Cardinals Nation, catch your breath — because that was an instant classic.
In a game that felt like a heavyweight title fight (with little to no defense played), the Arizona Cardinals went blow-for-blow with the San Francisco 49ers and walked out of Levi’s Stadium with a 48-45 overtime victory, staying undefeated at 3-0.
Kyler Murray delivered one of the greatest performances of his career, throwing for a jaw-dropping 518 yards and seven touchdowns. Even with three interceptions, Murray’s resilience and leadership kept the Cardinals’ offense firing when it mattered most.
Trey McBride was simply unstoppable, torching the 49ers’ secondary with 253 yards and five touchdowns on just six receptions. Every time Murray looked his way, it felt like magic. Trey Benson chipped in 96 yards on the ground, helping Arizona keep San Francisco’s defense off balance. On the other side of the ball, linebacker Cody Simon was a force, forcing two fumbles and keeping pressure on the Niners all afternoon.
But this game came down to pure drama. In overtime, San Francisco struck first, knocking through a field goal to take a 45-42 lead. Cardinals fans knew it would take a touchdown to win — and Murray delivered. Marching the offense downfield with poise, Murray unleashed a dime into tight coverage, and wideout Xavier Weaver made a surreal, highlight-reel catch in the end zone to seal the victory and silence the home crowd.
The 49ers put up a fight of their own — Brock Purdy threw for 464 yards and three scores, Christian McCaffrey added 60 yards and a touchdown on the ground, and Ricky Pearsall racked up 134 yards and two TDs. But in the end, Arizona’s firepower was just too much.
Three weeks, three different storylines, but one common thread: the Cardinals just keep finding ways to win. From Murray’s MVP-level brilliance to McBride’s dominance to Weaver’s heroics, this team looks every bit like a contender.
Cardinals Nation, the Birds are 3-0, flying high, and proving every week that they are must-watch football. Fans can expect another potential thriller next week as they get ready to clash with division rival, who is also undefeated – the Seattle Seahawks.
