The statistics from the game heavily favor the 49ers. All but one area, that is — the very important turnover stat line. San Francisco had five turnovers compared to none for Arizona.
Below is a mix of key player and team stats provided by the NFL, the 49ers, and Pro Football Focus. We'll start with the team stats this week. Despite how heavily they favor the 49ers, the team still lost by 10 to a previously winless team ... at home ... to a rookie quarterback ... and a rookie head coach.
Key Team Statistics
The 49ers offense recorded 92 plays on Sunday, which were the most by any NFL team since the Oakland Raiders had 92 on November 3, 2013. They were also the most by the 49ers since the merger in 1970.
The 49ers offense had the football for 40:12, which is the most by the team since a September 28, 2014 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles (42:17). The Cardinals had the football for 19:48.
The 49ers offense had 33 first downs, the most by the team since an October 18, 1998 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts (36). The Cardinals had just 10 first downs.
The 49ers offense converted 10-of-17 third-down attempts (58.8 percent), which was the best rate by the team since last season's Week 16 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars (10-of-15).
The 49ers offense rushed for 147 total yards.
The 49ers defense allowed just 56 rushing yards on 23 attempts, which was the fewest allowed by the team since last season's Week 4 matchup against the Cardinals (51 yards on 22 attempts).
The 49ers defense held the Cardinals to just 220 yards of total offense. Rookie quarterback Josh Rosen was limited to just 10 completions on 25 attempts for 170 yards. The 10 completions were the fewest allowed since a September 15, 2013 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks (Russell Wilson was 8-of-19 for 142 yards).
The 49ers defense limited the Cardinals to converting just two of their 12 third-down attempts.
Key Player Statistics
Quarterback C.J. Beathard completed 34 of his 54 passing attempts for 349 yards. All were career-highs. He also had two touchdown passes, a touchdown run, and threw two interceptions.
Beathard's 34 completions and 54 attempts were the most by a 49ers quarterback since Tim Rattay in 2004 (vs. Cardinals on 10/10/04 — 38-of-57).
Of the 49ers' five turnovers, two were interceptions by Beathard, and another two were fumbles by the quarterback. The other turnover came off of a fumble by running back Raheem Mostert.
Beathard averaged 12.9 yards per attempt on targets behind the line of scrimmage and just 5.8 beyond that mark, per Pro Football Focus. Only seven of his 54 attempts were 10-or-more yards downfield.
Running back Matt Breida scored his first touchdown reception of the season and second of his career. He averaged seven yards per carry before leaving the game with an ankle injury. Breida has been averaging 7.5 yards per rushing attempt this season.
Wide receiver Trent Taylor had a career-high seven receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown.
Fullback Kyle Juszczyk tied his career-high with six receptions for 75 yards. He also tied his career-long rushing attempts with a 12-yard run.
Tight end George Kittle led the team in receiving with 83 yards on five receptions.
Right tackle Mike McGlinchey earned his highest overall grade (87.2) as a pro from Pro Football Focus, including a run-blocking grade of 86.5. He allowed just one hurry in 59 pass blocking snaps.
Cornerback Richard Sherman continues to lock down his side of the field. He did not allow a catch and was targeted just twice. Sherman has allowed just one catch for 18 yards on eight targets this season.
Defensive lineman DeForest Buckner had another strong game, leading the defensive with five pressures (two hits, three hurries) in 22 pass rush attempts.
Cassius Marsh had the lone 49ers sack of the game.
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