The 49ers made a bold move by replacing kicker Jake Moody, who had struggled in previous games. On Sunday, they found success with Eddy Pineiro, who nailed a 35-yard field goal to clinch a 16-15 victory over the Cardinals. This win pushes San Francisco to a perfect 3-0 for the season.
Late in the game, Arizona briefly held a 15-13 lead after a holding penalty against the 49ers in their end zone. Despite that, quarterback Kyler Murray and the Cardinals couldn’t maintain control. A crucial third-and-9 pass to Zay Jones was intercepted, giving the 49ers a fresh opportunity with just under two minutes left.
Starting in place of the injured Brock Purdy, quarterback Mac Jones performed admirably. He connected on multiple passes, including a pivotal 20-yard screen to Christian McCaffrey, putting the team in prime scoring position at Arizona’s 16-yard line. Jones managed the clock well, spiking the ball to set up Pineiro’s winning kick without needing to use a timeout.
Interestingly, Cardinals’ head coach Jonathan Gannon chose not to call a timeout to try and unsettle the kicker. Pineiro held his nerve and delivered the game-winner, sealing the match for San Francisco.
While the 49ers struggled on third downs, converting just 2 of 10 attempts, their offense was efficient overall, racking up 355 total yards and 19 first downs. Mac Jones threw for 284 yards, including one touchdown and one interception. McCaffrey contributed significantly, rushing for 52 yards on 17 carries and catching 10 passes for 88 yards. Ricky Pearsall was also impressive with 117 receiving yards.
For the Cardinals, Kyler Murray completed 22 of 35 passes for 159 yards and a touchdown. Unfortunately, running back James Conner was carted off with an ankle injury, leaving rookie Trey Benson to lead in rushing yards with 42 yards on 10 carries. Marvin Harrison Jr. added three catches for 44 yards, but the team struggled to find momentum.
Cardinals kicker Chad Ryland made field goals of 34 and 28 yards but missed a longer attempt early in the game, which could have shifted momentum.
Now undefeated, the 49ers are at the top of the NFC West and will face the 2-1 Jaguars next week. Meanwhile, the 2-1 Cardinals have a quick turnaround, playing the Seahawks on Thursday night.
This game showcases how crucial kickers are in tight matchups. Recent surveys show that fan confidence in kickers can fluctuate greatly based on their recent performances. In fact, a Pro Football Focus report indicates that teams with reliable kickers tend to win close games more often. As the season continues, both teams will be looking to build consistency in their kicking game as they pursue playoff spots.
