A Decisive Quarter and Purdy's Precision
Brock Purdy completed 15 of 27 passes for 297 yards and four touchdowns, leading the San Francisco 49ers to a 36-30 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, September 27, 2026. The home team dominated the scoring in the final frame, outscoring the visitors 13-17 in the fourth quarter to secure the win at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
The 49ers improved their record to 3-0, while the Cardinals dropped to 1-2. Attendance reached 70,687 fans for the contest.
Early Lead and Mid-Game Stalemate
The 49ers established an early advantage with a 7-0 start. In the first period, Purdy found Mike Evans for a two-yard reception, who lateraled to Deebo Samuel for an 80-yard touchdown run. The lead expanded to 14-0 in the second quarter when Evans caught a 23-yard pass from Purdy.
Arizona responded with two field goals by Chad Ryland, from 26 and 41 yards, but the 49ers retook the lead with a 57-yard field goal by Eddy Pineiro. The score stood at 17-6 in favor of San Francisco heading into the third quarter.
Fourth-Quarter Surge and Final Score
Christian McCaffrey rushed for a one-yard touchdown in the third period, extending the 49ers' lead to 23-6, though the extra point attempt failed. Jacoby Brissett countered with a five-yard pass to Michael Wilson for a touchdown, narrowing the gap to 23-13. The fourth quarter saw a back-and-forth exchange as Brissett threw a one-yard touchdown pass to Jeremiyah Love.
However, Purdy and Kittle connected for a 10-yard touchdown, with the PAT failed. Brissett rushed for a one-yard score, but Purdy sealed the game with a 20-yard pass to Kittle for a touchdown. Ryland kicked a 49-yard field goal to end the game, but the 49ers held the 36-30 lead.
Key Stat Lines
Purdy's performance was highlighted by his connection with Kittle, who recorded six receptions for 82 yards and two touchdowns. McCaffrey contributed 15 carries for 75 yards and a touchdown. For Arizona, Brissett completed 38 of 52 passes for 280 yards and two touchdowns.
Jeremiyah Love led the rushing attack with 21 carries for 90 yards, while Michael Wilson caught 11 passes for 89 yards and a touchdown.
Sources
ESPN
