Even in a season full of frustrating losses and injury woes, you have to take every opportunity to bask in the downfall of a division rival.
The San Francisco 49ers dominated the Arizona Cardinals in Week 11, winning by a final score of 41-22. The Niners were in control of the matchup from start to finish, as they never trailed in the game.
The win is crucial for the 49ers in their pursuit of a playoff appearance, and it sends the Cardinals into a complete panic.
49ers send Cardinals into panic mode with dominant Week 11 win
Brock Purdy's return was one of San Francisco's best games of the season. The offense looked like the elite unit that fans are familiar with, as Purdy's near-perfect day included 200 passing yards and three touchdowns. The 49ers got their running game going again, as Christian McCaffrey averaged over 6.2 yards per carry and scored two touchdowns on the ground. George Kittle got in on the fun, finding the end zone twice himself.
But it was the 49ers' defense that truly caused the Cardinals to spiral. They allowed 488 total yards and 452 passing yards on the day, but the yardage numbers don't come close to telling the full story. Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett threw two interceptions, and tight end Elijah Higgins lost a fumble in the red zone, as Arizona turned the ball over three times in the game.
With 17 penalties for 130 total yards, the Cardinals set a franchise record for penalties in a single game. That's not exactly the kind of record that teams want to set.
With the loss, Arizona falls to 3-7 on the season, firmly taking them out of the playoff race in a season that Arizona fans hoped would result in a postseason appearance. After failing to meet expectations, head coach Jonathan Gannon is at risk of being fired. His offensive coordinator, Drew Petzing, could even be let go before the end of the season. They could even move on from quarterback Kyler Murray after his disappointing year. This loss sent the Cardinals over the edge, sending fans into a full-on panic.
The win pushes the 49ers to a 7-4 record, helping their playoff chances significantly. They completed the season sweep over their NFC West rival, once again establishing their dominance over the Cardinals. They'll look to continue the impressive performances next week as they take on the Carolina Panthers.