The San Francisco 49ers vs Arizona Cardinals matchup is an NFC West rivalry with a long statistical history. In the most recent completed season, the teams met twice in 2025. San Francisco won the first meeting 16–15 at Levi’s Stadium on September 21, 2025, then won the rematch 41–22 in Arizona on November 16, 2025. The 49ers therefore swept the 2025 season series.
The September meeting is particularly notable because San Francisco won despite recording only 73 rushing yards and throwing an interception. Eddy Piñeiro made all three of his field-goal attempts, including the game-winning 35-yarder as time expired.
Key Statistics
September 21, 2025 — Cardinals at 49ers
| Statistic | Arizona Cardinals | San Francisco 49ers |
|---|---|---|
| Final score | 15 | 16 |
| First downs | 16 | 19 |
| Rushing first downs | 7 | 4 |
| Passing first downs | 8 | 14 |
| Total net yards | 260 | 355 |
| Offensive plays | 64 | 62 |
| Yards per play | 4.1 | 5.7 |
| Rushing yards | 106 | 73 |
| Rushing attempts | 28 | 20 |
| Rushing average | 3.8 | 3.7 |
| Net passing yards | 154 | 282 |
| Pass attempts | 35 | 41 |
| Completions | 22 | 27 |
| Interceptions thrown | 0 | 1 |
| Third-down efficiency | 5/15 (33.3%) | 2/10 (20.0%) |
| Fourth-down efficiency | 2/2 (100%) | 1/2 (50%) |
| Red-zone efficiency | 1/3 (33.3%) | 1/4 (25%) |
| Field goals | 2/3 | 3/3 |
| Turnovers lost | 0 | 1 |
| Safeties | 1 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 34:39 | 25:21 |
| Penalties-yards | 5-30 | 5-69 |
The NFL’s official game summary records 355 total yards for San Francisco against 260 for Arizona. The 49ers’ 282 net passing yards were the major statistical difference, while Arizona controlled possession for more than 34 minutes.
Passing Statistics
| Player | Team | C/ATT | Pass Yards | TD | INT | Sacks | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mac Jones | SF | 27/41 | 284* | 1 | 1 | 1 | 83.8 |
| Kyler Murray | ARI | 22/35 | 159* | 1 | 0 | 1 | 82.9 |
*ESPN’s box score displays both gross and net passing figures; the official NFL gamebook records 284 gross/282 net yards for Jones and 159 gross/154 net yards for Murray.
Rushing Statistics
| Player | Team | Carries | Yards | Avg. | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian McCaffrey | SF | 17 | 52 | 3.1 | 0 | 15 |
| Brian Robinson Jr. | SF | 2 | 22 | 11.0 | 0 | 19 |
| Mac Jones | SF | 1 | -1 | -1.0 | 0 | -1 |
| Trey Benson | ARI | 10 | 42 | 4.2 | 0 | 29 |
| Kyler Murray | ARI | 6 | 37 | 6.2 | 0 | 9 |
| James Conner | ARI | 9 | 22 | 2.4 | 0 | 9 |
| Greg Dortch | ARI | 1 | 5 | 5.0 | 0 | 5 |
| Emari Demercado | ARI | 2 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 |
Arizona produced 106 rushing yards, compared with 73 for San Francisco. Trey Benson led all Cardinals rushers with 42 yards, while McCaffrey led the 49ers with 52.
Receiving Statistics
| Player | Team | Rec. | Targets | Yards | Avg. | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ricky Pearsall | SF | 8 | 11 | 117 | 14.6 | 0 | 34 |
| Christian McCaffrey | SF | 10 | 15 | 88 | 8.8 | 0 | 20 |
| Kendrick Bourne | SF | 4 | 6 | 38 | 9.5 | 0 | 11 |
| Jake Tonges | SF | 2 | 3 | 21 | 10.5 | 0 | 11 |
| Skyy Moore | SF | 1 | 1 | 10 | 10.0 | 0 | 10 |
| Marquez Valdes-Scantling | SF | 1 | 1 | 9 | 9.0 | 0 | 9 |
| Kyle Juszczyk | SF | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1.0 | 1 | 1 |
| Marvin Harrison Jr. | ARI | 3 | 6 | 44 | 14.7 | 0 | 32 |
| Trey McBride | ARI | 5 | 8 | 43 | 8.6 | 1 | 17 |
| Zay Jones | ARI | 2 | 3 | 25 | 12.5 | 0 | 18 |
| James Conner | ARI | 3 | 4 | 15 | 5.0 | 0 | 10 |
| Trey Benson | ARI | 3 | 4 | 9 | 3.0 | 0 | 5 |
| Tip Reiman | ARI | 2 | 3 | 8 | 4.0 | 0 | 6 |
| Elijah Higgins | ARI | 1 | 1 | 7 | 7.0 | 0 | 7 |
| Michael Wilson | ARI | 1 | 2 | 5 | 5.0 | 0 | 5 |
| Greg Dortch | ARI | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1.5 | 0 | 2 |
Pearsall was San Francisco’s leading receiver with 117 yards, while McCaffrey led the 49ers with 10 receptions and 15 targets. Arizona’s leading receiver by yardage was Harrison with 44 yards, while McBride scored the Cardinals’ lone touchdown.
