Arizona Cardinals – San Francisco 49ers Game Balls

Sep 21, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton (5) throws during the first half against the San Francisco 49ers at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

There was a lot of good performances on both sides of the ball on Sunday, a game which saw the Arizona Cardinals defeat the San Francisco 49ers 23-14 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale.

A number of guys could be given the game ball from the Cards and I could easily pick a couple of guys from the Niners as well.  However looking at the overall impact to the result of the game, I was able to narrow it down to these players.

Offensive game ball – Drew Stanton QB, Arizona Cardinals

Stanton was able to once again move the ball without throwing an interception.  This week he threw two touchdown passes to receiver John Brown, who was also under consideration.  However, Stanton led the Cards to their first victory over the Niners since December 2011.  He went 18-33-244 yards with those two touchdowns.

Defensive game ball – Tony Jefferson CB, Arizona Cardinals

Jefferson was able to get the only Cards sack and the only sack overall in the game.  He led the Cards with 10 tackles.  His fourth-quarter sack up 20-14 and the Niners trying to drive to take the lead, his sack was very opportune.  It was a beautiful wrap of Niners quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

Special teams game ball – Tommy Kelly DE, Arizona Cardinals

Kelly had the Cards first blocked kick of the season and it couldn’t have come at a better time.  The Niners were down 20-14 and Niners kicker Phil Dawson was attempting a 45-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter.  The field goal would have put the Niners within a field goal.  Honorable mention goes to rookie kicker Chandler Catanzaro, who hit three more field goals to go 9-9 on the season but Kelly’s block was a game changer.