49ers vs Arizona Cardinals Match Player Stats

The 49ers vs arizona cardinals match player stats from the NFL regular season meeting on September 21, 2025 tell the story of a tightly contested game that was decided by execution rather than explosive scoring. San Francisco protected its unbeaten start with a 16 to 15 victory over Arizona, improving to 3 and 0, while the Cardinals dropped to 2 and 1. Although the final score was close, the statistics reveal how both teams approached the game differently. San Francisco relied on an efficient passing attack, dependable special teams, and timely defensive stops, while Arizona stayed competitive through disciplined defense, solid field position, and a late fourth quarter push.

For anyone analysing this matchup, the numbers provide far more insight than the scoreboard alone. Quarterback efficiency, receiving production, rushing balance, defensive performances, and kicking accuracy all contributed to the outcome. Looking beyond the final result helps explain why San Francisco escaped with a one point win despite Arizona matching them in intensity for all four quarters.

Match Overview

Category	Details
Event	NFL Regular Season
Date	September 21, 2025
Venue	San Francisco 49ers Home Stadium
Final Score	San Francisco 49ers 16, Arizona Cardinals 15
Winner	San Francisco 49ers
Cardinals Record	2 and 1
49ers Record	3 and 0

Quarter by Quarter Score

Quarter	Arizona Cardinals	San Francisco 49ers
First Quarter	0	0
Second Quarter	3	6
Third Quarter	3	0
Fourth Quarter	9	10
Final	15	16

The opening quarter featured strong defensive football from both teams. Neither offence managed to find rhythm early, resulting in a scoreless first fifteen minutes.

San Francisco gradually took control before halftime, earning a narrow advantage through efficient drives and reliable kicking. Arizona answered after the break, setting up an exciting fourth quarter where both teams traded important scores before the 49ers held on for victory.

49ers vs Arizona Cardinals Match Player Stats: Complete Game Analysis

A close game like this is rarely decided by one spectacular play. Instead, it comes down to consistency across every phase of football.

Several statistical trends stand out immediately.

• San Francisco produced significantly more passing yards.
• Arizona finished with the stronger rushing total.
• Both defences created pressure without dominating.
• Special teams became one of the biggest deciding factors.
• The turnover battle remained almost even, with only one interception thrown all game.

These trends explain why the contest stayed competitive until the closing moments.

Passing Statistics

Quarterback play shaped the flow of the game, although each passer succeeded in different ways.

Mac Jones Delivers Under Pressure

Mac Jones completed:

• 27 completions
• 41 attempts
• 284 passing yards
• 1 touchdown
• 1 interception
• 1 sack taken
• 83.8 passer rating

While his interception prevented an even stronger statistical outing, Jones consistently moved the chains with accurate short and intermediate throws. His willingness to distribute the football across multiple receivers kept Arizona’s secondary from focusing on one target.

Rather than forcing deep passes into coverage, Jones accepted available completions and allowed his receivers to gain additional yardage after the catch. That patient approach proved valuable in a defensive battle.

Kyler Murray Keeps Arizona Competitive

Kyler Murray finished with:

• 22 completions
• 35 attempts
• 159 passing yards
• 1 touchdown
• 0 interceptions
• 1 sack taken
• 82.9 passer rating

Although Murray threw for considerably fewer yards than Jones, he protected possession well and avoided costly mistakes. His mobility also contributed valuable rushing yards, forcing San Francisco defenders to account for him outside the pocket.

Arizona’s passing offence focused more on controlled gains than explosive plays, limiting overall yardage but maintaining offensive balance.

Comparing the Quarterbacks

Statistic	Mac Jones	Kyler Murray
Completions	27	22
Attempts	41	35
Passing Yards	284	159
Passing TD	1	1
Interceptions	1	0
Sacks Taken	1	1
Passer Rating	83.8	82.9

Jones clearly generated more offensive production through the air, while Murray played a cleaner turnover free game. Both quarterbacks adapted well to strong defensive pressure, making this an intriguing statistical comparison.

Rushing Performance

Neither running game completely dominated the afternoon, but each team used the ground attack differently.

Arizona Cardinals Rushing Leaders

Player	Carries	Yards
Trey Benson	10	42
Kyler Murray	6	37
James Conner	9	22
Greg Dortch	1	5
Emari Demercado	2	0

Team Total

• 28 rushing attempts
• 106 rushing yards
• 0 rushing touchdowns

Arizona spread carries among multiple players, allowing Murray’s scrambling ability to complement Benson’s traditional rushing workload.

