Week 9 at Cardinals

Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray was a legitimate problem for the 49ers’ defense, and Arizona gave San Francisco’s defense fits in their first meeting. On the other side of the ball, the 49ers couldn’t get their run game going and averaged only 3.3 yards per carry on 31 attempts for the game.

That meant it was up to Garoppolo to carry them to a win and he did in a big way – completing 28 of his 37 attempts for 317 yards and four touchdowns.

It was the first time all year Garoppolo looked comfortable and in total command of the offense. He hit four different receivers for touchdowns, and was dealing with a banged up Kittle at tight end.

Perhaps the play of the game was the one that iced the win for San Francisco. Leading 28-25 and facing a third-and-9 at the Cardinals’ 48, Garoppolo dropped to throw with just under two minutes left. The pocket collapsed and he stepped up through it looking to run. At the last minute he found backup tight end Ross Dwelley open to his left, and flipped a pass that way. Dwelley grabbed it and barreled ahead for 11 yards and a game-winning first down.

The Cardinals’ defense wasn’t great this year, but Garoppolo put the team on his back that night and did what a good quarterback should do against a not-so-good defense.