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The 49ers' frustrations boiled over for a second straight week, and the Cardinals took a leg up in the race for the NFC West crown.
For a second straight week, the San Francisco 49ers seemed to be on their way to a strong win before allowing their opponent to come back in the second half. This week, they led 14-6 at halftime, but offensive miscues and bad penalties allowed the Arizona Cardinals to storm back. When the dust cleared, the 49ers had another tick in the loss column, 23-14.
Many will point at mistakes by the 49ers. Discipline issues reared once again one week after San Francisco racked up 16 penalties in a loss to the Chicago Bears. The 49ers had nine this week for 107 yards this week, with five of them of the 15-yard variety.
To say the 49ers buried themselves discounts how well the Cardinals played, however, beginning with a defense that pitched a second-half shutout. The 49ers were bottled up in the running game, gaining 82 yards on the ground, just 23 of which came from running backs Frank Gore and Carlos Hyde. Colin Kaepernick was efficient, but the Cards put the clamps on big plays. They forced long drives, and let San Francisco stop itself.
The play of Drew Stanton made it a relatively easy win for Arizona. Stanton made plays when opportunities presented themselves, going 18-for-33 passing for 244 yards and two touchdowns, both to rookie John Brown. Michael Floyd was his favorite target, with 114 yards on five catches. Perhaps most importantly, Stanton committed zero turnovers.
Three things we learned:
1) John Brown is very good
You know about Michael Floyd, now get to know rookie John Brown. The rookie out of Pittsburg State caught two touchdown passes on the day as part of a four-catch, 52-yard day. He has evolved into the sort of seam target to perfectly complement Floyd on the outside. When you factor in Larry Fitzgerald, it's not too hard to figure out how Stanton performed so well.
Brown has now caught three touchdowns through his first three career games. There's a good chance he'll be going fast of the waiver wire in your fantasy league this week.
2) The 49ers can't close
The 49ers have yet to score a touchdown in the second half of any game this season. An 8-point lead at halftime isn't as extreme as a 13-point lead late in the first quarter, but the blueprint to Arizona's win was essentially the same as Chicago's -- frustrate San Francisco and let them fall on their face.
Until the 49ers find some consistency, they'll remain the third best team in the NFC West.
3) Drew Stanton played out of his mind
Which isn't to say he set the world on fire, but for a veteran backup he played well above his station. And credit the Cardinals for trusting him. Bruce Arians has never been shy to draw up a deep ball, and Stanton was on the money every time the Cardinals need a play, throwing touchdown passes of 24 and 21 yards.
Stanton probably isn't a long-term option, but he's playing more than well enough on a team with the talent elsewhere to make up for his deficiencies. He's tough, confident and steady. The Cardinals look capable of going a long way with him behind center.
