The San Francisco 49ers weren’t always clean, but they got the job done. A 36-30 victory over the Arizona Cardinals moved San Francisco to 3-0 on the year and 2-0 in the NFC West. The day got even sweeter when the Seattle Seahawks fell to the Commanders, making the 49ers the sole first-place leaders in the division.

In a game with plenty of ups and downs, the 49ers found a way to pull it out. That’s all that matters in the NFL. Brock Purdy is playing at an MVP level, Kyle Shanahan is showing his masterful play-calling abilities, and San Francisco is winning despite injury struggles. 

Winners 

Brock Purdy

Brock Purdy has to be the first name on this list. The guy should be leading the MVP race right now, and he backed it up today. Purdy threw for 297 yards and four touchdowns with a passer rating of 133.8. He also had two carries for 34 yards. A late-game rushing touchdown was taken off the board because of a hold, so what did he do? He came back and threw one to George Kittle. This might be the best football Purdy has played as a 49er.

Christian McCaffrey

Christian McCaffrey continues to do his thing and make plays for this San Francisco offense. McCaffrey finished with 15 carries for 75 yards and a touchdown on the ground, averaging five yards a carry. He added 41 yards receiving to put him over 100 all-purpose yards on the day. The offensive line did a good job opening things up for him, but ultimately, McCaffrey made a lot of his own success as he tends to do. 

George Kittle

George Kittle was blocking all day like he normally does, and he made his presence felt as a pass catcher with six grabs for 82 yards and two touchdowns. The last one was the icing on the cake. In a game where Mike Evans went down, Kittle’s impact was felt even more. Kittle’s rapport with Brock Purdy paid massive dividends as well as his efficiency near the red-zone. 

Deebo Samuel

Deebo Samuel had no catches on the day. No catches. But he still managed 80 yards receiving and a touchdown thanks to the hook and ladder play with Mike Evans. What a stat line! Samuel also returned the ball fairly well, averaging about 20 yards a return. It wasn’t the biggest statistical game for him, but every time he gets the football in his hands, he makes plays. He’s always been the gadget guy for this offense and there’s no doubt Kyle Shanahan is happy to have him back. 

Kyle Shanahan

Kyle Shanahan deserves his flowers. One of the best offensive masterminds in this game, Shanahan dealt with injuries all over the place and still put together a game plan that produced 297 passing yards and 140 rushing yards. He put his players in position to make big plays all day. The hook and ladder play was a thing of beauty as Shanahan “got in his bag”. It’s really incredible what he does week after week. 

Gracen Halton

On the defensive side, rookie Gracen Halton continues to have a strong start to the year. He finished with three tackles, one for a loss, and a pass deflection. He has been playing some good football since Alfred Collins went down. The mid-round rookie was presented with an unforeseen opportunity a couple weeks ago and he hasn’t looked back since. 

Keion White

Keion White also stepped up with a sack and a tackle for loss. White’s ability to create pressure off the edge affected Jacoby Brissett at multiple points in the afternoon. With Nick Bosa down, it was great to see him answer the bell when called upon. The 49ers front played well and it couldn’t come at a better time after the injuries. 

Losers 

Siran Neal

The 49ers safety and returner had a mishap on a punt which resulted in great Cardinals field position, and that was not good. Neal was trying to handle a tough punt and fell down when the ball hit his foot and was recovered by Arizona. The 49ers need to keep Jacob Cowing back there, and Neal has to make the most of those opportunities. He was not able to do so.

The team’s health

The other loser is the 49ers’ team health. I know, a complete shocker right? Wide Receiver Mike Evans went down with a rib injury, missed the rest of the game, and looks like he could miss some time. Ian Rapoport reported that Evans suffered a rib strain and will get a full evaluation tomorrow; we’ll have to wait and see what the team announces. It was a brutal loss for a receiver room that has been banged up all year.

The perfect September

Look, it wasn’t pretty from start to finish, but a 3-0 September with sole possession of first place in the NFC West? The 49ers will take that every single time. They have defied the odds after suffering plenty of injuries to key players, and a whole lot of roster movement. It’s a testament to the team’s culture as well as their mental fortitude. 

The one question remains: Can they sustain it if it keeps up all season long?