49ers at Arizona Cardinals Play of the Game Poll

When comparing the stat sheets the Arizona Cardinals matched up well against the San Francisco 49ers. Each team accumulated four sacks, the Cardinals gave up less penalties and penalty yards (AZ 7-51 to SF 10-80), Arizona passed for 290 yards to the 49ers 232 yards, and the Cardinals had 16 first downs to the 49ers 15. The two stats that stand out most in the loss is the third down efficiency AZ was 2-14 (14%), while the 49ers were 6-12 (50%), and the 49ers were able to rush for 113 yards on 29 attempts to Arizona's seven yards on nine attempts.

But through the struggles of the offense the team played with character and fought until the very last whistle. Larry Fitzgerald had the ball on 4th and goal with seconds dwindling off the clock and made a valiant effort to score trying to push through three defenders only to come up half a yard short. That play signified not only his personal dedication and fight but also the mentality of the team to take this opportunity and find what works, play for the moral victory as the Cardinals will play the 49ers again later this season.

Daryl Washington racked up two sacks, one of which set up a 3rd and 23 in the 1st quarter.

Darnell Dockett sacked Alex Smith for a loss of 10 yards setting up 3rd and 19 at the end of the 3rd.

And last, but not least LaRod Stephens-Howling had a monster 24 yard gain on the first play the Cardinals had set up.

Even in a bitter loss to a division opponent there are still the bright spots that show us that the 4-0 team is still in there. They just need to make the types of adjustments earlier than the second half to play 60 minutes of football instead of 20.