2021 NFL Power Rankings Week 10: Cardinals, Titans overcome the odds
By Randy Gurzi
![Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (98) celebrates after sacking Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during the first quarter at SoFI Stadium Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021 in Inglewood, Calif.Titans Rams 038 Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (98) celebrates after sacking Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during the first quarter at SoFI Stadium Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021 in Inglewood, Calif.Titans Rams 038](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/a61286bdc01bfd1f254b97e48c52d668a20b65516179d47eec2c13f6436f56b3.jpg)
20. team. 42. . . Previous: 18th. San Francisco 49ers
Jimmy Garoppolo dropped 326 yards passing but it wasn’t enough as the San Francisco 49ers lost 31-17 to the Arizona Cardinals. Even without Kyler Murray, Colt McCoy and the Cards’ offense was too much for the Niners — and James Conner had 173 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns.
San Francisco also had other issues in this one. They were unable to block for Jimmy G who was sacked five times in the game. Turnovers were also a problem for them as Garoppolo had an interception while George Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk each lost fumbles.
As if that wasn’t enough, they had no help from the ground game Elijah Mitchell went for 36 yards in eight rushes but overall, they had just 39 yards on 11 attempts. The fact that they were trailing all afternoon played a huge part in this as they were trying to come from behind — and this team is not built for that.
Sitting at 3-5 now, the 49ers have had a rather disappointing season. Sure, they weren’t great in 2020 but with Garoppolo healthy again and Trey Lance behind him to develop for the future and fill in for the games Garoppolo is destined to miss, they were supposed to be contenders in the NFC West again. That hasn’t happened and there will be a lot of questions to answer after the season if they don’t get on a run quickly.