49ers dominate Cardinals, but lose 28-18 after committing 5 turnovers

Despite being outplayed throughout the game, five turnovers — and the loss of Niners’ running back Matt Breida — gave the Arizona Cardinals their first victory of the year, and the San Francisco 49ers their most embarrassing loss of the 2018 season.

Today’s Week 5 matchup with the 0-4 Arizona Cardinals was a must-win game for the San Francisco 49ers, but that didn’t stop the Niners from losing to an inferior team by two scores in front of a friendly home crowd.

The Cardinals weren’t able to run the ball throughout the contest. Arizona — led by star running back David Johnson — averaged just 2.4 yards per carry and totalled just 56 yards over the course of the game.

In his second NFL start, Cardinals rookie quarterback Josh Rosen was inefficient through the air as well. Aside from Arizona’s first offensive play, a deep touchdown pass to rookie wideout Christian Kirk that was misplayed by 49ers safety Adrian Colbert, Rosen threw for less than 100 total yards, and averaged 3.8 yards per pass attempt. Even including Kirk’s long catch-and-run, Rosen was 10-for-25 for 170 passing yards.

Meanwhile, the 49ers started strong with a well-called eight-play drive filled with screens and misdirection plays. San Francisco quarterback C.J. Beathard ended the drive with a five-yard pass to running back Matt Breida.

Breida looked explosive during the first quarter of the game. The Niners’ top back ran for 56 yards on 13 carries before leaving the game with an ankle injury. Despite his attempts to return to action, the 49ers’ coaching staff ruled Breida out for the remainder of Sunday’s matchup:

Three plays after Breida was helped off the field, third-string running back Raheem Mostert committed the first of the 49ers’ three fumbles of the afternoon. After Cardinals star cornerback Patrick Peterson returned Mostert’s fumble 49 yards, Johnson punched the ball into the end zone for the first of his two touchdown runs.

Beathard was responsible San Francisco’s other four turnovers — at least in the official box score. While Beathard’s second interception occurred on a desperation fourth-and-long pass attempt, Beathard’s first pick was tipped into the hands of a defender by one of the NFL’s most sure-handed receivers, 49ers wideout Pierre Garcon:

However, Garcon has been anything but sure-handed in recent weeks. After Garcon — the 49ers’ top wideout with WR Marquise Goodwin sidelined — dropped another catchable pass a few minutes later, it was easy to conclude that something physical was bothering the veteran wide receiver.

This assumption was proven true, as Garcon pulled himself from the game, and headed into the 49ers’ locker room with an apparent shoulder injury:

Garcon eventually returned to the game and contributed with a difficult reception. However, the wideout finished the game with just five receptions on a game-high 12 targets. With Garcon struggling and Goodwin and Breida sidelined, the 49ers were left with just two explosive offensive playmakers, rookie wide receiver Richie James, and tight end George Kittle.

After starting the game on offense, James watched most of today’s game from the sideline until the closing minutes of the contest. James — who continues to be underutilized — returned a kickoff and caught both of his targets during the game, although the first was negated due to penalty.

Although the Cardinals’ defense focused on Kittle throughout the contest, the tight end still racked up five receptions for 83 yards, but was unable to hold on to a pass on a late two-point-conversion attempt. The 49ers’ second-leading receiver was fullback Kyle Juszczyk, who caught six passes for 75 yards. San Francisco’s tight end and fullback were the only 49ers to average over 10 yards per reception.

The 49ers’ remaining two turnovers were strip-sacks of Beathard, as the quarterback attempted to work the pocket. Beathard fell on his first fumble, which was wrestled away by Cardinals defensive end Chandler Jones, while Beathard’s second fumble was returned for an Arizona touchdown, which essentially ended the game.

Beathard finished the game with 349 passing yards compared to Rosen’s 170 — and the 49ers’ rushing attack amassed 147 yards on the ground, while the Cardinals totalled just 56. San Francisco doubled Arizona in time of possession, tripled their number of first downs, and converted five times as many third-down attempts.

But the San Francisco 49ers committed five costly turnovers on Sunday. And the Arizona Cardinals won the game.