The Cardinals dealt away Josh Dobbs a year ago
Sunday’s season finale with the Cardinals is a bittersweet affair as the 49ers wrap up a disappointing 2024 season in Arizona. On the one hand, it may be a relief for the season to be over, but I’m sure the team wishes they had qualified for January football. Arizona’s season is also disappointing, as the team started hot before collapsing into playoff elimination.
Week 18 does have a few intriguing storylines. Yes, Brock Purdy will miss the finale, but let’s look at some things to watch for on Sunday.
Josh Dobbs Revenge Game
Revenge games are by far my favorite narrative for the NFL. In 2023, Dobbs revived his career in Arizona, filling in for the injured Kyler Murray before being traded to Minnesota to fill in for an injured Kirk Cousins. Now, Dobbs has a chance to make a statement to the NFL, and who better to do it against than Arizona?
In eight games last season for the Cardinals, Dobbs finished with 1,569 passing yards, eight touchdowns, five interceptions, 258 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns, and a 62.8 completion percentage. Sunday’s game offers a revenge game chance for Dobbs and an opportunity to prove his worth to the league.
George Kittle vs. Trey McBride
Sunday’s game will feature the two NFC Pro Bowl representatives at the tight end position. McBride has been sensational in his second season, while Kittle is on pace for the most efficient season of his career.
Their two seasons are so close statistically, but a closer look will show how good Kittle has been in 2024. McBride leads Kittle by two receiving yards. However, McBride has 28 more catches and 39 more targets.
McBride – 104 receptions, 1,081 yards, 10.4 per reception, 1 TD, 86.2 offensive grade, and 89.4 receiving grade.
Kittle – 76 receptions, 1,079 yards, 14.2 per reception, 8 TD, 92.4 offensive grade, and 92.6 receiving grade.
Additionally, according to SIS Data Hub, Kittle leads all pass catchers with total points earned (52). McBride is second with 37 total points earned. SIS defines total points earned as “The total of a player’s EPA responsibility on targets using the Total Points system that distributes credit among all players on the field for a given play. For receivers, this includes accounting for offensive line play, off-target passes, dropped passes, and broken tackles.”
Draft Position
The 49ers can’t do any better than the 11th pick, which they are currently on pace for. Arizona sits at 14th with a 7-9 record. San Francisco has been leading an “elegant tank” by competing as hard as it can. I believe Arizona is competing also, but it will be interesting to see how the result of this game will change the current draft order for the 2025 NFL Draft.
Players are trying to put together good tape to continue working, coaches are trying not to get fired, and cultures are trying to be set or maintained for the future. Given the people who want to continue working in the NFL, the idea of “tanking” just isn’t real.