49ers special teams is off the schneid with crazy touchdown vs. Cardinals

The 49ers' special teams needed a boost in the worst of ways, and they finally broke through against the Cardinals with a can't miss play.

One of the glaring problems the San Francisco 49ers have faced all season has been the play of special teams.

From Weeks 1 through 4, it seemed as if the Niners' third unit would commit some sort of gaffe. In Week 2 against the Minnesota Vikings, this group gave up a blocked punt that swung the favor of the Norsement, while further special teams gaffes in Week 3 against the Los Angeles Rams influenced that shocking loss.

Special teams wasn't particularly great in Week 4 against the New England Patriots either, leading to San Francisco boasting the NFL's worst unit of this kind, in terms of DVOA.

Then, Week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals happened.

49ers special teams has can't miss TD score

The 49ers didn't commit a mistake over the first half, per se, converting on two field goals and making two extra points.

However, on one field-goal try by the Cardinals late in the second quarter, defensive tackle Jordan Elliott blocked the kick, allowing cornerback Deommodore Lenoir to scoop up the loose ball and return it uncontested 61 yards for a touchdown:

Oh, and it's Lenoir's birthday, too.

That gave San Francisco a 20-10 lead heading toward halftime.

But it's not all good news.

On the Cardinals' ensuring kick return, kicker Jake Moody suffered a leg injury while trying to make an ill-advised tackle, and the specialist's return is questionable.

Still, at least Lenoir's special teams touchdown off the block will help alleviate the grief this third phase has had all season up until Week 5.

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