Arizona Cardinals start slow, finish big with 33-21 win over San Francisco 49ers

The Arizona Cardinals needed a win, there were no two ways around it. You can say that this game was not a “must win” but through one quarter of the season, the Arizona Cardinals did not look like Super Bowl contenders.

Despite no Carson Palmer, despite having a short week and having to travel to San Francisco against the rival 49ers, the Arizona Cardinals got what they needed the most, a win with a 33-21 blowout of the 49ers.

The game turned when Chandler Jones tipped a Blaine Gabbert pass and Calais Campbell picked it off.

On the very next play, Drew Stanton found the ageless one, Larry Fitzgerald for a touchdown.

Oh by the way, what a great performance from David Johnson, who continues to stake his claim to being the best running back in the NFL.

Despite a slow start offensively, Bruce Arians continued to show trust in Drew Stanton, who kept good care of the ball and allowed his hall of fame wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald to win for him.

The defense rose to the occasion as Markus Golden and Calais Campbell finished with two sacks each on the day, Kevin Minter with 1.5 sacks and the defense as a whole finished with seven on the night.

They also held Carlos Hyde in check all game, keeping the 49ers workhorse to 3.5 yards per carry, while also intercepting Blaine Gabbert two times.

It was a much needed win for the Arizona Cardinals, who now get to 2-3 on the year and get an extra day off before they take on the New York Jets on Monday Night Football.

Great team win, great performances from your best players on offense, David Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald as well as a fantastic team effort on defense.

Oh... Drew Stanton is now 6-3 as a starting quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals.