Cardinals vs 49ers

Cardinals vs 49ers: Pineiro’s Last-Second FG Seals 16–15 49ers Win — Bosa & Conner Injury Clouds Thriller

September 22, 2025

Eddy Pineiro boots a 35-yard walk-off as the 49ers edge the Cardinals 16–15 — McCaffrey shines, Nick Bosa and James Conner suffer injuries. Recap, injuries, how to watch.

Cardinals vs 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers escaped a tense divisional battle with the Arizona Cardinals 16–15 when kicker Eddy Pineiro drilled a 35-yard field goal as time expired; the win came at the cost of Nick Bosa (knee) and saw Cardinals’ starter James Conner carted off with a serious ankle injury.

Why Cardinals – 49ers mattered

This was a classic early-season divisional test with immediate implications:

  • NFC West positioning: Both teams entered Week 3 with high expectations — a divisional loss swings tiebreakers and shortens margin for error. San Francisco’s comeback preserved a perfect start.
  • Injury stakes: Losing star pass rusher Nick Bosa (possible knee injury) and Cardinals’ power back James Conner (expected long-term ankle injury) changes both teams’ outlooks and roster planning. Those are high-impact injuries.
  • Backup QB/role clarity: With Mac Jones starting for the 49ers this week and Kyler Murray leading the Cardinals, the game answered questions about depth, scheming and the run/pass balance for both offensive identities.

If you care about the division race, fantasy lineups, or the short-term playoff picture, this result and the injury news will be hot topics for days.

Final score & headline stats

  • Final: San Francisco 49ers 16, Arizona Cardinals 15.
  • Leaders: Mac Jones — 284 passing yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; Christian McCaffrey — 140 yards from scrimmage and a clutch 20-yard catch to set the game-winner; Kyler Murray — 159 passing yards and 1 TD to Trey McBride.
  • Kicker: Eddy Pineiro — 3 FGs (including 51-yard before halftime and the 35-yard walk-off).
  • Injuries: James Conner — severe ankle injury (expected to miss the season); Nick Bosa — knee injury being evaluated.

These numbers are the core — the rest of the article explains how the game arrived at that finish and what it means.

How the game unfolded — a detailed recap

First half — gritty, low-scoring chess match

Both defenses asserted themselves early. Field goals were the theme: Pineiro connected on a long 51-yard kick just before halftime that kept the 49ers in the scoring column while both teams struggled to generate consistent drives. The half ended in a tight, gritty pattern that foreshadowed a one-possession finish.

Third quarter — Titans trading blows

The teams traded possessions and field position in the third quarter. Mac Jones found rhythm with intermediate passing and Christian McCaffrey began to find seams, giving the 49ers momentum. Kyler Murray and Trey McBride answered with an efficient Cardinals look, keeping the game within reach.

Fourth quarter — safety, drama, and the final drive

Late in the fourth, a holding penalty in the end zone produced a safety that briefly put Arizona up 15-13 — an unusual swing that forced the 49ers to drive from their own territory. Mac Jones and Christian McCaffrey connected on a 20-yard gain that helped set up Pineiro’s last-second 35-yard attempt. The 10-play, 63-yard drive culminated in the walk-off that spared the 49ers a rare loss. Meanwhile, the Cardinals watched their running back James Conner exit after a severe ankle injury in the second half.

Key turning points & game-defining plays

  1. Eddy Pineiro’s 35-yard field goal as time expired — the decisive kick, the immediate headline, and the ending image of a clutch special-teams moment.
  2. 51-yard Pineiro field goal before halftime — a momentum keeper that prevented a Cardinals halftime lead. Big kickers swing games.
  3. Safety via in-end-zone holding — an unusual scoring play that shifted the late scoreboard and forced a pressure situation for both teams.
  4. James Conner’s ankle injury — removed a key offensive piece from Arizona and raised immediate questions about the Cardinals’ backfield plans.
  5. Nick Bosa’s knee issue — a potentially season-altering injury for the 49ers that created a somber mood in the locker room despite the win.

