Final2025 Week 3

Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, CA

Arizona Cardinals vs San Francisco 49ers, Week 3 2025

Arizona Cardinals

Away

15

San Francisco 49ers

HomeWon

16

Scoring by quarter
TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Cardinals033915
49ers0601016

ARI 15SF 16 Final

  • Passing leader

    Mac Jones

    SF · QB

    14.3PPR pts

    27/41, 284 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT

  • Top fantasy scorer

    Christian McCaffrey

    SF · RB

    24.0PPR pts

    17 ATT, 52 YDS, 10 REC, 88 REC YDS

  • Cardinals leader

    Trey McBride

    ARI · TE

    15.3PPR pts

    5 REC, 43 YDS, 1 TD

  • Defensive playmaker

    Dadrion Taylor-Demerson

    ARI

    1 INT, 4 TKL

49ers 16, Cardinals 15: San Francisco holds off Arizona

San Francisco led 6–3 at halftime and won 16–15, though Arizona took the second half 12–10. The 49ers finished with a 355–260 edge in total offense and averaged 5.7 yards per play.

The Cardinals went 5-for-15 on third down.

The two teams meet again in Week 18 of 2026. If you roster anyone from either side, run the start/sit call in Redraft Command and it will weigh your lineup, your opponent and your league scoring, not only the player rankings.

Key advantages

  • +1.6 yards/play SF 5.7 · ARI 4.1
  • +95 total yards SF 355 · ARI 260

Game Highlights

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

Got a Cardinal or 49er on your fantasy team?

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Why the 49ers Won

San Francisco won the efficiency battle.

Team stats comparison, Cardinals vs 49ers
CardinalsStat49ers
4.1Yards per play5.7
260Total yards355
Other team stats
64Plays62
0Turnovers1
33%Third-down conversion20%
34:39Time of possession25:21

Scoring Summary

The 49ers scored one touchdown and three field goals; the Cardinals scored one touchdown, two field goals, and one safety.

Scoring plays, Cardinals vs 49ers
TimeTeamPlayARISF
1st quarter
No scoring
2nd quarter
8:45ARIChad Ryland 34-yard FG Takes lead30
4:22SFEddy Pineiro 38-yard FG Ties game33
0:17SFEddy Pineiro 51-yard FG Takes lead36
3rd quarter
6:37ARIChad Ryland 28-yard FG Ties game66
4th quarter
10:50SFMac Jones → Kyle Juszczyk, 1-yard TD Takes leadEddy Pineiro XP613
8:37ARIKyler Murray → Trey McBride, 1-yard TD Ties gameChad Ryland XP1313
3:15ARISafety Takes lead1513
0:00SFEddy Pineiro 35-yard FG Game winner1516

Fantasy Points: Cardinals vs 49ers, Week 3 2025

Fantasy leaders

  1. Christian McCaffreySFRB24.0 PTSRB6
  2. Ricky PearsallSFWR19.7 PTSWR11
  3. Trey McBrideARITE15.3 PTSTE6
  4. Mac JonesSFQB14.3 PTSQB15

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
PlayerFPTSFINCMP/ATTPass YDSTDINTRush ATTRush YDSRush TDRateStart/Sit
Mac JonesSFQB14.3QB1527/41284111-1083.8Start/Sit →
Kyler MurrayARIQB14.1QB1622/3515910637082.9Start/Sit →

