Seattle settled for a field goal and never threatened again. Smith also ran to argue with an official after there was no flag for defensive holding or pass interference on a throw intended for Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the end zone that would have given the Seahawks first-and-goal late in the third quarter. “The first half of this game, we couldn’t get out of our own way enough,” Seattle coach Pete Carroll said. The Seahawks' first five possessions gained 15 total yards, and when Seattle tried to rally in the second half, Smith took a couple of untimely sacks. He was sacked six times, threw an interception in the first half and nearly had a few more throws picked off. He’ll have more bumps and bruises after the 49ers got finished with him. Seattle’s Geno Smith was playing banged up after leaving last Sunday’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the second half with an injury to his right arm, near his elbow. Purdy finished 21 of 30 for 209 yards, and while he didn't have the perfect passer rating he did last week against Tampa Bay, he outplayed the quarterback on the other side. Anytime he’s got the ball in his hands, if there is a play to be made he can make it.' 'He makes plays all over the field, and watching how consistent he is back in the huddle. He’s such a good player,' McCaffrey said of Purdy. Purdy threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown by Seattle's Jordyn Brooks early in the third quarter, but avoided any other major miscues and put a capper on the victory with a 28-yard scoring pass to Brandon Aiyuk with 7:51 left that sent some Seahawks fans heading for the exits. But the quarterback returned later in the drive and hit McCaffrey for a 5-yard touchdown with 1:14 left before halftime for a 21-13 lead.“We had advantage in the first half, but that third quarter was tough and gave them some life,” Niners coach Kyle Shanahan said. Purdy briefly left during the second quarter with a left shoulder stinger after a big hit from Arizona’s Dennis Gardeck, who was called for a 15-yard penalty. The mistake ended Murray’s streak of 96 passes without an interception.Īrizona’s Matt Prater cut the margin to 14-13 by making two field goals in the second quarter, one from 58 yards and another from 43. The cornerback ran 66 yards the other way for a 14-7 lead, pulling away from a pair of Arizona defenders. Ward put the 49ers ahead for good when he stepped in front of Trey McBride to grab Kyler Murray’s pass after the Cardinals (3-11) decided to go for it on fourth-and-3. The 27-year-old McCaffrey finished with five catches for 72 yards and two touchdowns while also running for 115 yards and a score. Deebo Samuel followed with his second touchdown catch in the fourth, a 19-yard reception that made it 42-22. He made it there a third time later in the third quarter after plowing ahead 1-yard for the touchdown and a 35-16 advantage. “Runs the ball well, catches the ball, everything. He also shook off a hard hit in the second quarter that caused him to miss a few plays. Purdy - making his first NFL start at State Farm Stadium, which is about 45 miles from where he grew up - completed 16 of 25 passes for 242 yards and tied a career high with four touchdowns. Definitely something I’ll look back on in life and be thankful.” “In high school, I’d come watch the Cardinals, and now I’m playing on the field,” Purdy said. McCaffrey scored three touchdowns, Samuel added two scores, and the 49ers clinched the NFC West title by pushing their winning streak to six games with a 45-29 win over the Cardinals on Sunday. A few quarters later, Christian McCaffrey had enough time to catch a deep pass, fall to the turf, then scramble to his feet and run for a 41-yard touchdown.īrock Purdy’s return to the desert as the 49ers quarterback was everything he ever dreamed - especially since Arizona’s defense was in a helpful mood. (AP) - Deebo Samuel was stunned to be so wide open for San Francisco’s first touchdown of the game.

49ers scores