Offense

A year ago, the Cardinals were one of the few teams to move the ball with some consistency against the 49ers. For three quarters on Sunday, that seemed so 2019. During that time, it was hard to tell what the Cardinals’ game plan wanted to accomplish because nothing worked. They opened the game with nine consecutive passes, most of them short. Only one was damaging, a 10-yard touchdown to Chase Edmonds, made possible by a blocked punt on the previous play. The run game didn’t look much better. The Cardinals increased the tempo in the second quarter, but quarterback Kyler Murray never seemed to find a rhythm as a passer. Penalties were one reason. Intentional grounding, holding, tripping and the like neutered too many possessions. So Murray used two other of special assets: his legs. Murray ran everywhere in the second half. Was it dangerous? Yes. Ill-advised? No. It was necessary. 

The Murray-to-DeAndre Hopkins combination was impressive in its debut. Hopkins caught 14 passes, tying the second highest total in franchise history, for 151 yards. And that was his total after a less-than-stellar passing day from Murray.

Defense

Cardinals coaches told us all preseason they would take it slowly with rookie Isaiah Simmons. Shoot, he might not even start given that they had veteran Derek Kennard ahead of him, But Simmons, the team’s first-round pick, started on Sunday. And it didn’t go well early. He was called for a horse collar tackle on his first play. On the seventh, he was faked out by running back Raheem Mostert, who took a short pass 76 yards for a touchdown. Otherwise, the defensive effort in the first half was solid. The 49ers failed to convert on their first nine third-down opportunities and got just three points out of two possession inside the Cardinals 10.

The defense lived precariously in the fourth quarter. After the Cardinals took their first lead of the day, the 49ers drove 78 yards to regain it. A pass interference call on linebacker Jordan Hicks negated an interception by Chris Banjo.

But the defense came through in the end. Cornerback Byron Murphy broke up consecutive passes after the 49ers advance to the Cardinals 16. 

Special teams

A winning effort, all around. Safety Zeke Turner blocked a punt that set up the Cardinals only touchdown. Zane Gonzalez made 1 of 2 kicks from beyond 50 yards. You can ask for more than that from beyond 50 yards, but you will get it only occasionally. Turner did miss a 49 yarder in the third quarter that would have tied the game.

Punter Andy Lee boomed a couple 50-yard punts and placed another inside the 10-yard line..

Contrary to listings on the depth chart, Andy Isabella returned neither kicks nor punts. The kick return job went to Chase Edmonds and Christian Kirk handled punt returns.

Reach Kent Somers at [email protected]. Follow him on twitter @kentsomers. Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.