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
PlayerFPTSFINPOSRush ATTRush YDSRush TDTGTRECRec YDSRec TDStart/Sit
Christian McCaffreySFRB24.0RB6RB175201510880Start/Sit →
Ricky PearsallSFWR19.7WR11WR———1181170
Trey McBrideARITE15.3TE6TE———85431Start/Sit →
Trey BensonARIRB8.1RB33RB104204390
Kendrick BourneSFWR7.8WR47WR———64380Start/Sit →
Marvin HarrisonARIWR7.4WR53WR———63440
James ConnerARIRB6.7RB38RB922043150
Zay JonesARIWR4.5WR75WR———32250
Jake TongesSFTE4.1TE35TE———32210
Greg DortchARIWR2.8WR91WR1502230Start/Sit →
Tip ReimanARITE2.8TE41TE———3280Start/Sit →
Brian RobinsonSFRB2.2RB62RB2220————
Skyy MooreSFWR2.0WR103WR———11100Start/Sit →
Marquez Valdes-ScantlingSFWR1.9WR105WR———1190Start/Sit →
Elijah HigginsARITE1.7TE49TE———1170Start/Sit →
Michael WilsonARIWR1.5WR114WR———2150Start/Sit →
Emari DemercadoARIRB0.0—RB2001000Start/Sit →

Fantasy Usage

Arizona Cardinals

Snap Share

  1. Trey McBrideTE58 snaps88%
  2. Marvin HarrisonWR53 snaps80%
  3. Michael WilsonWR49 snaps74%
  4. Trey BensonRB40 snaps61%
  5. Zay JonesWR33 snaps50%

Target Share34 targets

  1. Trey McBride24%, 8 targets
  2. Marvin Harrison18%, 6 targets
  3. James Conner12%, 4 targets
  4. Trey Benson12%, 4 targets
  5. Zay Jones9%, 3 targets
  6. Other26%, 9 targets

Carry Share28 carries

  1. Trey Benson36%, 10 carries
  2. James Conner32%, 9 carries
  3. Kyler Murray21%, 6 carries
  4. Emari Demercado7%, 2 carries
  5. Greg Dortch4%, 1 carries

San Francisco 49ers

Snap Share

  1. Ricky PearsallWR63 snaps97%
  2. Christian McCaffreyRB59 snaps91%
  3. Kendrick BourneWR47 snaps72%
  4. Jake TongesTE45 snaps69%
  5. Skyy MooreWR34 snaps52%

Target Share37 targets

  1. Christian McCaffrey41%, 15 targets
  2. Ricky Pearsall30%, 11 targets
  3. Kendrick Bourne16%, 6 targets
  4. Jake Tonges8%, 3 targets
  5. Marquez Valdes-Scantling3%, 1 targets
  6. Other3%, 1 targets

Carry Share20 carries

  1. Christian McCaffrey85%, 17 carries
  2. Brian Robinson10%, 2 carries
  3. Mac Jones5%, 1 carries
View full usage tableHide full usage table
Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
PlayerSNAPSSNAP %TGTTGT %CAR
Ricky PearsallSFWR6397%1130%0
Christian McCaffreySFRB5991%1541%17
Trey McBrideARITE5888%824%0
Marvin HarrisonARIWR5380%618%0
Michael WilsonARIWR4974%26%0
Kendrick BourneSFWR4772%616%0
Jake TongesSFTE4569%38%0
Trey BensonARIRB4061%412%10
Skyy MooreSFWR3452%13%0
Zay JonesARIWR3350%39%0
Tip ReimanARITE3350%39%0
Luke FarrellSFTE3046%00%0
James ConnerARIRB2030%412%9
Marquez Valdes-ScantlingSFWR1726%13%0
Greg DortchARIWR1624%26%1
Elijah HigginsARITE1015%13%0
Emari DemercadoARIRB711%13%2
Brian RobinsonSFRB69%00%2
Malik TurnerSFWR12%00%0
Brayden WillisSFTE12%00%0

Fantasy Points vs Expected

Expected points (xFP) are what a player's pass attempts, carries and targets are worth at the league's average rates; the difference is what the player made of them.

