By the time Sunday’s matchup against division rival San Fransisco kicked off, the once favored Arizona Cardinals were a robust a 5-point underdog. That was mostly due to the sudden but expected absence of both Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins. Yet over the course of four quarters, led by a cast of misfits and backups, Kliff Kingsbury’s Cardinals unofficially ended the 49ers season.

“Missing guys, divisional game, on the road and everything was lining itself up for a dogfight,” said James Conner. “We came with the fight today.”

That the Cardinals did, as the suddenly 8-1 Redbirds slugged San Fran to the tune of a lopsided 31-17 final score. Arizona dominated nearly every sense of the game, from total yards to turnovers. Led by backup quarterback Colt McCoy, the Cardinal offense ruled time of possession over the 49ers by a near 14 minutes. McCoy in particular was incredibly efficient in place of the still hobbled Kyler Murray. The former Texas Longhorn completed nearly 85% of his throws while leading five scoring drives on the afternoon.

“If I didn’t think I could still play, I wouldn’t still be playing,” said McCoy. “But I understand my role.”

“I’m not Kyler Murray.”

Thankfully for McCoy, the Cardinals and head coach Kliff Kingsbury wisely didn’t asked him to emulate the success of a Murray-led offense. Rather, from the moment the game began, it was clear the Cardinals were focused on limiting their mistakes while flat out manhandling the 49er line of scrimmage. The return of center Rodney Hudson played a pivotal role in those efforts, plowing ahead for an Arizona run game that netted over 160 yards on the ground.

The catalyst of this revamped run game for the Cardinals was backup running back James Conner, who largely took over the lead back duties following a first possession injury to Chase Edmonds.

“When you lose some of your best players, it’s not easy,” said Kingsbury. “But that’s how this league is and guys stepped up and made big plays all day.”

Not only did Conner step up, but the former Steeler tallied over 170 yards of total offense in conjunction with three touchdowns. The modest free agent addition from last spring has quickly solidified himself as one of the best bargains in all of football. The physical and emotional presence that Conner brings to this Arizona Cardinal team cannot be understated. Against a San Francisco team that prides itself on physicality, it was Conner and company continually running over the Shanahan-led bunch.

Kliff Kingsbury, in particular, put on a masterclass in play calling. Down nearly a third of his offensive starters, the much maligned head coach orchestrated a game plan that would routinely fool a 49er defense en route to a season worst 31-points allowed. League castoffs such as receiver Antoine Wesley were generating big plays for Kingsbury, who has surpassed the likes of Shanahan as the head coach that is able to do more with less.

Sunday’s win over the 49ers was as much a culture setter as it was an ass-kicking for Kliff Kingsbury. For the first time in his Cardinal tenure, the former Texas Tech head coach went toe-to-toe with a well respected peer and throttled him utilizing his own offense without the safety net of one Kyler Murray. The satisfaction that must bring to Kingsbury, given everything he’s endured since becoming Cardinal head coach, is incredibly well deserved. With each passing week, the coach that so many doubted is quickly proving he belongs in the discussion amongst the NFL elite.

And if you don’t believe me, go ask Kyle Shanahan.

Quick Hits

• After his three sack performance, OLB Markus Golden is reinforcing the notion that he is one of the most important players to this Arizona Cardinal defense. The relentlessness brought on by the seven-year pro is contagious and a large reason the team is consistently competitive defensively. It was a sin by Cardinal ownership to once a upon a time allow the former Missouri Tiger the chance to hit free agency.
• Speaking of defenders, Chandler Jones netted his first sack since Week 1 on Sunday against the 49ers. The take down of 49er QB Jimmy Garoppolo cemented Jones’s status as franchise leader in total sacks (67), surpassing the late Freddie Joe Nunn (66.5). Jones looked as spry as he had in weeks against San Francisco, which is a good omen for a Cardinal front seven that no longer has J.J. Watt.
• After so many disappearing acts to end prior seasons, it finally looks like 2021 is going to be different for standout slot receiver Christian Kirk. The free agent to be tallied a team high 91 receiving yards while also throwing a 33-yard strike to fellow pass catcher Antoine Wesley. If we are truly seeing the final games of Kirk in a Cardinal uniform, the former Aggie is making his mark with the hometown organization that drafted him back in 2017.
• It’s clear that Cardinal defensive coordinator Vance Joseph priorities turnovers and points allowed over most anything else. Which is why it’s not uncommon to see Arizona’s defense allow big plays, but immediately go for the football with the hope of a takeaway. Following the punch outs by both Byron Murphy and Isaiah Simmons (as well as the INT from Budda Baker), the Arizona Cardinals lead the NFC in turnovers forced with 11.
• Jordan Phillips is not J.J. Watt, but the pressure applied Sunday by big #97 is exactly what Steve Keim and the Cardinals envisioned when they gave him an eight-figure contract last year. His presence up the middle was evident for a Niner run game that seemingly had nowhere to go on Sunday.
• Valley native Eno Benjamin filled in admirably for the injured Chase Edmonds, scoring his first NFL touchdown in the process. His explosive style of play, highlighted by a ridiculous truck and run over former Cardinal Dre Kirkpatrick, should aid the Cardinals if Edmonds be forced to miss time.
• Kingsbury was vague regarding the status of those who left Sunday’s game with injury. Upfront, both Max Garcia and Justin Pugh were lost early due to apparent leg injuries. On the defensive side, safety Budda Baker had his bell rung in the fourth quarterback but later tweeted he was “A ok baby“.
• With the win, the Cardinals have re-solidified themselves as the top seed in the NFC playoff standings. For the first time in the Kingsbury-era, the Arizona Cardinals have won three division games in a single season.
• In 41 games as an NFL head coach, Kliff Kingsbury’s regular season winning percentage is 52%.
• For the first time since 2014, the Cardinals have begun the season 8-1.