The Situation: SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The Cardinals faced a tough loss against the 49ers, falling 16-15. Missing from the action was James Conner, whose absence due to injury was felt deeply by the team.
Without him, the Cardinals struggled. They couldn’t close out the game, which was a recurring issue this season. Coach Jonathan Gannon noted the need to move on quickly. “We didn’t do enough,” he said, urging players to look ahead to their next game against the Seahawks.
Quarterback Kyler Murray echoed Gannon’s sentiment. “It felt like we let that one slip,” he said. The team had a chance to claim first place in the NFC West, but instead watched the 49ers (now 3-0) celebrate a last-minute field goal.
This pattern of not finishing games has been a trend for the Cardinals. Last week’s game ended in disappointment, and this week was no different. During a crucial drive, a missed connection between Murray and Zay Jones ended hopes for a comeback. “I thought he caught the ball,” Murray remarked about that play.
Defensive lineman Calais Campbell tried to rally the team late in the game. He forced a holding penalty that resulted in a safety, giving the Cardinals a short-lived lead at 15-13. “When you think you’ve got a game in hand, you want to win,” Campbell said, reflecting on the emotional toll of the loss.
The impact of Conner’s injury was apparent. After a promising nine-yard run, he suffered a serious injury. The team rallied around him as he was carted off the field. “He’s a captain and a leader. That takes the air out of you a little bit,” Campbell said, highlighting how crucial Conner is to the team.
Moving forward, Trey Benson will step into the spotlight, ready to take on the RB1 role. “I don’t have a choice,” he said, expressing determination to step up for his teammate.
While the Cardinals contained 49ers star Christian McCaffrey on the ground, he still made his mark with 10 catches for 88 yards, crucial in the final drive. Linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. stressed the need to finish games stronger, calling it a lesson learned.
Looking ahead, Coach Gannon is aware that preparation for the Seahawks must take priority. The Cardinals need to improve — their offense only managed 260 yards, marking the third time they’ve struggled to reach 300 yards this season. Missed chances and dropped passes have proven costly.
With their sights set on the next game, the Cardinals have room for improvement. This loss serves as motivation to do better. “You want that win,” Campbell said. “But it just means we won’t be undefeated this season.” Now, the focus shifts to Seattle, where the team hopes to regroup and show a different outcome.
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