San Francisco 49ers Rushing Leaders

Player	Carries	Yards
Christian McCaffrey	17	52
Brian Robinson Jr.	2	22
Mac Jones	1	Minus 1

Team Total

• 20 rushing attempts
• 73 rushing yards
• 0 rushing touchdowns

The Cardinals finished with a noticeable advantage in rushing production, yet San Francisco compensated by relying more heavily on the passing attack.

Why the Running Numbers Matter

Looking deeper into the rushing totals reveals an interesting contrast.

Arizona gained over 100 rushing yards, helping maintain balanced offensive possessions. However, those rushing yards rarely translated into explosive scoring opportunities.

San Francisco generated fewer rushing yards, but its passing offence consistently moved the football into scoring range. This illustrates an important football principle.

Total yardage matters, but converting drives into points matters even more.

Receiving Leaders

The passing game belonged largely to San Francisco’s receivers.

Ricky Pearsall Produces a Breakout Performance

Ricky Pearsall finished with:

• 8 receptions
• 117 receiving yards

His ability to create separation throughout the afternoon gave Jones a dependable target on critical downs.

Rather than relying on one long catch, Pearsall consistently gained positive yardage throughout the game.

Christian McCaffrey’s Dual Threat Value

McCaffrey contributed heavily as both runner and receiver.

Receiving statistics:

• 10 receptions
• 88 receiving yards

Rushing statistics:

• 17 carries
• 52 rushing yards

Combining those numbers shows why he remains one of football’s most versatile offensive players.

Even without scoring a touchdown himself, McCaffrey influenced defensive alignments on nearly every possession.

Other Important 49ers Receivers

Player	Receptions	Yards
Kendrick Bourne	4	38
Jake Tonges	2	21
Kyle Juszczyk	1	1 TD reception

Juszczyk’s one yard touchdown catch ultimately became one of the game’s biggest plays.

Arizona Receiving Leaders

Arizona spread the football across several receivers rather than depending on one dominant performance.

Player	Receptions	Yards
Trey McBride	5	43
Marvin Harrison Jr.	3	44
Zay Jones	2	25
James Conner	3	15

McBride’s touchdown reception represented Arizona’s lone passing touchdown, while Harrison continued demonstrating his ability to stretch opposing secondaries.

Despite balanced contributions, Arizona never produced the explosive receiving numbers necessary to match San Francisco’s passing output.

Team Receiving Comparison

Category	Arizona	San Francisco
Receptions	22	27
Receiving Yards	159	284
Receiving TD	1	1

The nearly 125 yard difference in receiving production became one of the clearest statistical reasons behind San Francisco’s victory.

Defensive Performance Breakdown

While offensive production often attracts the most attention, the defensive units kept this game competitive from start to finish. Both teams prevented explosive scoring opportunities, forced difficult third-down situations, and limited mistakes that could have quickly changed the momentum.

The 49ers vs arizona cardinals match player stats show that neither defence dominated entirely, but each delivered several timely plays that influenced field position and scoring chances.

Arizona Cardinals Defensive Statistics

Category	Total
Total Tackles	66
Solo Tackles	39
Sacks	1
Tackles for Loss	3
Passes Defended	4
Quarterback Hits	8

Arizona’s defence consistently pressured Mac Jones despite recording only one sack. Eight quarterback hits demonstrate that the defensive front remained active throughout the afternoon, forcing Jones to make several throws under pressure.

Although San Francisco accumulated nearly 300 passing yards, many of those gains required long, methodical drives rather than quick explosive plays. Arizona’s defensive discipline prevented the game from slipping away early.

Mack Wilson Sr. Leads the Cardinals

Mack Wilson Sr. finished with:

• 12 total tackles

His performance reflected excellent awareness against both the run and the pass. Time after time, Wilson arrived quickly to limit additional yardage after contact.

Games decided by a single point often highlight linebackers who consistently make routine tackles, and Wilson delivered exactly that type of dependable performance.

San Francisco Defensive Statistics

Category	Total
Total Tackles	77
Solo Tackles	34
Sacks	1
Tackles for Loss	4
Passes Defended	5
Quarterback Hits	4

San Francisco’s defence played a slightly different style than Arizona’s.

Instead of generating constant quarterback pressure, the unit focused on limiting Arizona’s passing options and preventing long offensive drives. Five defended passes illustrate how effectively the secondary challenged receivers throughout the contest.

The defence also produced four tackles for loss, disrupting Arizona’s running game at important moments.

Fred Warner Once Again Sets the Standard

Fred Warner recorded:

• 11 total tackles

Warner’s leadership continues to define San Francisco’s defensive identity.

Watching the game, one recurring pattern became clear. Warner rarely chased plays after significant gains because he frequently positioned himself correctly before the play fully developed.

