Arizona Cardinals Trail San Francisco 49ers 20-17 After 3
By Scott Allen
Arizona Cardinals defense starts third quarter by setting tone against the San Francisco 49ers
The Arizona Cardinals defense came out in the second half and held the San Francisco 49ers on the first drive. They got an initial first down but then had to punt back to the Cardinals. The Cardinals offense was able to move the ball on their first drive of the second half.
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The Cardinals played game management on their first drive. They ran the ball some with Kerwynn Williams but in the end it was another turnover for the Cardinals as quarterback Ryan Lindley threw yet another interception. He threw the ball into triple coverage after the Cards had crossed mid-field. It really amounted to a punt after a chop block penalty on the interception return as the 49ers started on their own 18-yard line.
Lindley has been hot and cold. He’s gotten away with some and not others. It doesn’t matter where the ball is turned over though, in this game the Cardinals can not afford turnovers.
After the turnover the 49ers started moving the ball down the field. Quarterback Colin Kaepernick ran wild down the field as the defense once again was stymied by a running quarterback. It ended in trouble with a 49ers touchdown giving them a 20-17 lead but not before one being called back due to a penalty and then the Cardinals giving a penalty right back to them.
The Cardinals have to play smarter in the fourth quarter if they want to win. Don’t be looking to strip balls, tackle people. They need to bring down Kaepernick instead of letting him run free. On offense they need to play mistake-free as well. No turnovers. Not on the road. Not against the San Francisco 49ers.