Ranking position groups from 49ers' grimy Week 3 win over Cardinals

The San Francisco 49ers have played the majority of the young season without their most important players, and that trend continued in Week 3 against the Arizona Cardinals.

Missing stars like tight end George Kittle, quarterback Brock Purdy, and wide receiver Jauan Jennings, the Niners defense subsequently suffered a major loss when defensive end Nick Bosa left the game with a knee injury and did not return.

But, just as they have done each week so far, the hodgepodge of San Francisco backups put together a strong winning effort, eking out a 16-15 victory over the red birds that gave the 49ers sole possession of first place in the NFC West.

Backup quarterback Mac Jones drove the offense down the field with less than two minutes remaining, and newcomer kicker Eddy Piñeiro sent the home fans happy in the Niners' home opener.

Niner Noise ranks the position groups based off the game, putting the most vital groups first.

San Francisco notched only one sack on quarterback Kyler Murray, but the lack of "production" does not underline how dominant the defensive line played. The 49ers held the Cardinals to only 3.8 yards per carry, most of that efficiency coming from Murray scrambles and one long run.

In particular, the D-line stepped up after Bosa left the game, with rookie Mykel Williams flashing constantly. It was D-line that kept the Cardinals at bay throughout the day, and it was the same D-line that powered the Niners to victory.

San Francisco's key skill positions continue to drive the offense forward as it deals with injuries. For yet another week, Christian McCaffrey and Ricky Pearsall answered the bell and powered the offense to every single point. McCaffrey continued to struggle on the ground, averaging only 3.1 yards per carry, but he had 88 yards on 10 catches... as a running back.

Pearsall added another 100-yard game in his career, including a massive reception on fourth down that led to the 49ers' only touchdown. And as always, the supporting cast filled in admirably, with Kendrick Bourne and Jake Tonges flashing for a couple big catches.

The offense has been hobbled throughout the beginning of the season, but it is on the backs of their skill position players that they have put together just enough points to win each game.

Linebackers did not provide the typical flashy plays accustomed from the unit, but they put together another strong game, stringing together quality performance after quality performance.

Fred Warner and Dee Winters led the team in tackles with 11 and eight, respectively, and Warner in particular had a critical pass deflection to keep the Niners' hopes alive.

When a team's front seven plays as well as San Francisco did against the Cardinals, it's a great sign for success.

Jones attempted 41 passes against the Cardinals, a byproduct of Arizona's defensive aggression against the run and the 49ers' trust in his ability. He finished with 284 yards and a touchdown, as he navigated a muddy pocket to bring the Niners to victory.

The typical concerns from Jones popped up again: A lack of mobility in the pocket and an egregious interception that put San Francisco in dire straits, but Jones showed up when necessary.

This is the break-even line

The secondary continued its wayward play against the Cardinals. Deommodore Lenoir continues to shut down his side of the field, and opposing offenses continue to attack the other cornerbacks instead.

San Francisco's defensive backfield twice allowed wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. to get wide-open down the field, had a couple of costly penalties, and Arizona's lack of passing prowess was often more a byproduct of the Cardinals' own shortcomings than anything the 49ers secondary did.

That said, defensive backs made the big plays when they had to.

Rookie Upton Stout made a game-saving pass breakup that allowed the Niners to march down the field and kick a game-winning field goal.

Plays like that offer hope for the secondary to improve.

Not last for once?

Special teams was no exceptional group against the Cardinals, but a mixture of timely decisions and the struggles of another group lifts them to sixth on the power rankings for the week.

The kicking game has stabilized well, and Piñeiro was the hero, knocking three field goals, including the game-winner. The rest of special teams continues to struggle and remains a major work in progress.

But for at least one week, it can celebrate leading the team to a win.

The offensive line had itself a rough day. Beyond the pressures from the Cardinals defensive line, the blockers couldn't open up any rushing lanes for running backs. Arizona won the battle of the trenches against the O-line easiily, and it grinded the 49ers offense to a standstill. Add in a holding penalty by Dominick Puni in the end zone that nearly cost the Niners the game by giving the Cardinals two points, and the O-line easily takes the lowest rung for Week 3.

The 49ers will hope that their injury situation improves, and they can stack up victories when the Jacksonville Jaguars come into town for a Week 4 matchup.

Overall Rankings as of Week 3 (lower is better!)

Skill Positions: 5

Linebackers: 6

Defensive Line: 9

QBs: 14

Defensive Backs: 14

Offensive Line: 16

Special Teams: 20