49ers survive NFC West bout vs. Cardinals by most inexplicable means ever

While Week 2's win over the New Orleans Saints suggested the San Francisco 49ers could get by without a slew of their offensive stars, Week 3's home NFC West showdown against the Arizona Cardinals revealed the exact opposite.

But two specific moments will stand out well above the rest.

With quarterback Brock Purdy still sidelined with a toe injury, backup Mac Jones tried his best to overcome additional offensive shortages, including his preferred Week 2 target, wide receiver Jauan Jennings, out with ankle and shoulder injuries.

That might not have been the deciding factor, and Jones helped make up for it by connecting with wide receiver Ricky Pearsall for eight catches and 117 yards. But one ill-advised attempt to the second-year pro's direction ended up being a critical turning point in the 16-15 nail-biting win for the Niners.

However, Jones' perfectly executed two-minute drill with San Francisco trailing 15-13 with just two minutes remaining in regulation led the 49ers to a 3-0 record, thanks to a game-winning field goal by kicker Eddy Pineiro:

That drive, though...

So, yes. Jones certainly came back down to earth a bit after riding high in Week 2. But a brutal late fourth-quarter mistake by one of his blockers, right guard Dominick Puni, nearly went down as one of the biggest gaffes on the Niners' young season.

Dominick Puni owes Mac Jones dinner after brutal safety

Jones had tossed a horrible interception late in the fourth quarter, yet San Francisco was poised to respond after a clutch pass breakup by linebacker Fred Warner to get the ball back in a 13-13 game.

Yet the ensuing punt pinned Jones and the 49ers offense deep in their own territory, which led to the hobbled quarterback being rushed.

And Puni's hold in the end zone on Arizona defensive tackle Calais Campbell:

Campbell easily had Puni beat, but the hold itself might not have played a significant role in Jones somehow eluding the would-be tackle in the end zone.

Either way, it didn't matter. Puni was called for the flag, and the Cardinals were granted the two points on the safety to go up 15-13.

Brutal.

At that point, all signs pointed to Arizona pulling off the win at Levi's Stadium, while Puni would have been on the wrong end of all NFC West jokes between the two teams until they next meet later this season.

Luckily, Jones picked up his teammate with that game-winning two-minute drill.

Puni needs to buy Jones dinner now.