Defense and Special Teams
| Category | Cardinals | 49ers |
|---|---|---|
| Total tackles | 66 | 77 |
| Solo tackles | 39 | 34 |
| Sacks | 1 | 1 |
| Tackles for loss | 3 | 4 |
| Passes defended | 4 | 5 |
| QB hits | 8 | 4 |
| Interceptions | 1 | 0 |
| Interception return yards | 18 | 0 |
| Punt returns | 1-8 | 3-26 |
| Kick returns | 4-115 | 3-80 |
| Field goals | 2/3 | 3/3 |
Mack Wilson Sr. led Arizona with 12 tackles, while Fred Warner led San Francisco with 11. Dadrion Taylor-Demerson recorded Arizona’s only interception. Bryce Huff registered the 49ers’ only sack.
Career Overview
The matchup involves two long-established NFC West franchises: the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals franchise dates to 1920, while the 49ers entered the NFL in 1946. Their head-to-head series has therefore included multiple versions of the Cardinals franchise, including the Chicago, St. Louis and Phoenix eras.
Through the 2025 season, the teams had played 69 regular-season games, with San Francisco holding a 38–31 advantage. There have been no playoff meetings between the franchises.
The rivalry has produced a wide range of game types, from high-scoring shootouts to defensive battles. The September 2025 meeting belongs firmly to the latter category, with only 31 combined points.
Career Statistics
Because 49ers vs Cardinals match player stats describes a team matchup rather than an individual player’s career, there is no single career-statistics table for the keyword. The most relevant career data is the franchise head-to-head record.
Franchise Head-to-Head Career Record
| Category | 49ers | Cardinals |
|---|---|---|
| Regular-season meetings | 69 | 69 |
| Wins | 38 | 31 |
| Losses | 31 | 38 |
| Ties | 0 | 0 |
| Winning percentage | 55.1% | 44.9% |
| Total points scored | 1,628 | 1,434 |
| Playoff meetings | 0 | 0 |
| Playoff wins | 0 | 0 |
San Francisco leads the all-time regular-season series 38–31 and has scored 1,628 points against Arizona’s 1,434 in those meetings.
Season-by-Season Stats
2025 49ers vs Cardinals Meetings
| Date | Venue | Result | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 21, 2025 | Levi’s Stadium | Cardinals 15, 49ers 16 | 49ers |
| Nov. 16, 2025 | State Farm Stadium | 49ers 41, Cardinals 22 | 49ers |
San Francisco swept both games in 2025.
September 21, 2025 Team Comparison
| Category | 49ers | Cardinals |
|---|---|---|
| Total yards | 355 | 260 |
| Passing yards, net | 282 | 154 |
| Rushing yards | 73 | 106 |
| First downs | 19 | 16 |
| Third downs | 2/10 | 5/15 |
| Fourth downs | 1/2 | 2/2 |
| Turnovers lost | 1 | 0 |
| Penalty yards | 69 | 30 |
| Time of possession | 25:21 | 34:39 |
| Points | 16 | 15 |
November 16, 2025 Team Comparison
| Category | 49ers | Cardinals |
|---|---|---|
| Final score | 41 | 22 |
| Total yards | 281 | 488 |
| Passing yards, net | 186 | 452 |
| Rushing yards | 95 | 36 |
| First downs | 24 | 24 |
| Turnovers lost | 0 | 3 |
| Penalties-yards | 1-15 | 17-130 |
| Field goals | 3/3 | 1/2 |
| Red-zone efficiency | 4/5 (80%) | 3/5 (60%) |
| Time of possession | 25:45 | 34:15 |
The second meeting produced a striking statistical contrast: Arizona gained 488 yards to San Francisco’s 281, but the 49ers won 41–22. San Francisco scored five touchdowns and benefited from three Cardinals turnovers, while Arizona committed 17 penalties for 130 yards.
Records
49ers vs Cardinals Series Records
- 69 regular-season meetings through the 2025 season.
- San Francisco leads the series 38–31.
- The 49ers have scored 1,628 points in the series.
- The Cardinals have scored 1,434.