His ability to diagnose offensive formations remains one of the reasons San Francisco consistently fields one of the NFL’s most organised defensive units.

Defensive Comparison

Category	Arizona Cardinals	San Francisco 49ers
Total Tackles	66	77
Solo Tackles	39	34
Sacks	1	1
Tackles for Loss	3	4
Passes Defended	4	5
Quarterback Hits	8	4

Although Arizona produced more quarterback hits, San Francisco made slightly more impact plays against both the run and the pass.

The numbers reflect two disciplined defensive performances rather than one dominant display.

Turnovers and Ball Security

Close NFL games frequently come down to protecting possession.

This matchup followed that pattern.

Arizona Cardinals

• No interceptions thrown
• One fumble by James Conner
• Team recovered its own fumble

Arizona deserves credit for avoiding costly turnovers. Recovering its only fumble prevented San Francisco from gaining excellent field position.

San Francisco 49ers

• One interception thrown
• No lost fumbles

Mac Jones’ interception came when Dadrion Taylor-Demerson stepped in front of the pass and returned it for 18 yards.

Although the turnover created momentum for Arizona, San Francisco’s defence quickly responded by preventing the Cardinals from fully capitalising.

Overall, neither team lost multiple possessions, helping explain why scoring remained relatively low throughout the afternoon.

Special Teams Made the Difference

One overlooked aspect of the game becomes obvious when reviewing the statistics.

San Francisco’s special teams outperformed Arizona in the moments that mattered most.

Eddy Pineiro Delivers a Perfect Kicking Performance

Eddy Pineiro finished with:

• 3 field goals made
• 3 field goal attempts
• Longest field goal of 51 yards
• 1 successful extra point
• 10 total points

Scoring ten points as a kicker in a one point victory highlights just how valuable Pineiro proved.

His successful 51 yard kick also demonstrated confidence from both the coaching staff and the kicker himself.

Long field goals often carry significant pressure, particularly during tightly contested divisional games.

Chad Ryland’s Afternoon

Chad Ryland recorded:

• 2 field goals made
• 3 field goal attempts
• Longest field goal of 34 yards
• 1 successful extra point
• 7 total points

Missing one field goal ultimately became one of the statistical differences between victory and defeat.

In games decided by a single point, every missed scoring opportunity becomes increasingly important when reviewing the final outcome.

Kicking Comparison

Category	Chad Ryland	Eddy Pineiro
Field Goals	2 of 3	3 of 3
Long	34 yards	51 yards
Extra Points	1 of 1	1 of 1
Total Points	7	10

Pineiro’s flawless afternoon gave San Francisco an important edge despite Arizona remaining competitive throughout regulation.

Punting Performance

Field position quietly influenced several possessions.

Arizona

Blake Gillikin recorded:

• 5 punts
• 258 total yards
• 51.6 yard average
• Longest punt of 55 yards

Gillikin consistently flipped field position, forcing San Francisco to begin several drives deep inside its own territory.

San Francisco

Thomas Morstead finished with:

• 3 punts
• 128 total yards
• 42.7 yard average
• Longest punt of 48 yards

San Francisco punted less frequently because its offence sustained longer drives.

Although Morstead’s average was lower, his workload reflected the offence’s ability to remain on the field.

Return Game Analysis

Special teams extend beyond kicking and punting.

Both clubs generated respectable return production.

Kick Returns

Team	Returns	Yards	Average
Arizona	4	115	28.8
San Francisco	3	80	26.7

Arizona held a slight advantage in average kick return yardage, providing respectable starting field position on multiple possessions.

Punt Returns

Team	Player	Returns	Yards
Arizona	Greg Dortch	1	8
San Francisco	Skyy Moore	3	26

Neither side produced a game changing return, but both units handled the football securely, avoiding costly special teams mistakes.

Key Individual Performers

Several players stood above the rest statistically.

San Francisco 49ers

Mac Jones

• 284 passing yards
• 1 touchdown

His patience and accuracy allowed the offence to sustain drives throughout the afternoon.

Ricky Pearsall

• 8 receptions
• 117 receiving yards

Pearsall emerged as the game’s leading receiver and consistently found open space against Arizona’s secondary.

Christian McCaffrey

• 17 rushing attempts
• 52 rushing yards
• 10 receptions
• 88 receiving yards

His ability to contribute in multiple phases forced Arizona’s defence to remain balanced on nearly every snap.

Fred Warner

• 11 tackles

Warner’s leadership and consistency helped prevent Arizona from producing explosive offensive drives.

