The San Francisco 49ers somehow threw a 12-point fourth quarter lead to lose to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 8, here we look at three big takeaways.
The gut punches keep on coming for the San Francisco 49ers, whose miserable season continued in Week 8 as they threw away a fourth-quarter lead to lose to the lowly Arizona Cardinals.
San Francisco held a 12-point lead in the final frame, only to let it slip in a collapse that would have been unbelievable were it not completely in keeping with how this campaign has gone for the Niners.
The 18-15 loss sees the 49ers suffer an embarrassing season sweep at the hands of the Cardinals, and here we look at three takeaways from another depressing low in a season dominated by them.
49ers again fail to find finish line
Sunday’s loss marked the third time in 2018, following the Week 4 defeat to the Los Angeles Chargers and the Week 6 Monday Night thriller with the Green Bay Packers, that the Niners have failed to finish a close game.
With over 13 minutes left in the fourth quarter, it was difficult to envision the Niners throwing away what was basically a two touchdown lead. Their defense had performed excellently, regularly pressuring Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen — who was sacked three times and hit seven times — and forcing the turnovers that have largely eluded them so far this season.
Even after Larry Fitzgerald’s touchdown grab, the 49ers appeared in complete command when Fred Warner recovered a Jermaine Gresham fumble to give them the ball with under five minutes left and a five-point lead.
Yet the Niners could not execute a four-minute offense and the defense allowed the damn to burst in a finish that bore a striking resemblance to the Packers defeat. As in that game, a defensive player pressed into service by injury was picked on for the scores that turned around, Tyvis Powell victimized as Greg Mabin was two weeks ago as the safety gave up the touchdowns to Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk.
San Francisco had multiple opportunities to put a game they were in full control of away. The finger can be pointed at the defense, but questions must start to be asked of a quarterback who seemingly lacks the ability to guide his team home in the clutch.