on the field holding his left ankle. Foster previously dealt with a high ankle sprain that kept him out multiple weeks.
There were two 3rd down conversions, but the 49ers stood firm on 3rd and 13 and forced a Cardinals punt. Foster is back on the field too, and fans can breathe again now.
After another 49ers’ three-and-out, Arizona is threatening as they have converted two 3rd downs and have the ball at the San Francisco 15-yard line. That is where the 4th quarter will open up at.
Fourth Quarter
The 49ers’ defense is able to create pressure on 3rd and 2, and Arizona settles for three on a Dawson 25-yard field goal. The Cardinals lead 17-10 with 13:31 left in the game.
A dreadful response from the San Francisco offense as Goodwin and tight end George Kittle both register drops, and Beathard was sacked on 3rd and 10. That is another punt for the 49ers.
For the season, the 49ers now have 21 drops — which is most in the NFL.
On the next drive, San Francisco was able to stand pat after letting Arizona drive down the field. Despite being previously gifted a 1st down due to cornerback Dontae Johnson’s penalty, the Cardinals were unable to capitalize as Foster’s run stop stymied Peterson on 3rd and 1. Dawson’s 32-yard field goal was good, giving Arizona the 20-10 lead with 5:33 left to play.
The following drive, the 4th and 3 attempt was no good for the 49ers, but San Francisco got a takeaway on the next play as Peterson fumbles it. The 49ers take over at the 50-yard line with 3:36 left in the game.
Chaos ensued on the next play as Beathard was hit late sliding by safety Antione Bethea, and shoving and pushing followed. Three players were disqualified for fighting — running back Carlos Hyde, linebacker Hasson Reddick and defensive lineman Frostee Rucker.
And any potential comeback bid was ended a few plays later, as Beathard’s pass was tipped and linebacker Karlos Dansby intercepted it at the 2:28 mark in the 4th quarter.
The 49ers got the ball back once more after forcing a Cardinals punt, but failed to do anything. Arizona ran the clock out, and San Francisco is now 0-9 on the season.
Next: 49ers’ Kendrick Bourne should be next man up for depleted wide receiver corps
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