The Arizona Cardinals take on the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. in NFL Week 18, Arizona’s final game of the season. Follow our in-game score updates and analysis below.
Kittle wins battle against Simmons
George Kittle’s touchdown catch in which he tiptoed and put both feet in the end zone against Cardinals’ Isaiah Simmons coverage, gave the 49ers a 21-13 lead with 19 seconds left. to do in the first half.
The Cardinals defense had a few moments, but the 49ers were able to move the ball for the most part. He goes to halftime with San Francisco up eight.
Arizona quarterback David Blough is 12 of 14 for 164 yards, 77 against AJ Green earlier in the game. He has an interception and touchdown pass.
A Cardinals touchdown, 6 for Clement
The Cardinals went 14-13 with 4:41 left in the second quarter, as Corey Clement ran for a 1-yard touchdown. It’s Clement’s first since 2020 when he was a Philadelphia Eagle.
Clement has eight rushing touchdowns and three receiving scores in six NFL seasons. He had spent time on the Cardinals’ practice squad earlier this season, but found himself leaving Sunday due to injury.
49ers go up 8
The 49ers capitalized on an interception deep in Cardinals territory, with Elijah Mitchell going five yards for a touchdown. San Francisco took a 14-6 lead with 12:07 left in the first half.
David Blough was trying to throw the pitch to Hollywood Brown, but knocked him down and was picked.
A bag for JJ Watt? Sure
Midway through the first quarter, JJ Watt fired Brock Purdy after overpowering 49ers guard Spencer Burford. That’s 11.5 sacks on the season for Watt. He recorded one in his last game in the NFL.
On the FOX show, Watt’s high school coach in Wisconsin had a video message for Watt. Watt bowed after the sack.
AJ Green scores on a fixed play
The Cardinals scored a touchdown after just 26 seconds of play. AJ Green caught a deep ball from David Blough and blasted his way down the field for his second TD of the season. If this is Green’s last game in the NFL, what a way out.
Our Bob McManaman suggested earlier this week that Green be the Cardinals’ top receiving target today, just to help him come out on a high. Still plenty of time to play for Green to have a great day.
As this was written, the 49ers walked quickly down the field and scored on former Gilbert Perry star Brock Purdy’s screen pass to Christian McCaffrey, who took him into the end zone. . 7-6 SF with 10:40 to go in the first.
Calendar of Cardinals 2023 established; Reworked the top of the draft
The Cardinals’ slate of opponents for 2023 is set following the results of Sunday’s first games. The team will play nine games on the road and eight at home. There will be a lot of trips with four trips in the Eastern time zone and two in the Central time zone.
Plus, Houston’s comeback win over Indianapolis ensures the Chicago Bears, who lost to Minnesota on Sunday, have moved into the No. 1 draft pick spot this offseason. The Texans fell to No. 2.
The Cardinals hold the fourth pick at the moment, but can move up to third or go down to sixth.
Inactive vs. 49ers
Here is the list of inactive players for the Cardinals. It should be noted that DeAndre Hopkins could have already played his last game in an Arizona uniform, should a trade as part of a potential Cardinals rebuild occur in the offseason.
Kelvin Beachum and Jalen Thompson become the only two players to start all 17 games for the Cardinals.
Installation Sunday in San Francisco
The Cardinals’ 2022 season is finally over, much to the relief of many. The team’s final at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., has several implications.
For the Cardinals, this is the last game for longtime NFL star defensive lineman JJ Watt, who announced his retirement a few weeks ago. Watt is the player to watch on Sunday for the Cardinals. He plays with so much emotion and it’s an emotional day for Watt and his family.
Wide receiver AJ Green spoke to reporters this week about his possible retirement. He also appeared in several Pro Bowls and was one of the best receivers in the NFL, and could also play his last game. This could also be the Cardinals’ last uniformed games for a number of future free agents.
Beyond that, it’s a waiting game to see what Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill decides regarding the employment status of head coach Kliff Kingsbury and general manager Steve Keim, as well. than Kingsbury assistant coaches. A loss will give Arizona its third-lowest winning percentage in 35 seasons at the state. Was the high number of dramas, mishaps and bad luck in 2022 enough for Bidwill to make drastic changes?
All that remains is to finish the season and watch what happens unfold.
For the 49ers, of course, the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs is on the line. They’ll need help getting it even if they win, but their path to an eventual Super Bowl in the Phoenix area next month begins as early as next weekend.
The game can be seen at 2:25 p.m. on Fox.
Chris Myers (play-by-play) and Robert Smith (analyst) will be in the broadcast booth.
Jen Hale will be the supporting reporter.
The 49ers are a 14-point favorite in the game.
The 49ers are at -1200 on the money line in the game.
Cardinals are +800.
The over/under of the match is fixed at 40 points.
Most sites predict the 49ers will win the game, as they have San Francisco covering the point spread.
Arizona Republic’s Jeremy Cluff predicted a final score of 49ers 27, Cardinals 10 in his NFL Week 18 picks and predictions.
Contact Jose Romero at Jose.Romero@gannett.com. Find him on Twitter at @RomeroJoseM.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Cardinals vs San Francisco 49ers NFL Week 18 score updates
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