1:00PM EST

DOME

• This was a poorly played game. Both teams were penalized frequently (23 total penalties). Both teams blocked poorly.
• The Niners defense had an exceptional gameplan. They tormented the Cardinals ineffective offensive line and Cardinals quarterback, Carson Palmer, sacking him six times and hitting him on sixteen other occasions. They brought constant pressure, including from corner and safety spot and dared the Cardinals to throw on them. The Niners defense would tighten up in the red zone and would hold the Cardinals to six points early on as the Cardinals had two early red zone possessions that resulted in an interception and a field goal. The 49ers did a good job of locking down Larry Fitzgerald (3 catches for 19 yards in regulation), but did have the game winning score in overtime.
• The Niners offense struggled again. This was the third game in which they failed to score a touchdown. Quarterback Brian Hoyer struggled (24-49, 234 yds, 1 INT) missed throws and it appeared he was not on the same page as his intended targets. Backup CJ Beathard was in for one snap when Hoyer left the game briefly. At some point, the team might have to consider starting Beathard. Arizona’s defense held tough against the 49ers and cornerback, Patrick Peterson erased Pierre Garcon for most of the game as he caught only 4 passes for 36 yards.
• Both team used personnel well. The 49ers rookie Trent Taylor is emerging as their primary weapon on 3^rd down and Hoyer threw to eight different receivers. Andre Ellington, Cardinals running back was big in the passing game for the Cardinals as he led the team with nine receptions.
• 1^st Big Decision of the Game: On the second drive of the game, the 49ers attempt a 4^th down conversion on 4^th and one and convert and get the first down. This was a good call. They couldn’t punt there due to the field positon.
• 2^nd Big Decision of the Game: San Francisco starts a drive in good field positon (their own 43) with :50 remaining and a timeout. On first down, they call a first down play don’t the middle of the field to Garcon. The pass is complete for a three yard gain but this takes up entirely too much time and was in the middle of the field. The Niners should have been using the sidelines to try and get completions and get out of bounds and stop the clock. After this three yard completion, and after twenty seconds comes off the clock, the 49ers attempt a deep pass on 2^nd down that falls incomplete. On third down, they attempt the same type of pass with the same result. The game goes to overtime.
• 3^rd Big Decision of the Game: In overtime, the 49ers won the toss and got the ball to start the period. The 49ers held the ball for 17 plays in total. They had the ball with 1^st and goal on the AZ, 8-yard line with 3:12 left to play. They ran twice for a total gain of 3 yards and on 3^rd down, Hoyer threw an incomplete to stop the clock with 2:28 left. The 49ers kick a field goal but the Cardinals get the ball back per overtime rules. This incomplete stoppage gave the Cardinals enough time to go the length of the field and win the game. Had the 49ers run the ball again and then attempted a field goal, much more time would have come off the clock and perhaps at least forced AZ to use a timeout or hurried their pace on the final game winning drive.