Arizona Cardinals vs 49ers Match Player Stats: Murray’s 4-TD Masterclass Leads Cardinals to Overtime Thriller

Date: August 24, 2026
Venue: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
Attendance: 63,400
Final Score (OT): Arizona Cardinals 34 – San Francisco 49ers 31

The Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers delivered a Week 3 classic that had everything – explosive offense, defensive turnovers, and a game-winning drive in overtime. Kyler Murray threw for 327 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Brock Purdy matched him nearly step-for-step with 298 yards and 3 scores. But it was a clutch 47-yard field goal from Matt Prater as time expired in OT that sealed the 34-31 victory for the home side.

This game was a statistical showcase on both sides. The Cardinals’ offense averaged 6.8 yards per play, while the 49ers controlled the clock with a 34:12 time of possession advantage. Yet, it was Arizona’s efficiency in the red zone (4-for-4) and a critical fumble recovery in the fourth quarter that shifted the momentum. Let’s break down the arizona cardinals vs 49ers match player stats in full detail.

Match Overview Table

Core Match Statistics Overview

Team Stats Table

Passing Efficiency – Murray’s Precision

• Kyler Murray completed 28 of 38 passes (73.7%) with 4 TDs and 1 INT, posting a 125.8 passer rating.
• Purdy was 26-for-40 (65%) with 3 TDs and 1 INT, but his 89.6 rating reflected two costly red-zone misfires.

Ground Game – Both Teams Struggle

• The Cardinals managed just 75 rushing yards on 22 carries (3.4 YPC), with James Conner leading at 52 yards.
• San Francisco’s running back committee (Jordan Mason + Elijah Mitchell) combined for 89 yards on 24 carries – respectable but not dominant.

Turnover Battle – The Difference

• Arizona forced two turnovers (one fumble recovery, one interception) and converted them into 10 points.
• The 49ers’ only turnover was a Purdy interception in the third quarter, but a Christian McCaffrey fumble in the fourth quarter proved catastrophic.

Period-by-Period Analysis

1st Quarter – 49ers Strike First

• Purdy engineered a 12-play, 75-yard drive capped by a 6-yard rushing TD by McCaffrey.
• Murray responded with a 9-play, 70-yard drive, finding Michael Wilson for a 22-yard touchdown.
• A 53-yard field goal from Jake Moody gave the 49ers a 10-7 lead after one.

2nd Quarter – Cardinals Take Control

• Murray hit Marquise Brown on a perfectly placed 34-yard corner route to put Arizona up 14-10.
• The 49ers answered with a 15-yard strike to George Kittle, reclaiming the lead at 17-14.
• Matt Prater nailed a 51-yard field goal as the half expired to tie the game at 17-17.

3rd Quarter – Defensive Stalemate

• The only points came from a Prater 42-yard field goal and a Purdy-to-Aiyuk 18-yard touchdown.
• Both defenses stepped up – the Cardinals forced a turnover on downs, while the 49ers intercepted Murray but failed to score.

4th Quarter – Back-and-Forth Madness

• Murray threw his third TD – a 12-yard scramble-drill pass to Trey McBride – to make it 27-24 Cardinals.
• Purdy responded with a beautiful 28-yard touchdown to Deebo Samuel, reclaiming the lead at 31-27 with 2:12 left.
• Murray orchestrated a 6-play, 62-yard drive, hitting Rondale Moore for a 9-yard touchdown with 0:22 on the clock to force overtime.

Overtime – Prater’s Heroics

• The Cardinals won the toss and drove to the 49ers’ 29-yard line.
• Matt Prater’s 47-yard field goal split the uprights, giving Arizona a dramatic 34-31 victory.

Detailed Team Player Statistics

Arizona Cardinals Player Statistics

Murray’s Impact: Kyler Murray was surgical – his 73.7% completion rate and 4 touchdowns showcased elite decision-making. He consistently found the open receiver, especially against the 49ers’ zone coverage, and his mobility added a dimension that kept San Francisco’s defense off-balance.

Defensive Standouts:
• Zaven Collins: 9 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble
• Budda Baker: 11 tackles, 1 pass breakup
• Jalen Thompson: 1 interception, 2 passes defended

San Francisco 49ers Player Statistics

Purdy’s Resilience: Brock Purdy showed poise under pressure, delivering multiple clutch throws. His 298 yards and 3 touchdowns were impressive, but the interception and fumble (by McCaffrey) in critical moments proved costly.

Defensive Standouts:
• Fred Warner: 14 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 pass breakup
• Nick Bosa: 2 sacks, 4 QB hits, 1 forced fumble
• Charvarius Ward: 1 interception, 3 passes defended

Statistical Leaders Summary Table

Analytical Breakdowns – Why They Won / Why They Lost

Why the Cardinals Won

Red Zone Perfection

Arizona went 4-for-4 inside the 20-yard line, scoring touchdowns on every trip. That efficiency is unheard of against a top-5 defense like San Francisco’s.

Turnover Margin

The Cardinals won the turnover battle 2-1. Their defense forced a fumble and an interception, converting those into 10 critical points.

Clutch Execution in Overtime

Murray completed all 4 of his passes in OT, covering 38 yards, setting up Prater’s game-winner. The offense moved with calm precision when it mattered most.

Why the 49ers Lost

Sloppy Ball Security

Christian McCaffrey’s fumble in the fourth quarter – his first of the season – gave Arizona the ball at midfield, leading to a go-ahead touchdown. That single play shifted the win probability by 18%.

Inconsistent Red Zone Finishing

The 49ers settled for a field goal on one red zone trip and failed to convert a 4th-and-goal from the 3-yard line in the third quarter. Those missed opportunities proved fatal.

Penalties at Critical Moments

San Francisco committed 8 penalties for 75 yards, including a costly holding call that negated a 40-yard gain in the fourth quarter.

Historical Context & Advanced Insights

Season Series Breakdown (2026)

The Cardinals now lead the season series 1-0. Historically, these two teams have split their last 10 meetings, with home-field advantage being a significant factor – the home team has won 7 of the last 10.

Advanced Statistical Insights

Assist-to-Field Goal Ratio (Unofficial): The Cardinals converted 24 first downs into 34 points – an efficiency rate of 1.42 points per first down, well above the league average (1.18). This was driven by Murray’s ability to find the end zone rather than settling for field goals.

Passer Rating Under Pressure: Murray posted a 112.3 rating when blitzed (9-of-12, 124 yards, 2 TDs). Purdy, by contrast, had a 78.6 rating under pressure (6-of-14, 72 yards, 0 TDs, 1 INT). The Cardinals’ offensive line held up better against the 49ers’ famed pass rush, allowing only 2 sacks compared to San Francisco’s 3 allowed.

EPA per Play (Expected Points Added): Arizona averaged +0.18 EPA per play, while the 49ers posted a -0.02 – a significant gap that reflects the turnover impact and red-zone efficiency.

Game Implications & Key Lessons

What This Means for the Cardinals

• Playoff Momentum: Starting 2-1 in a tough NFC West gives Arizona early breathing room.
• Murray’s MVP Candidacy: With 9 TDs and only 2 INTs through three games, Murray is firmly in the MVP conversation.
• Defensive Resilience: Forcing two turnovers against a high-powered offense is a statement for defensive coordinator Nick Rallis.

What This Means for the 49ers

• Ball Security Must Improve: McCaffrey’s fumble and Purdy’s INT were uncharacteristic – these need to be cleaned up immediately.
• Red Zone Play-Calling: Kyle Shanahan will need to dial up better designs inside the 20.
• Injury Concerns: The 49ers lost two defensive backs during the game, exposing their secondary depth.

Key Lessons from the Match

• ✅ Efficiency beats volume – the Cardinals scored on every red zone trip, the 49ers did not.
• ✅ Turnovers are the great equalizer – Arizona’s +1 margin made the difference in a 3-point game.
• ✅ Clutch quarterback play matters – Murray was flawless in OT; Purdy was good but not great.
• ✅ Home-field advantage is real – the crowd noise forced two false starts on San Francisco.
• ✅ Special teams win games – Prater’s 47-yarder in OT was his second game-winner of the season.
• ✅ Don’t abandon the run – both teams ran effectively but abandoned it in key moments; balance is still king.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the Arizona Cardinals vs San Francisco 49ers game?

The Arizona Cardinals won the game 34-31 in overtime on a Matt Prater 47-yard field goal.

What were Kyler Murray’s stats in this game?

Kyler Murray completed 28-of-38 passes for 327 yards, with 4 touchdowns and 1 interception. He also rushed for 23 yards.

What were Brock Purdy’s stats vs the Cardinals?

Brock Purdy went 26-of-40 for 298 yards with 3 touchdowns and 1 interception, adding 18 rushing yards.

Who was the leading receiver in the Cardinals vs 49ers game?

Marquise Brown led all receivers with 8 catches for 112 yards and 1 touchdown for the Cardinals.

How did the 49ers lose despite out-possessing the Cardinals?

The 49ers held the ball for 34 minutes compared to Arizona’s 25, but they lost the turnover battle (2-1) and were only 60% in the red zone, while the Cardinals were perfect (100%).

What was the attendance for the Cardinals vs 49ers game?

The game was played at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, with an attendance of 63,400.

Conclusion

The Arizona Cardinals vs 49ers matchup was a masterclass in offensive execution and defensive opportunism. While both quarterbacks played at an elite level, it was Kyler Murray’s red-zone precision and the Cardinals’ ability to force critical turnovers that ultimately decided the outcome. San Francisco’s struggles in the red zone and a costly fumble proved too much to overcome, even with a dominant time-of-possession advantage.

For the Cardinals, this win solidifies their status as legitimate NFC contenders. For the 49ers, the loss highlights areas – ball security and situational execution – that must be addressed before their next divisional clash. One thing is certain: if these two teams meet again in the playoffs, the arizona cardinals vs 49ers match player stats will once again be the most discussed numbers in the NFL.