Cardinals take advantage of fake punt, interception vs. 49ers
Jan 5, 2025, 3:31 PM | Updated: 9:06 pm
The Arizona Cardinals showed off their end-of-season creativity to get on the board Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers, executing a fake punt in the first quarter.
Running back DeeJay Dallas took the direct snap on fourth-and-four from the Arizona 43-yard line, faked one way and exploded through the hole for a first down.
Dallas gained 22 yards on the play, reaching the San Francisco 35-yard line.
The offense stalled, but Dallas’ run set up kicker Chad Ryland for a 51-yard field goal, which he converted to tie the game 3-3.
FAKE PUNT!!! @AZCardinals
📺: #SFvsAZ on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/LBr5UGm9Dp— NFL (@NFL) January 5, 2025
The Cardinals have made fake punts an annual occurrence.
Last year, punter Blake Gillikin ran for a first down against the Los Angeles Rams, and in 2022, running back Jonathan Ward made a ridiculous catch off a Dallas Cowboy’s helmet to complete a pass from punter Andy Lee.
Cardinals take advantage of another short field
The Arizona offense quickly received another opportunity with a short field, as cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting intercepted 49ers quarterback Josh Dobbs on San Francisco’s next drive.
The Cardinals started at the 49ers’ 45-yard line and found pay dirt on a 23-yard catch-and-run from Greg Dortch.
The extra point put Arizona ahead 10-3 in the second quarter.
Greg Dortch jukes and turns on the wheels for an @AZCardinals TD! 💨
📺: #SFvsAZ on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/5E0Zgulnoi— NFL (@NFL) January 5, 2025
Catch the rest of the game on 98.7 and the Arizona Sports app.