- There have been no playoff meetings between the franchises.
- San Francisco won both 2025 meetings.
- The September 21, 2025 game was decided by a 35-yard field goal at the final whistle.
September 2025 Individual Marks
- Ricky Pearsall: 8 receptions, 117 yards
- Christian McCaffrey: 10 receptions, 88 yards and 17 rushing attempts for 52 yards
- Mac Jones: 27 completions for 284 gross passing yards
- Kyler Murray: 22 completions for 159 gross passing yards
- Eddy Piñeiro: 3-for-3 on field goals
- Fred Warner: 11 tackles
- Mack Wilson Sr.: 12 tackles
- Marvin Harrison Jr.: 44 receiving yards
- Trey McBride: 5 receptions, 43 yards, 1 touchdown
Awards and Honors
The matchup itself does not have individual awards comparable to a tournament MVP or championship award. Relevant player honors provide context for the principal players involved in the rivalry.
San Francisco 49ers
| Player | Major Career Recognition |
|---|---|
| Christian McCaffrey | Multiple Pro Bowl selections; First-Team All-Pro; NFL Offensive Player of the Year |
| Fred Warner | Multiple Pro Bowl selections; First-Team All-Pro |
| Kyle Juszczyk | Multiple Pro Bowl selections; All-Pro recognition |
Arizona Cardinals
| Player | Major Career Recognition |
|---|---|
| Kyler Murray | Pro Bowl selection; 2019 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year |
| Budda Baker | Multiple Pro Bowl selections; All-Pro recognition |
| James Conner | Pro Bowl selection; NFL rushing touchdown leader in 2021 |
These honors concern the players’ broader NFL careers rather than awards specifically earned in the 49ers-Cardinals matchup.
Performance Trends
San Francisco’s Passing Advantage
The September 2025 game was decided largely through the passing game. San Francisco generated 282 net passing yards, compared with Arizona’s 154. Jones completed 27 of 41 attempts, while Murray completed 22 of 35.
San Francisco’s rushing production was modest. McCaffrey averaged only 3.1 yards per carry on 17 attempts, and the 49ers finished with 73 rushing yards.
Arizona’s Ground Game
Arizona ran the ball 28 times for 106 yards. Benson supplied 42 yards, Murray added 37, and Conner contributed 22. The Cardinals averaged 3.8 yards per rushing attempt.
Field-Goal Reliability
Piñeiro was perfect on all three field-goal attempts. His 35-yard kick with no time remaining provided the winning points. Arizona’s Ryland converted two of three field goals.
Turnovers and Situational Football
Arizona did not throw an interception in the September meeting and won the turnover battle, yet still lost. San Francisco’s advantage in total yardage and passing production offset Arizona’s possession and turnover advantages.
The November rematch showed the opposite type of statistical pattern. Arizona gained 488 yards but committed three turnovers and 17 penalties, allowing San Francisco to win by 19 points.
Historical Context
San Francisco’s 38–31 series advantage represents a relatively competitive divisional rivalry, with the 49ers holding a seven-game edge after 69 regular-season meetings.
The franchises also have different historical profiles. Pro Football Reference lists San Francisco with five Super Bowl victories in eight appearances, while the Cardinals have two championships and one Super Bowl appearance in their franchise history.
The individual career leaderboards also illustrate the different eras of success. San Francisco’s all-time leaders include Jerry Rice in receiving and scoring, Joe Montana in passing, and Frank Gore in rushing. Arizona’s franchise leaders include Larry Fitzgerald in receiving and total approximate value, Jim Hart in passing, and Ottis Anderson in rushing.
The 2025 matchup was played in a very different statistical environment from many historic 49ers-Cardinals games. The first 2025 meeting featured only 31 points and no offensive touchdown until the fourth quarter.
Head-to-Head Statistics
All-Time Series
| Statistic | 49ers | Cardinals |
|---|---|---|
| Games | 69 | 69 |
| Wins | 38 | 31 |
| Losses | 31 | 38 |
| Ties | 0 | 0 |
| Win percentage | 55.1% | 44.9% |
| Points scored | 1,628 | 1,434 |
| Playoff games | 0 | 0 |
2025 Head-to-Head
| Game | 49ers | Cardinals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 3, Sept. 21 | 16 | 15 | 49ers |
| Week 11, Nov. 16 | 41 | 22 | 49ers |
| 2025 total points | 57 | 37 | 49ers |
San Francisco won the two-game series by a combined 57–37, a 20-point aggregate advantage.