Usage and expected fantasy points
PlayerPTSxFPvs xFPSnap%UsageRte%Pass attCarCar%TgtTgt%
Christian McCaffreySF · RB24.036.5−12.591%85% car—01785%1539%
Kyler MurrayARI · QB14.119.4−5.3100%35 att—35621%00%
Mac JonesSF · QB14.318.8−4.5100%41 att—4115%00%
Ricky PearsallSF · WR19.718.8+0.997%29% tgt—000%1129%
Trey McBrideARI · TE15.313.6+1.788%24% tgt—000%824%
Trey BensonARI · RB8.113.3−5.261%36% car—01036%412%
James ConnerARI · RB6.712.6−5.930%32% car—0932%412%
Kendrick BourneSF · WR7.810.2−2.472%16% tgt—000%616%
Marvin Harrison Jr.ARI · WR7.410.2−2.880%18% tgt—000%618%
Jake TongesSF · TE4.15.1−1.069%8% tgt—000%38%
Tip ReimanARI · TE2.85.1−2.350%9% tgt—000%39%
Zay JonesARI · WR4.55.1−0.650%9% tgt—000%39%
Greg DortchARI · WR2.84.1−1.324%6% tgt—014%26%
Michael WilsonARI · WR1.53.4−1.974%6% tgt—000%26%
Emari DemercadoARI · RB0.03.0−3.011%7% car—027%13%
Elijah HigginsARI · TE1.71.70.015%3% tgt—000%13%
Kyle JuszczykSF · RB7.11.7+5.4—3% tgt—000%13%
Marquez Valdes-ScantlingSF · WR1.91.7+0.226%3% tgt—000%13%
Skyy MooreSF · WR2.01.7+0.352%3% tgt—000%13%
Brian Robinson Jr.SF · RB2.21.3+0.99%10% car—0210%00%

Team totals: Cardinals 34 targets and 28 carries; 49ers 38 targets and 20 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts are from the weekly player logs (Sleeper), and include plays wiped out by penalties. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2025 season: 1.70 PPR points per target (67% catch rate), 0.65 per carry and 0.44 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Kyler Murray Unlucky

ARI · QB · 14.1 pts on 19.4 expected

22 of 35 passing for 159 yards, 1 touchdown; 6 carries for 37 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 19.4 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Start/Sit: Kyler Murray →

Mac Jones

SF · QB · 14.3 pts on 18.8 expected

27 of 41 passing for 284 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception; 1 carry for -1 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 18.8 expected.

Start/Sit: Mac Jones →

Trey McBride

ARI · TE · 15.3 pts on 13.6 expected

8 targets (24% of the team's), 5 catches for 43 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 13.6 expected.

Start/Sit: Trey McBride →

Trey Benson Unlucky

ARI · RB · 8.1 pts on 13.3 expected

4 targets (12% of the team's), 3 catches for 9 yards; 10 carries (36% of the team's) for 42 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 13.3 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Trend: Season high in carries (10).

Christian McCaffrey Volume, no payoff

SF · RB · 24.0 pts on 36.5 expected

15 targets (39% of the team's), 10 catches for 88 yards; 17 carries (85% of the team's) for 52 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 36.5 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Trend: Season high in targets (15).

Start/Sit: Christian McCaffrey →

Ricky Pearsall

SF · WR · 19.7 pts on 18.8 expected

11 targets (29% of the team's), 8 catches for 117 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 18.8 expected.

Trend: Season high in targets (11).

James Conner Unlucky

ARI · RB · 6.7 pts on 12.6 expected

4 targets (12% of the team's), 3 catches for 15 yards; 9 carries (32% of the team's) for 22 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 12.6 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Kyle Juszczyk Ran hot

SF · RB · 7.1 pts on 1.7 expected

1 target (3% of the team's), 1 catch for 1 yard and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 1.7 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Stock Up, Stock Down

Arizona Cardinals

  • Stock up: Trey Benson led the backfield with 61% of the snaps after trailing James Conner before this game.
  • Stock down: James Conner lost the backfield lead: 30% of the snaps to Trey Benson's 61%.
  • Stock down: Elijah Higgins played 15% of the snaps, down from a 35% season average.

San Francisco 49ers

  • Stock up: Kendrick Bourne played 72% of the snaps, up from a 49% season average.
  • Stock up: Skyy Moore played 52% of the snaps, up from a 3% season average.

