Plenty of blame for the Cardinals blunder, but the defense has been a growing issue
It’s 4th and 5. Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray throws a floater off his back foot to someone open enough to catch the ball.
Kyle Shanahan said, “I thought Kyler made a hell of a play. But those are the plays you’ve got to stop to win these, especially when it’s tight like that.”
The 49ers defense stays on the field again, largely thanks to the 49ers offense’s turnover issues against one of the worst defenses in the league.
The Cardinals went on to win. 24-23
Last week, we asked your opinions on San Francisco 49ers Defensive Coordinator Nick Sorensen. With just one game after that question, the 49ers coughed up a 13-point lead against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday.
If there’s anything to take from this team, it’s that they can’t finish. Something concerning in the 2021 season (yet the 49ers could hang on most of the time) and something really nagging in Kyle Shanahan’s earlier years with the team.
Nick Bosa believes the lack of adjustments has cost the 49ers:
“I think in all of our losses, the preparation we’ve had has been great. But teams are playing us different, and doing things differently. We need to adjust a little better. Just showing different looks than what we were looking at on tape. Just gotta adjust.”
Yes, the offense shoulders a lot, if not the majority, of the blame for Sunday. They couldn’t execute in the red zone, notably with Brock Purdy taking a sack and Jordan Mason fumbling.
Yet again, the offensive line was porous when it mattered. While it gave us highlight reels of Brock Purdy scampering, seeing defenders run free still isn’t exactly the best thing. The line collapsed far too much, allowing tipped balls, both of which were intercepted, including the game-winner.
But 13-point lead. A 13-point lead in the half. A lot of this goes to the defense. A defense helmed by Nick Sorensen and assisted by Brandon Staley.
A defense that allowed a zone read play to let Kyler Murray scamper into the end zone. A defense that could have gotten off the field on 4th and 5, but instead let Murray throw a wobbler off his backfoot to a defender wide open. A defense that gave Cardinals running back James Conner life in the second half, because, reasons.
If you want to blame the 49ers’ offense for this, it’s a fair take. The 49ers’ defense is still a part of the problem. A larger part of the problem depends on who you ask. Unlike the offense, they’ve been a part of the problem in each of the three losses. Even special teams haven’t received that honor.
No, this does not absolve the offense from blame, nor does it excuse the fact that the 49ers’ special teams have been abysmal so far.
The defense has shown it can’t be depended on. This time, the 49ers’ special teams didn’t have a hand in that pot. In fact, they were the ones almost putting the game out of reach in the first half.
So the 2024 49ers? They can’t finish. There’s your identity. A team with amazing offensive potential that cannot have a down day or else you let the defense into the picture. Are you going to be confident when that happens?
Let’s take a look at this:
Week 1: The offense managed to take advantage of the New York Jets defense, and the “new” 49ers defense adjusted. You can’t tell anything by Week 1. Chip Kelly’s first game as 49ers coach was a blowout of the Rams in Week 1. The 49ers only won one other game after that.
Week 2: The 49ers faced a defensive battle against the Vikings but allowed Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold to go 17/26, including a 96-yard touchdown from the Vikings’ endzone. While the defense does garner turnovers, it still has issues on third down. At this point, opponents convert 70 percent of them.
Week 3: The 49ers defense let Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford convert third down after third down in the second half. Special teams let the Rams back into it with a mistake. After the miscue, the 49ers allowed the Rams to kick the field goal to win.
Week 4: The New England Patriots. Brock Purdy blew up, so no need to worry, D.
Then you get to Week 5. A week where the offense’s red zone issues are on full display. A week where everyone, including Brock Purdy are having a bit of a down day (though he did have some nice scampering) and they need the defense to hold.
And once again, the defense is a part of the problem.
And before you say the offense was not good on Sunday and blame should be shouldered squarely there, I’ll remind you: 13 points. Sorry, 49ers defense. Sorry, the offense was having a down day and was forced to depend on the defense to hold a 13-point lead. If it was three points, seven points, even 10 points, there’s a different discussion. Thirteen points against the Arizona Cardinals. It’s a middle-of-the-road offense. Well, until they ran into the 49ers.
Yes, momentum is a real thing. Yes, not scoring a single point for a half is asking an awful lot of any defense. Yes, we’re probably getting far too critical and asking too much.
But, also, yes, we want to see a championship-caliber 49ers team. Based on what we’ve seen, specifically by the defense — this aint it.
The Arizona Cardinals are not the Kansas City Chiefs. The 49ers are in this 2-3 predicament from some earlier season miscues. Injuries don’t help. If the 49ers are a championship-caliber team with Super Bowl aspirations, then Sunday, the defense should have been up to the task.
4th and 5. Floater.
Overall, the 2024 San Francisco 49ers have finally found an identity. One that has been undecided for a long time. They can’t finish, and the defense seems to be involved consistently. Whether they are fairly or unfairly put into rough spots, it’s difficult to have any confidence they can go out and win the game.
Before Sunday, it was the offense that kept the 49ers in these games for the most part, despite mistakes of their own. But the offense has its own issues, namely the red zone, and on Sunday, it was in full display. Many of you may have thought the game would ironically come down to missing Jake Moody, who left due to an ankle injury. That situation never had a chance as Brock Purdy’s pass got tipped two plays into the 49ers’ final series of the game and intercepted. Two plays earlier than I predicted.
So, an offense having red zone issues combined with a defense getting a record of letting big miscues cause unacceptable touchdowns. Throw in the 49ers’ knack for special teams misfires, and you have a team watching football from home when January hits.
To blame Sunday’s loss on the defense entirely is unfair. Two interceptions and a fumble are a recipe for a glorious loss. And the offense had a firm hand in choking things away. In many ways, putting the blame on them squarely is probably the more accurate take.
But again: 4th and 5 and a floater pass.