Those are the five most load-bearing moments — each changed playcall decisions and postgame outlooks.

Player deep dives — who mattered and why

Christian McCaffrey (49ers) — the two-way engine

McCaffrey had 140 yards from scrimmage and made a crucial 20-yard catch to set up the game’s final kicking opportunity. His presence in both the run and pass game put constant pressure on Arizona’s defense and his receiving burst was the single most important non-kicker play in the final drive.

Mac Jones (49ers) — accomplished backup performance

Jones completed 284 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Starting in place of an injured starter, Jones managed a clutch late drive, showed timing with his receivers, and handled pressure moments when the game hung in the balance. For a quarterback filling in, it was a credible, headline-worthy performance.

Kyler Murray & Trey McBride (Cardinals) — methodical but limited

Murray’s 159 passing yards and connection with Trey McBride for Arizona’s lone touchdown kept the Cards competitive, but the offense didn’t generate explosive volume. McBride’s catch was the only TD pass for Arizona and represented the best of their red-zone choreography.

Eddy Pineiro (49ers) — the clutch professional

Three field goals, including a 51-yard kick and the walk-off 35-yard winner: Pineiro was the deciding factor. Clutch kicking is often the difference in close games; Pineiro’s leg and accuracy secured the result.

Injuries & what they mean — Bosa and Conner headlines

Nick Bosa (49ers): Bosa left the game with a knee injury after an awkward play in the first quarter. Initial sideline checks were inconclusive and an MRI is pending — early reactions from teammates described the scene as a “real buzzkill,” and the team awaits final imaging to confirm whether an ACL or other structural damage occurred. Losing Bosa — a defensive cornerstone — would force the 49ers to rearrange pass-rush rotations and could change their defensive identity.

James Conner (Cardinals): The Cardinals’ workhorse suffered a severe ankle injury in the second half and was expected to miss the remainder of the season, according to initial reports. Conner’s absence will force Arizona to elevate depth, rework short-yardage schemes, and likely increase snaps for backups and committee options. The psychological blow to the Cardinals’ rushing plan is as significant as the tactical one.

Both injuries are immediate roster headaches and will affect game planning in short order — expect the teams’ medical reports and follow-up lists to be the dominant offseason stories in the coming week.

 

Tactical takeaways — what the coaches will fix

49ers (Kyle Shanahan and staff)

  • Adjust for pass-rush depth: If Bosa is out for an extended stretch, anticipate more rotation, more blitzing from linebackers, and potential additions from the waiver/backup pool. Shanahan will ask scheme tweaks to maintain pressure without Bosa’s consistent edge presence. (San Francisco Chronicle)
  • Sustain offense with McCaffrey: San Francisco will lean on McCaffrey’s two-way role more heavily, mixing runs and creative screens to keep the offense balanced and mask quarterback limitations.

Cardinals (Jonathan Gannon and staff)

  • Rework the ground game: Conner’s severe ankle injury forces the Cardinals to evaluate depth and perhaps pivot to more spread/tempo passing to compensate. Short-yardage and red-zone plays will be by committee.
  • Defensive pressure: Arizona must find ways to disrupt backup Mac Jones more consistently; schematic blitzes and improved edge contain will be front of mind. (CBSSports.com)

How to watch Cardinals vs 49ers (live & replays)

  • TV network (U.S.): Week 3’s Arizona vs San Francisco game aired on FOX (national window) — kickoff listings and local channels are on Fox’s regional schedule. For Sunday afternoon games, Fox is the primary network. (FOX Sports)
  • Live streaming: Streaming options include FOX Sports via provider authentication, and national streaming packages that carry Fox (varies by provider). For 49ers home games, the team’s website also lists “ways to watch” with official broadcaster links.
  • Replays & highlights: ESPN, NFL.com, 49ers.com and Cardinals’ official sites post condensed replays and highlight packages. Clips of Pineiro’s kicks and McCaffrey’s catches will appear shortly after the game on official YouTube channels.
  • International viewers: Check local rights holders — Peacock carries NBC SNF games, but Fox-broadcast games are licensed differently overseas. Use league/club official pages to confirm your country’s broadcast windows.