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2025 through Week 18.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Cardinals defense and 49ers defense
Points allowed toCardinals D49ers D
QBs17.617.5
RBs25.721.2
WRs30.232.1
TEs16.914.8

Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.

How the Game Swung

San Francisco opened at 50% win probability, fell as low as <1%, then rallied to win.

49ers win probability

49ers win probability by game minute49ers started at 50%, stood at 62% at halftime and finished at 100%, across 8 scoring plays.Q1Q2Q3Q4100%50%0%

Key Swings

  1. −14Ryland 28-yd FG64% → 50%Q3 6:37
  2. +39Jones → Juszczyk, 1-yd TD50% → 89%Q4 10:50
  3. −41Murray → McBride, 1-yd TD91% → 50%Q4 8:37
  4. −24Cardinals safety50% → 26%Q4 3:15
  5. +100Pineiro 35-yd FG<1% → >99%Q4 0:00

Swing in 49ers win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Cardinals vs 49ers
Arizona CardinalsMeasureSan Francisco 49ers
64Plays62
56%Pass rate68%
4.3Yds / dropback6.7
3.8Yds / carry3.6
5/15Third downs2/10

Efficiency edge San Francisco ran 2 fewer plays but gained 2.4 more yards per dropback.

  • Top targets
  • ARI McBride 24% · Harrison 18% · Conner 12%
  • SF McCaffrey 39% · Pearsall 29% · Bourne 16%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Cardinals vs 49ers
ResultARISF
Touchdowns11
Field goals23
Punts53
Turnovers01
Turnovers on downs01
Missed field goals10
Safeties01

ARI turnover edge: +1

  • The Cardinals opened the scoring on their third possession, a 12-play, 49-yard drive that ended in a field goal.
All 20 possessions, drive by drive
Drive chart
TeamStartPlaysYardsTimeResult
ARIQ1 15:0010226:46Missed FG
SFQ1 8:14361:22Punt
ARIQ1 6:5211336:01Punt
SFQ1 0:51310:57Punt
ARIQ2 14:5412496:09Field goal
SFQ2 8:459494:23Field goal
ARIQ2 4:22392:14Punt
SFQ2 2:0811531:51Field goal
ARIQ2 0:171-50:17End of half
SFQ3 15:005111:48Punt
ARIQ3 13:1215776:35Field goal
SFQ3 6:3711636:22Downs
ARIQ3 0:153-11:16Punt
SFQ4 13:596483:09Touchdown
ARIQ4 10:504652:13Touchdown
SFQ4 8:376363:29Interception
ARIQ4 5:08351:39Punt
SFQ4 3:291-60:14Safety
ARIQ4 3:155151:29Punt
SFQ4 1:4610631:46Field goal
About these numbers

Possessions that ended with the clock running out at the half or the end of the game aren't counted.

Personnel groupings, average depth of target and pass rate over expected appear when the tracking feed is connected.

Cardinals vs 49ers Head-to-Head

The Cardinals and 49ers first met in 1951 and have played 70 times since. They have been NFC West rivals since 2002.

All-time series
39–3149ers lead, 70 meetings since 1951
Postseason
0No playoff meetings
Largest Cardinals win
47–72015
Largest 49ers win
50–142003

Since 2021

7–4 49ers lead

11 meetings since the 2021 season, regular season and playoffs.

Oldest to newest. 4 = 49ers win, C = Cardinals win, outlined = this game.

2026 Meetings

  • Week 18 49ers at Cardinals Upcoming

Recent Meetings

Season to Date (Through Week 18)

The 2025 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Cardinals vs 49ers
CardinalsStat49ers
3-14Record12-5
20.9Points per game25.7
325.8Yards per game351.4
5.2Yards per play5.5
28.7Points allowed per game21.8
357.7Yards allowed per game340.2

Cardinals vs 49ers Fantasy Outlook for 2026

One meeting is left on the 2026 schedule: Week 18 in Arizona. Here's how to decide who to play in your league.

