Baby steps in the Bay: Cardinals show grit, earn respect in loss to 49ers
Despite a 36-30 loss to the 49ers, a gritty performance in San Francisco gives the Cardinals and their fans a reason for optimism.
Jacoby Brissett #7 of the Arizona Cardinals looks on during the first quarter of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on September 27, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The Cardinals are still doormats and basement dwellers in the NFC West. But they left Levi’s Stadium on Sunday with a chunk of dignity and a modicum of respect.
Baby steps.
Their 36-30 loss was expected, especially on the road against a 49ers team that had been dominant in the first two weeks of the season. But after spotting the hosts a 14-0 lead, the Cardinals nearly flipped the tables.
In the end, it was a tale of the stars. Their quarterback (Brock Purdy) was better than ours (Jacoby Brissett). Their running back (Christian McCaffrey) was better than ours (Jeremiyah Love). Even their tight end (George Kittle) had the edge over Trey McBride on Sunday.
But not by much.
Love’s 90 yards on 21 carries was a sure sign that he’s capable of being the featured back, and ready to make an impact in the NFL. Michael Wilson’s 11 catches reignited his stellar connection with Brissett that marked the final nine games of the previous season. The much-maligned Marvin Harrison Jr. rebounded nicely from his poor performance in Week 2, providing three catches for 40 yards and a few moments of optimism.
The Cardinals played turnover-free football, dominated time of possession and held their own for much of the second half. The defense is more competitive than many expected. And yet, when the 49ers had to make a big play on Sunday, they made one.
There is much to clean up. The Cardinals allowed the opponent to score a touchdown on the opening drive for the third consecutive game. After promising to be among the most disciplined teams before the snap of the football, the Cardinals are committing way too many stupid penalties. Edge rusher Josh Sweat has yet to do much in 2026, contributing to the zero sacks the Cardinals had on Sunday.
But I would guess most Cardinals fans feel a little better about their team and the future than they did after their 24-point loss to the Seahawks, a team that just lost to the Commanders.
They say every rookie head coach gets a mulligan and a moral victory, a loss that feels like a step in the right direction. That’s what the Cardinals delivered on Sunday. They delivered proof that they’re good enough to beat the Giants next weekend in New Jersey.
Reach Bickley at dbickley@arizonasports.com. Listen to Bickley & Marotta weekdays from 6 a.m. – 10 a.m. on Arizona Sports 98.7.
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Comments
2 Comments
I understand that your job as a sports journalist here is to try and find something to talk about. However, the "they only lost by a little; they didn't get their butts kicked that badly" is getting old. You've been writing that for years. We had several years of hearing that under Gannon. And before that we had Kliff. I understand that not every team can win and not every team can make the playoffs, but 7/16 teams make the playoffs. So, if in a 16 year period, the Cardinals made the playoffs 6-8 times, that would be acceptable. However, in the last decade, they've made the playoffs once after dropping from 10-2 to 11-6 (where they couldn't even beat an eliminated Seahawks to clinch), got destroyed in that game, and have watched their division rivals to go Superbowl after Superbowl (since 2013, Seahawks have gone to 3 and won 2; 49ers have gone to 2; Rams have gone to 2 and won 1). I am sorry, but your argument of "they tried hard and didn't lose too badly" isn't going to keep me after this year. I've been paying for tickets for years, and I expect a decent year every once in a while.
Of course they're good enough to beat Scat and the NYG's next weekend. SMH...