Kyler Murray and Greg Dortch Dazzle in Arizona Cardinals’ Thrilling Season Finale Victory Against 49ers

Behind 242 passing yards and four touchdowns from quarterback Kyler Murray, the Arizona Cardinals defeated the San Francisco 49ers, 47-24, in their season finale on Sunday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale. This victory marks a decisive close to a challenging season.

For many Cardinals fans, the end of this season came as a relief after a rollercoaster performance. The team entered the Week 11 bye with promise, riding a four-game win streak, but ultimately lost five of their last seven games. The Christmas Eve game effectively showcased the struggles both teams faced, with many key players sidelined.

The Cardinals missed several starters, including wide receiver Michael Wilson and safety Jammie Robinson, while the 49ers played without their star quarterback Brock Purdy and others. As a result, both teams exhibited a slow start on offense, signaling the challenges of depth and execution.

The scoring kicked off with San Francisco’s Jake Moody landing a 51-yard field goal. Arizona quickly answered with a creative fake punt, which set up a 51-yard equalizer from kicker Chad Ryland. As the first quarter wound down, a crucial interception by Cardinals’ cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting fueled the Arizona offense. Murray capitalized on the opportunity, throwing a 23-yard touchdown to Greg Dortch, putting the Cardinals ahead 10-3.

Emotions rose in the second quarter; San Francisco’s Jauan Jennings was ejected following a scuffle, which momentarily shifted momentum back to the 49ers, who executed a quarterback sneak for a touchdown to tie the game. However, Murray responded by connecting with tight end Trey McBride for another touchdown, reclaiming the lead at 17-10.

San Francisco’s Dobbs then delivered a touchdown pass to Ricky Pearsall, leading to a tightly contested halftime score of 20-17 in favor of Arizona. Both teams traded touchdowns in the third quarter, with Murray finding Dortch again, extending the Cardinals’ score to 26-17, only for the 49ers to close the gap with another touchdown.

The game’s momentum shifted significantly in the fourth quarter. Arizona running back Michael Carter punched in a four-yard touchdown, asserting a nine-point lead. Shortly after, cornerback Kei’Trel Clark intercepted a Dobbs pass, allowing Murray to find rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. for yet another touchdown, pushing the Cardinals ahead 40-24.

With the game winding down, Arizona added a final touchdown via running back Tony Jones, solidifying their victory at 47-24. Murray’s impressive performance, marked by four touchdown passes, has placed him among the franchise’s all-time leaders for such games.

As the Cardinals conclude their season, attention now turns to the NFL Draft, where they hold the 16th pick overall. The team is looking to rebuild and improve as they head toward next season.

This season saw several standout performances, notably from Murray and rookie Harrison. Murray’s achievements tie him with franchise icons and underline a promising, albeit turbulent, future for the Cardinals.

The Cardinals will return in the fall, with excitement around their potential new lineup and strategies in place for improvement.