San Francisco 49ers: 3 Takeaways vs. Cardinals in Week 9

The San Francisco 49ers dropped to 0-9 with a bruising 20-10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, here we look at three takeaways from the defeat.

The San Francisco 49ers endured another bruising afternoon as they remained winless after suffering a 20-10 defeat to the Arizona Cardinals in depressingly familiar fashion. With left tackle Joe Staley out through injury, quarterback C.J. Beathard — with the newly acquired Jimmy Garoppolo on deck on the sideline — somehow managed to survive behind a porous offensive line, despite being on the receiving end of five sacks and 16 hits.

But Beathard could not end a painful losing streak. A late red zone interception by Karlos Dansby doomed the 49ers to defeat in a contest in which safety Jaquiski Tartt suffered a broken arm, as a team decimated by injuries saw multiple other players hurt.

Here we look at three takeaways as the 49ers dropped to 0-9.

3. Missed opportunities prove costly

What should frustrate most about this latest loss is that the 49ers again had opportunities to prevail, but were unable to capitalise on advantageous situations on offense. A holding penalty after a 55-yard bomb from Beathard to Marquise Goodwin left the 49ers to settle for a field goal instead of potentially tying the game at 7-7 at the end of the first quarter.

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In addition to the poor play up front, Beathard was not helped by a maddening collection of drops from wide receivers that stalled drives and his interception, which bounced off tackle Trent Brown’s head and into the waiting arms of Dansby, after Adrian Peterson had handed the 49ers a late opportunity to turn the tide, was indicative of a game where San Francisco simply wasted too many chances.

Peterson’s 37-carry, 159-yard effort on the ground for Arizona helped the Cardinals control the ball, but this would have been a very different game had the Niners executed better in key moments.

2. Carlos Hyde needs the ball more

As well as healthy players, there are two things the San Francisco offense could use more of: balance and Carlos Hyde. The 49ers’ gameplan on Sunday was not balanced. Beathard attempted 51 passes while San Francisco ran the ball just 17 times, with three of those being carries by the quarterback.

Starting running back Hyde had 12 carries for 41 yards but was also extremely useful in the pass game, catching the ball nine times for 84 yards. It doesn’t help that the Niners keep falling behind in games but this offense needs to run the ball more to be successful. Hyde is the 49ers’ best offensive player and continues to excel when handed the ball, getting him more involved is essential if this offense is to put the team in winning positions.

1. Reuben Foster headlines strong rookie showings

The main silver-lining for the 49ers came from the rookies, and first-round linebacker Reuben Foster in particular. Foster was able to finish a game for the first time in his injury-plagued maiden season, and it was quite a showing from the former Alabama star. He led the team with 14 total tackles and registered three run stops, according to Pro Football Focus, producing the kind of display he was known for in Tuscaloosa.

Beathard, despite being battered, had his best game since his debut in Washington. He could still serve to improve at sensing pressure, but he improved at getting the ball out quicker as the game went on and flashed mobility and arm strength, overthrowing a couple of receivers on downfield pass while also hitting Goodwin deep.

Undrafted free agent Kendrick Bourne was one such pass-catcher he missed on a deep attempt that would have gone for six. Bourne was able to get himself open on a day where he had two catches for 39 yards and deserves to see more targets going forward.

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Safety Adrian Colbert saw extended time in Tartt’s absence and almost hauled in a spectacular interception. Colbert, who showcased his speed and range on that play as he tracked the ball from center field, now figures to be the starter at free safety down the stretch.

And, with fullback Kyle Juszczyk (neck), wide receiver Trent Taylor (ribs), tight end Cole Hikutini (knee) and linebacker Elijah Lee (knee) all sustaining injuries, more players will likely need to step up as the 49ers seek to end an arduous season with at least one victory.