San Francisco 49ers: Three takeaways from Cardinals loss

Here are three big takeaways from Sunday’s monstrosity in Santa Clara.

In Gabbert’s first start, against Atlanta, McDonald caught two passes – just the second time in his career he had more than one catch in a game. “We were focused prior to this game”. Arizona is a top team in the NFC and in the divisional driver seat with a handful of games remaining on the 2015 schedule.

Oddly, on this particular Sunday (not to be projected forward, because we all know Palmer is the better football player overall), the only way Palmer actually managed to outplay Gabbert was in the aforementioned legs department. “We have no moral victories, as we say, but we can definitely build on this”.

– Shaun Draughn, making his third start in place of the injured Carlos Hyde, came through with 86 all-purpose yards, 10 fewer than his starting debut last home game. Build for what? Especially given CEO Jed York’s statement last offseason that the organization’s only goal was winning Super Bowls.

As 25,000 empty seats at Levi’s Stadium suggested, the 49ers’ season was reduced to one of moral victories weeks ago. And they scared the living Larry Fitzgerald out of the Cardinals – thanks to the defense. Bruce Ellington muffed Arizona s first punt, which is his second fumble in as many games and should open the door to Jarryd Hayne s recall. They are technically alive for the wild card but that require them doing something they have yet to accomplish – winning a road game. This solid rush defense will force the 49ers to pass often.

The 49ers pulled even on Phil Dawson’s 33-yard field goal with 1:28 left in the third, capping a 65-yard drive ignited by Gabbert’s 42-yard strike to wide receiver Torrey Smith.

With Arizona down two running backs, David Johnson ran for a 1-yard touchdown in the third for the Cardinals (9-2), who have nine wins in their first 11 games in consecutive seasons for the first time in franchise history and fifth time overall. That miss could have easily cost Arizona the game. “And that’s what it came down to and I failed to put a touchdown on the board, and that’s on me”. “If you don’t step on that field with that confident mindset, you’re not going to play well”. On fourth down, Gabbert hit Boldin for 18 yards, but he was stopped two yards short of the first down.

Defensive coordinator Eric Mangini designed a blitz-heavy game plan that didn’t allow Carson Palmer to find a rhythm.

He played well, blocking for Palmer to give him ample time. “If you don’t like what we say, then don’t like what we say, don’t throw a flag for it”, Boone said.

Dial wants to watch the tape again get a better idea of the play in question. “It was just unfortunate”.

– Outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks (concussion) did not suit up. San Francisco coach Jim Tomsula faces an entirely different set of challenges with a roster that’s been depleted because of retirements, free agency and injuries. We saw that stuff that we emphasized in practice.

Playing so solidly on defense, a weak after looking done, will help.