September 2025 Player Leaders
| Category | 49ers Leader | Cardinals Leader |
|---|---|---|
| Passing yards | Mac Jones — 284 gross | Kyler Murray — 159 gross |
| Rushing yards | Christian McCaffrey — 52 | Trey Benson — 42 |
| Receiving yards | Ricky Pearsall — 117 | Marvin Harrison Jr. — 44 |
| Receptions | Christian McCaffrey — 10 | Trey McBride — 5 |
| Receiving TDs | Kyle Juszczyk — 1 | Trey McBride — 1 |
| Tackles | Fred Warner — 11 | Mack Wilson Sr. — 12 |
| Sacks | Bryce Huff — 1 | Josh Sweat — 1 |
| Interceptions | None | Dadrion Taylor-Demerson — 1 |
| Field goals | Eddy Piñeiro — 3/3 | Chad Ryland — 2/3 |
Recent Form
The most recent completed 49ers-Cardinals game was November 16, 2025, when San Francisco won 41–22 in Glendale. Brock Purdy completed 19 of 26 passes for 200 yards and three touchdowns, while Christian McCaffrey rushed for 81 yards and two touchdowns and added 40 receiving yards and another touchdown. George Kittle caught six passes for 67 yards and two touchdowns.
Arizona’s 2025 season ended at 3–14, while San Francisco finished 12–5 and reached the playoffs.
For the 2026 season, the next scheduled regular-season meeting is Cardinals at 49ers on September 27, 2026, so there was no completed 2026 49ers-Cardinals game as of September 12, 2026.
Statistical Highlights
- 16–15: San Francisco’s final score in the September 2025 thriller.
- 35-yard field goal: Piñeiro’s game-winning kick at the final whistle.
- 355 yards: San Francisco’s total offense in the first 2025 meeting.
- 282 net passing yards: 49ers’ passing total in that game.
- 117 receiving yards: Ricky Pearsall’s team-high total.
- 88 receiving yards: McCaffrey’s total on 10 receptions.
- 52 rushing yards: McCaffrey’s rushing total.
- 106 rushing yards: Arizona’s team rushing total.
- 11 tackles: Fred Warner’s team-high for San Francisco.
- 12 tackles: Mack Wilson Sr.’s team-high for Arizona.
- 3-for-3: Piñeiro’s field-goal performance.
- 38–31: San Francisco’s all-time regular-season series advantage.
- 69: Total regular-season meetings through 2025.
- 41–22: San Francisco’s score in the November 2025 rematch.
- 488 yards: Arizona’s offensive output in the November rematch despite losing by 19 points.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the 49ers vs Cardinals score in their most recent completed game?
The 49ers defeated the Cardinals 41–22 on November 16, 2025, in Glendale, Arizona.
What was the 49ers vs Cardinals score on September 21, 2025?
San Francisco defeated Arizona 16–15 at Levi’s Stadium. Piñeiro kicked the winning 35-yard field goal as time expired.
Who led the 49ers in passing against the Cardinals?
Mac Jones completed 27 of 41 passes for 284 gross yards, one touchdown and one interception in the September 2025 meeting.
Who led the Cardinals in passing?
Kyler Murray completed 22 of 35 passes for 159 gross yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.
Who was the leading receiver in the 49ers vs Cardinals game?
Ricky Pearsall led San Francisco with 8 receptions for 117 yards in the September 2025 matchup.
How many yards did Christian McCaffrey have?
McCaffrey recorded 52 rushing yards on 17 carries and 88 receiving yards on 10 receptions, giving him 140 combined yards from scrimmage.
Who had the most tackles?
Arizona’s Mack Wilson Sr. recorded 12 tackles, while San Francisco’s Fred Warner led the 49ers with 11 tackles.
What is the all-time 49ers vs Cardinals record?
San Francisco leads the regular-season series 38–31, with no ties in 69 meetings. There have been no playoff meetings between the teams.
Did the 49ers sweep the Cardinals in 2025?
Yes. San Francisco won both 2025 meetings: 16–15 in Week 3 and 41–22 in Week 11.
When do the 49ers and Cardinals next play?
Their next scheduled regular-season meeting is September 27, 2026, with Arizona visiting San Francisco. As of September 12, 2026, that game had not been played.
Sources and References
- NFL.com — official 49ers and Cardinals schedules, game centers, scores and league statistics.
- NFL official gamebook — detailed team statistics for the September 21, 2025 matchup, including first downs, passing, rushing, penalties, turnovers and time of possession.
- ESPN — detailed player box score covering passing, rushing, receiving, defense, kicking and returns.
- Pro Football Reference — historical 49ers-Cardinals matchup records and franchise statistical history.
Statistics in this article are based on verified NFL, ESPN and Pro Football Reference records. Where a career statistic does not apply directly to a team matchup, the article identifies the appropriate franchise or player context rather than treating it as a game statistic.