Keep Exploring

2025 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Cardinals vs 49ers Game FAQ

Who won the 2025 Cardinals vs 49ers Week 3 game?

The San Francisco 49ers beat the Arizona Cardinals 16–15 in Week 3 of the 2025 season. The game was played at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA, on September 21, 2025. See the 49ers' 2025 schedule.

What was the final score of Cardinals vs 49ers?

The final score was 49ers 16, Cardinals 15. The 49ers led 6–3 at halftime, and the second half went Cardinals 12, 49ers 10.

What happened in the Cardinals vs 49ers game?

San Francisco led 6–3 at halftime and won 16–15, though Arizona took the second half 12–10. The 49ers finished with a 355–260 edge in total offense and averaged 5.7 yards per play. Christian McCaffrey led all players with 10 catches for 88 yards, plus 17 carries for 52 rushing yards. The 49ers committed 1 turnover, the Cardinals none.

What was the game-winning score in Cardinals vs 49ers?

Eddy Pineiro's 35-yard field goal with 0:00 left in the fourth quarter gave the 49ers a 16–15 lead they never gave up. It was the final score of the game.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Cardinals vs 49ers?

Christian McCaffrey led the game with 24.0 PPR fantasy points, the RB6 of Week 3, on 10 catches for 88 yards, plus 17 carries for 52 rushing yards. Ricky Pearsall was next with 19.7 (WR11). See Christian McCaffrey's 2025 game log.

Who led Cardinals vs 49ers in passing, rushing and receiving?

Mac Jones (SF) led all passers with 27 of 41 for 284 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Christian McCaffrey (SF) led in rushing with 17 carries for 52 yards. Ricky Pearsall (SF) led in receiving with 8 catches for 117 yards.

How many fantasy points did Christian McCaffrey score against the Cardinals?

Christian McCaffrey scored 24.0 points in PPR leagues, 19.0 in half-PPR and 14.0 in standard scoring against the Cardinals in Week 3 of the 2025 season, on 10 catches for 88 yards, plus 17 carries for 52 rushing yards. He drew 39% of his team's targets.

Who outperformed and underperformed expected fantasy points in Cardinals vs 49ers?

Kyle Juszczyk outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 7.1 PPR points on 1.7 xFP (+5.4). Christian McCaffrey fell furthest short, with 24.0 points on 36.5 xFP (−12.5). A gap either way reflects efficiency and touchdowns in one game; it is not a forecast. For matchups ahead, see fantasy points allowed by position.

Who had the highest expected fantasy points in Cardinals vs 49ers?

Christian McCaffrey had the most fantasy opportunity in the game, worth 36.5 expected PPR points (xFP) at league-average rates, and scored 24.0. Expected points measure the volume of a player's pass attempts, carries and targets, not how well he used them.

How did the 49ers come back to beat the Cardinals?

The 49ers' chances of winning fell as low as <1% in overtime. Eddy Pineiro's 35-yard field goal in the fourth quarter was the biggest swing of the game. Eddy Pineiro's 35-yard field goal then put them ahead for good.

Which team won the turnover battle in Cardinals vs 49ers?

The Cardinals won the turnover battle 1–0: the 49ers gave the ball away 1 time and the Cardinals not at all. The 49ers won the game anyway.

What was the turning point of Cardinals vs 49ers?

Eddy Pineiro's 35-yard field goal with 0:00 left in the fourth quarter was the biggest swing of the game, moving the 49ers' win probability from <1% to >99%.

What is the all-time Cardinals vs 49ers record?

The 49ers lead the all-time series 39–31 across 70 meetings since 1951.

When did the Cardinals and 49ers last play before this game?

Before Week 3 of 2025, they last met in the 2024 season on January 5, 2025, when the Cardinals beat the 49ers 47–24.

What is the Cardinals vs 49ers record since 2021?

The 49ers lead 7–4 across 11 meetings since the 2021 season, including this game.