Arizona Cardinals

Kyler Murray

• 159 passing yards
• 1 touchdown
• 37 rushing yards

His mobility extended possessions and kept Arizona within striking distance until the closing moments.

Trey McBride

• 5 receptions
• 43 yards
• 1 touchdown

McBride once again demonstrated why he remains one of Arizona’s most reliable receiving threats.

Trey Benson

• 42 rushing yards

Although the numbers were modest, Benson remained Arizona’s most productive traditional runner.

Mack Wilson Sr.

• 12 tackles

Wilson delivered one of the strongest defensive performances of the afternoon through consistent tackling and sound positioning.

Team Statistics Comparison

Looking at the complete team numbers provides a clearer picture of why San Francisco finished with a narrow victory. Although Arizona performed well in several areas, the 49ers gained a meaningful advantage through their passing offence and flawless kicking.

Team Statistic	Arizona Cardinals	San Francisco 49ers
Final Score	15	16
Passing Yards	159	284
Rushing Yards	106	73
Total Receiving Yards	159	284
Passing Touchdowns	1	1
Rushing Touchdowns	0	0
Field Goals Made	2	3
Total Tackles	66	77
Sacks	1	1
Interceptions	1	0
Lost Fumbles	0	0

The table highlights a simple reality. Arizona controlled the ground game, but San Francisco dominated through the air. In today’s NFL, efficient passing often proves to be the deciding factor, particularly when both defences prevent explosive rushing plays.

How the Game Unfolded

Statistics become even more meaningful when viewed alongside the flow of the game.

First Quarter

The opening quarter was dominated by defence.

Neither offence managed to score, as both coaching staffs appeared willing to take a patient approach rather than forcing risky throws early. Defensive fronts won at the line of scrimmage, and both quarterbacks were careful with the football.

The score remained 0 to 0 after fifteen minutes.

Second Quarter

San Francisco slowly gained momentum during the second quarter.

Mac Jones began finding rhythm with Ricky Pearsall and Christian McCaffrey on short and intermediate routes. Those completions helped sustain drives and put Eddy Pineiro in position to score.

Arizona answered with a field goal, but the 49ers entered halftime leading 6 to 3.

Although the lead was small, San Francisco looked slightly more comfortable moving the football.

Third Quarter

Arizona’s defence continued to impress after halftime.

The Cardinals limited San Francisco to no points during the third quarter while adding another field goal of their own.

At the end of the quarter, the game was tied at 6 to 6.

Momentum had shifted, setting up an entertaining final period.

Fourth Quarter

The final quarter featured nearly all of the game’s drama.

Arizona finally found the end zone through Trey McBride’s touchdown reception from Kyler Murray.

San Francisco responded with its own touchdown, as Kyle Juszczyk caught a one yard scoring pass.

Both teams exchanged scoring drives, but Eddy Pineiro’s perfect afternoon ultimately proved decisive.

When the final whistle sounded, San Francisco had secured a hard fought 16 to 15 victory.

Five Reasons the 49ers Won

The box score reveals several important reasons behind San Francisco’s success.

1. Superior Passing Production

Mac Jones threw for 284 yards compared to Kyler Murray’s 159.

That difference allowed San Francisco to sustain longer drives and create more scoring opportunities.

2. Reliable Receiving Corps

Ricky Pearsall and Christian McCaffrey combined for:

• 18 receptions
• 205 receiving yards

Arizona simply could not consistently contain both playmakers.

3. Perfect Kicking

Eddy Pineiro converted every scoring opportunity available to him.

His three successful field goals accounted for nearly two thirds of San Francisco’s total points.

4. Defensive Discipline

Despite allowing Arizona back into the game late, the 49ers avoided giving up explosive plays throughout most of the afternoon.

Fred Warner’s leadership helped organise the defence during several critical possessions.

5. Offensive Patience

Rather than chasing big plays on every drive, San Francisco accepted shorter completions and gradually moved the football downfield.

That approach reduced unnecessary mistakes and kept the offence on schedule.

Where Arizona Fell Short

Arizona showed plenty of positives despite the defeat.

However, several areas limited its ability to finish the game.

Limited Passing Explosiveness

Kyler Murray protected the football well, but the passing game generated only 159 yards.

Against an opponent like San Francisco, producing fewer than 200 passing yards makes scoring consistently much more difficult.

Red Zone Efficiency

Arizona moved the football effectively at times but struggled to maximise scoring opportunities.

Settling for field goals instead of touchdowns kept the game close but ultimately proved costly.

Missed Field Goal

One missed field goal represented a three point swing.

In a game decided by one point, every missed kick carries significant importance.

