Cardinals at 49ers: Highlights, score and recap
David Johnson ran for two touchdowns and carried the Arizona Cardinals to a huge victory over the San Francisco 49ers.
31. 32. Final. 21. 42
It was an ugly night in San Francisco. With the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers rolling out less than desirable quarterbacks, things were bound to get ugly. The term ugly might be an understatement for the night.
Neither team could get points on the board in the first quarter and the punters were having a distance contest. The first points of the night came courtesy of a Jeremy Kerley touchdown, who scored after Tyrann Mathieu ran into his own man.
With things not looking well for the Cardinals and the 49ers seven points looming large, Arizona busted out on offense. It took a bit of help from Carlos Hyde getting called for flexing his biceps on a taunting penalty. After that, Chandler Jones would tip a Blaine Gabbert pass in the air, where Calais Campbell intercepted the ball and set the Cardinals up for their first score, courtesy of Larry Fitzgerald.
In the second half, the Cardinals would recover a fumble on the kickoff score on a huge David Johnson touchdown run to take the lead. Johnson would then put the team on his back. He had over 100 yards rushing on the night and the Cardinals would continue making plays from there.
Markus Golden had a huge night rushing the passer for Arizona. He had two sacks on the night and continued to make Gabbert’s night tough. The Cardinals in general did good getting after the quarterback.
On their next possession, Bruce Arians wasn’t afraid to go deep with backup Drew Stanton and he hit Fitzgerald with a perfect pass for a score. The Cardinals began to run away with it, until the 49ers worked their way 82 yards down the field. Hyde would make up for his earlier penalty and would punch it in for the score.
Marcus Cooper would come up with a huge interception and a field goal would put Arizona back up 10. Another Johnson run would cap off his huge night and the Cardinals were up big again. Gabbert would scamper in for a garbage score and the Cardinals would hold on for a big road win.
Three Stars
3. Calais Campbell
It was quite the night for Campbell. He had two sacks, an interception and a safety. That’s a monstrous night for any defensive end.
2. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona
Fitzgerald sparked his team when they needed it. His two big touchdowns helped give Arizona the momentum they needed to pick up a win on the road.
1. David Johnson, RB, Arizona
Johnson had 157 yards rushing and 28 receiving along with two scores on the night. He has been arguably the best running back in the league this year.
Full Highlights
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/784228830881787906
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/784226941926723584
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/784223956630843392
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/784220439874719748
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/784217598439206912
Betting Odds
The Cardinals came into the game as four-point favorites. With the big second-half performance, the Cardinals covered the spread.
What’s Next?
The 49ers will hit the road to take on the Buffalo Bills. One will have to wonder if the 49ers will make a switch at quarterback. The Cardinals will play the New York Jets on Monday Night Football.