49ers vs. Cardinals final score: SF wrap up No. 2 seed
The San Francisco 49ers kept rolling on Sunday, closing out the season with a 38-13 victory over the Arizona Cardinals to wrap up the No. 2 seed in the NFC.
The victory puts them at 14-4 for the year. SF had already wrapped up the NFC West, but had a chance at the No. 1 seed in the conference until the Eagles won.
The 49ers’ Wild Card Round opponent isn’t known. That will defend on the outcome of the Sunday Night Football game between the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers.
If the Packers win, they’re in and will head to Santa Clara for a rematch of the NFC Divisional Round game from last year.
If the Packers lose, then the 49ers will host the Seahawks.
SF 49ers continue to cruise behind rookie QB Brock Purdy
What we do know is that the 49ers’ remain on fire. Winners of 10 straight games to close the regular season, and scoring 35 or more points in four of their last five games, this is a team set to give its playoff opponents fits in the first round.
Rookie quarterback Brock Purdy closed his fairytale regular season with his fifth straight win as a starter (and sixth as a QB) by going 15-for-20 for 178 yards and three touchdowns.
After connecting with Christian McCaffrey for a 21-yard touchdown on the 49ers’ first drive, he struggled a bit for a couple of series before getting things going again.
San Francisco took a 21-13 lead into the half before opening things up with a 17-point third quarter.
Some familiar faces helped with that.
Purdy found tight end George Kittle for two touchdowns on four receptions. The first came just before the end of the first half and the second with about a minute left in the third quarter.
Purdy also connected with wideout Brandon Aiyuk four times for 59 yards, putting Aiyuk above the 1,000 yards receiving mark for the first time in his career.
McCaffrey continued to serve the offense well, too. He finished with 34 yards receiving as well as 45 yards rushing.
Purdy became SF’s rookie leader in passing TDs. He finished the year with 13. He passed Tom Owens’ 1974 mark.
But maybe some of the best news of the day for the 49ers could be found in the return of Elijah Mitchell. The second-year running back led the ground game with 55 yards on five carries, resulting in two touchdowns.
Mitchell has been out much of the year after suffering a pair of MCL sprains, the first in just the second week of the season. He was activated from the Injured Reserve ahead of Sunday’s game and appears in good position to help with the 49ers’ playoff run.
One thing to keep an eye on, however. Linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles left the game with a neck injury and did not return.