If you missed the live window, official condensed games and the NFL Game Pass are the safest, legal ways to catch full replays.

[Note: Images are collected from Instagram]

 

Betting & fantasy angles from the game

  • Fantasy: Christian McCaffrey’s usage made him a valuable fantasy asset; owners who started him gained a big edge. Kyler Murray’s limited volume suggested caution for fantasy QBs in low-scoring divisional matchups.
  • Betting: Pineiro’s late kick is a reminder that games can flip after a safety or special-teams play — bettors should monitor live in-game markets and the tease value of late-game props. For updated lines and future odds, consult sportsbooks like Oddsshark or Action Network. (Odds Shark)

Reaction & locker-room quotes

  • Kyle Shanahan (postgame): Praised the team’s resilience and singled out McCaffrey’s impact on key plays (paraphrased from team recap). The win was bittersweet given the injury concerns.
  • Cardinals staff: Expressed disappointment at the loss but emphasized the need to adjust after Conner’s injury; coaches vowed to address the personnel gaps.

For direct, verbatim quotes check team pressers on 49ers.com and Cardinals PR pages — both publish postgame transcripts and coach/player interviews.

What this means for the 49ers schedule & season

  • Standings: The 49ers improved to 3–0, sitting at the top of the NFC West early and showing resilience even when injury clouds gather. Early wins matter for playoff seeding and committee perception (if the CFP equivalent applied to NFL seeding).
  • Next up: San Francisco’s schedule (per official team calendar) shows upcoming matchups that will test depth — including a Week 4 home game and a tough stretch in October. Track injury reports closely before those contests. (49ers.com)

A 3–0 start is momentum, but losing cornerstone players (if confirmed) complicates October and November plans.

 

What this means for the Cardinals season

  • Short term: Arizona falls to a close loss; the early season remains fragile. Losing James Conner forces a rethink of the short-yardage and time-of-possession game plan.
  • Long term: If Conner is out for an extended period, the Cardinals could pivot roster moves — promoting from the practice squad, shifting workloads, or adding a veteran back via trade/waivers. The front office will be active in injury mitigation.

Five quick tactical lessons coaches will show on film

  1. Value of clutch special teams: Pineiro’s leg proved decisive — invest in reliable kickers and plan for pressure kicks.
  2. Run/pass balance with McCaffrey: Dual-threat backs expand playbook options and can mask QB transition weeks.
  3. Protect your stars: Injuries to game-defining players (Bosa/Conner) alter the core identity mid-season. Depth matters. (San Francisco Chronicle)
  4. Defense wins late: A safety and forced turnover set up a scenario where defense/special teams decided the game — situational defense is critical. (Reuters)
  5. Backup QB readiness: Mac Jones’ composed drive shows how hinge weeks need prepared backups. (ESPN.com)

Final thoughts — drama, decisions, and durability

Sunday’s Cardinals vs 49ers game delivered the kind of NFL drama that makes the regular season addictive: a last-second field goal, a safety that swung the scoreboard, and major injuries that overshadowed a hard-earned victory. For San Francisco, the win keeps the unbeaten start alive — but the mood in the locker room will be cautious until Nick Bosa’s MRI results return. For Arizona, the narrow loss stings more because of James Conner’s ankle — the team must pivot quickly to stay competitive.

Football is elastic: one kick can define a night, one MRI can define a season. This game had both. Expect long-term ripples across the NFC West standings and short-term roster moves as coaches and general managers respond. For fans who love drama, it couldn’t have been scripted better — even if the medical updates cast a long shadow.

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