Containing San Francisco’s Receivers

Arizona’s secondary competed hard throughout the contest, but Ricky Pearsall and Christian McCaffrey consistently found open space underneath the coverage.

Those steady gains helped San Francisco control possession during several important drives.

Biggest Statistical Takeaways

Reviewing the 49ers vs arizona cardinals match player stats reveals several meaningful conclusions.

• San Francisco won despite being outgained on the ground.
• Arizona protected the football well but struggled to create explosive passing plays.
• Ricky Pearsall delivered the game’s best receiving performance.
• Christian McCaffrey contributed heavily as both a runner and receiver.
• Fred Warner and Mack Wilson Sr. led two disciplined defensive units.
• Special teams became one of the deciding factors.
• Mac Jones finished with nearly 300 passing yards in one of his strongest performances of the season.

These observations explain why the final score remained extremely close despite San Francisco controlling several important statistical categories.

What This Game Means Going Forward

For San Francisco, this victory reinforced the value of winning in different ways.

The running game was not dominant, yet the offence adapted through efficient passing. Teams capable of adjusting their strategy during difficult games often remain successful throughout long NFL seasons.

Arizona also had reasons for optimism.

The Cardinals remained competitive against an unbeaten divisional opponent on the road. Their defence created pressure, the running game stayed productive, and Kyler Murray avoided costly turnovers.

Improving red zone execution and generating more explosive passing plays could help Arizona convert similar performances into victories later in the season.

Expert Analysis

Having analysed hundreds of NFL games over the years, one pattern appears repeatedly in close divisional matchups.

The team that performs consistently across every phase usually prevails.

That was exactly the case here.

San Francisco did not dominate every statistical category. Instead, the 49ers were slightly better in several key areas:

• Passing efficiency
• Receiving production
• Field goal accuracy
• Third down execution
• Defensive consistency during critical moments

Those small advantages combined to produce a one point victory.

Arizona, meanwhile, demonstrated resilience throughout the contest. The Cardinals never allowed the game to become one sided, and their defensive effort kept pressure on San Francisco until the final possession.

From a coaching perspective, this matchup offers an excellent example of complementary football. Offence, defence, and special teams each contributed at different moments, showing why balanced teams often succeed over the course of a long NFL season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the September 21, 2025 game between the 49ers and Cardinals?

The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Arizona Cardinals by a final score of 16 to 15, improving their regular season record to 3 and 0.

Who led the passing statistics in the game?

Mac Jones led all quarterbacks with 284 passing yards, completing 27 of 41 passes with one touchdown and one interception. Kyler Murray completed 22 of 35 passes for 159 yards and one touchdown.

Who was the leading receiver?

Ricky Pearsall was the game’s leading receiver with 8 receptions for 117 yards. Christian McCaffrey also made a major impact by catching 10 passes for 88 yards.

Which player recorded the most tackles?

Mack Wilson Sr. led the Arizona Cardinals with 12 total tackles, while Fred Warner paced the San Francisco 49ers with 11 total tackles.

How did special teams influence the result?

Special teams played a decisive role. Eddy Pineiro converted all three field goal attempts, including a 51 yard field goal, while Arizona’s Chad Ryland finished 2 for 3 on field goals. That difference proved significant in a one point game.

What stands out most from the 49ers vs arizona cardinals match player stats?

The biggest takeaway is San Francisco’s advantage through the passing game. The 49ers produced 284 passing yards compared with Arizona’s 159, while also receiving a flawless kicking performance from Eddy Pineiro. Arizona performed well defensively and ran the ball effectively, but San Francisco executed more efficiently in the game’s key moments.

Conclusion

The 49ers vs arizona cardinals match player stats illustrate why football games cannot be judged by the final score alone. San Francisco earned a hard fought 16 to 15 victory through efficient quarterback play, outstanding receiving performances, dependable special teams, and disciplined defence. Mac Jones directed an offence that relied on precision rather than explosive plays, Ricky Pearsall delivered the game’s best receiving performance, and Christian McCaffrey showcased his value as a complete offensive weapon.

Arizona demonstrated plenty of positives despite the loss. Kyler Murray protected the football, Trey McBride contributed an important touchdown reception, and the Cardinals’ defence consistently challenged San Francisco throughout the contest. However, the inability to capitalise on every scoring opportunity ultimately proved costly.

From an analytical perspective, this matchup serves as an excellent example of how passing efficiency, field goal accuracy, and consistent execution in critical situations often outweigh advantages in individual statistical categories such as rushing yards. The numbers show two competitive teams separated by only the smallest of margins, making this one of the more instructive games of the 2025 NFL regular season.