San Francisco 49ers: 3 Takeaways vs. Cardinals in Week 4

Still without a win, the San Francisco 49ers ran another NFC West opponent extremely close, here are our three takeaways from the loss in Arizona.

The San Francisco 49ers once again came agonisingly close to recording their first victory of the season, leading in overtime before suffering a heart-breaking 18-15 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. It was a familiar story for the 49ers, who have lost their last three games by a combined eight points having also run the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams extremely close.

The improvements made by this team remain evident, but are still to result in a victory. That could finally arrive in a winnable matchup with the Indianapolis Colts in Week 5, but here we look at the takeaways from a disheartening day for a team whose efforts are not being reflected by their record.

Penalties are a huge problem

While it is often an issue that affects teams as young as the 49ers, San Francisco has to get control of the problems the team is having with penalties. The 49ers were penalized 13 times for 133 yards on Sunday, with their infractions consistently putting Brian Hoyer and the offense in third-and-long situations.

San Francisco has established offensive talent in the likes of Carlos Hyde and Pierre Garcon, while rookies Trent Taylor, George Kittle and Matt Breida look the part. But while Hoyer has to take their blame for the offense’s failings, it is clear the Niners’ problems with discipline are having a significant impact on the unit’s fortunes.

Hoyer reverted to the norm, and the norm isn’t good

After a superb performance in the shootout loss to the Los Angeles Rams, Hoyer reverted back to what looks to be the norm for him this season, well-below par quarterback play.

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Hoyer was unable to lead the 49ers into the end zone, though he did have a touchdown pass to Breida called back for offensive pass interference, and that failure proved pivotal in sealing San Francisco’s fate as Larry Fitzgerald caught the game-winning touchdown in overtime after the visitors missed a chance to cap a long drive with a decisive six-pointer of their own.

San Francisco’s signal-caller was inaccurate throughout the game and missed numerous throws in the fourth quarter, completing just 48.98 percent of his passes while also tossing an interception.

He was also dreadful under pressure, completing just three of his 11 passes and taking three sacks when under duress, according to Pro Football Focus’ Refocused recap. This is quarterback play a team with aspirations of winning at least some games cannot afford and, as this transitional year develops, so must thoughts of giving the keys to rookie C.J. Beathard.

DeForest Buckner is an elite defensive lineman

The positive, after a dreadful Week 3 for Robert Saleh’s group, was the defense, which delivered its third extremely impressive showing in four games thanks in most part to the strength of its front. Ray-Ray Armstrong was excellent at linebacker and snagged an interception in the end zone, while the cornerback position appears a real problem, but the investment the 49ers have made in the defensive line paid its biggest dividends so far.

San Francisco took advantage of a wretched and injury-hit Cardinals offensive line to sack Carson Palmer six times and hit him on 16 occasions.

DeForest Buckner has racked up 22 quarterback pressures through the #49ers' first four games. 12 hurries, nine hits and a sack, per @PFF.
— Rob Lowder (@Rob_Lowder) October 2, 2017

Elvis Dumervil had a two-sack game as he surpassed the 100-sack mark for his career, Eli Harold also took down Palmer and first-round pick Solomon Thomas had his first career sack.

But the star of the show up front was unquestionably DeForest Buckner. The 2016 first-round pick had a sack, two hurries and three hits, according to PFF’s recap, batted a pass down at the line and had two run stops.

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Through four games Buckner has 22 pressures and, though the box score may not reflect it, he is playing like an elite interior defensive lineman. Time will tell if he gets the recognition he deserves.