SF 49ers: Counting down the top 10 plays of 2020 season
By Robert Smith
SF 49ers Top Play No. 5: Ahkello Witherspoon intercepts Kyler Murray when it was needed most
The Jeff Wilson touchdown catch was the first of two top plays for the SF 49ers in their Week 17 matchup with the Cardinals.
C.J. Beathard did a great job taking care of the ball in place of turnover-prone Nick Mullens, and it made a difference in a close defensive struggle with Arizona in a game the Cardinals had to win. Meanwhile, Cardinals quarterback QB Kyler Murray gave up a turnover at a most inopportune moment in the game.
It allowed the Niners and cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon to play the spoiler role to perfection.
With Richard Sherman and Jimmie Ward ruled out for the game, Witherspoon was given a chance to step in and help a strong Niners defense. When it mattered most, he came up big. Clinging to an eight-point lead with 4:50 left in the game, the SF 49ers defense allowed Murray to drive his team down for a potential game-tying touchdown.
After getting faked out and allowing a 30-yard run to Murray on a 4th-and-2 just two plays before, Witherspoon had the coverage assignment on Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk on a 2nd-and-11 from San Francisco’s 14-yard line:
Murray dropped back and threw off his back foot looking for Kirk in the end zone. Witherspoon turned and secured the intended pass for an interception that was clutch in sealing San Francisco’s upset victory.
In a season of injuries and disappointment, beating an Arizona team battling for a playoff spot was pretty sweet.