Desert Showdown: Niners QB Joshua Dobbs Faces Unfinished Business in High-Stakes Finale!

Season Overview and Last Meeting

The 49ers lead the all-time series 36-30, but the Cardinals secured a narrow 24-23 victory in their last encounter on October 6 in Santa Clara. Both teams come into the finale with losses last week: the 49ers fell to the Lions 40-34, and the Cardinals lost to the Rams 13-9.

Team Stats

San Francisco 49ers

– Offense: 5th overall (11th rush, 4th pass, 13th scoring)

– Defense: 6th overall (17th rush, 4th pass, 22nd scoring)

– Turnover Differential: -7

Arizona Cardinals

– Offense: 11th overall (7th rush, 18th pass, 15th scoring)

– Defense: 18th overall (20th rush, 12th pass, 14th scoring)

– Turnover Differential: -6

Players to Watch

San Francisco 49ers: QB Joshua Dobbs

Stepping in for the injured Brock Purdy, Joshua Dobbs will make his first start for San Francisco. Dobbs, who began the season with Arizona before being traded to Minnesota, has experience but limited success. In his career, he has a 77.5 passer rating, 15 touchdown passes, 13 interceptions, and 5.8 yards per attempt over 14 starts. His performance will be pivotal as he leads the 49ers’ offense in this critical game.

Arizona Cardinals: TE Trey McBride

McBride has been a standout performer this season, becoming only the 10th tight end in NFL history to surpass 100 receptions in a season. Last week, he caught 12 passes for 120 yards against the Rams, further cementing his reputation as one of the league’s top tight ends. With 480 yards after the catch this season, McBride is a challenging matchup for any defense.

Key Matchup

Kyler Murray vs. the 49ers’ Defense: Arizona’s quarterback, Kyler Murray, has struggled with turnovers recently, throwing five touchdowns and eight interceptions in his last six games. He’ll face a San Francisco defense that ranks among the league’s best against the pass. The outcome may hinge on whether Murray can limit mistakes and find success against the 49ers’ secondary.

Injury Report

– 49ers: Offensive linemen Spencer Burford (calf), Trent Williams, and Jaylon Moore are sidelined, forcing Charlie Heck and Austen Pleasants into action. CB Charvarius Ward is expected to return after missing last week for personal reasons.

– Cardinals: Running back James Conner (knee) is out for the season after being placed on injured reserve. Conner rushed for 1,094 yards before his injury.

Series Notes

The Cardinals snapped a four-game losing streak to the 49ers with their win earlier this season. This marks the sixth time since 2002 that the division rivals meet in the season finale.

Stats and Storylines

– 49ers: San Francisco has lost six of their last seven games, which could result in their second-worst record under head coach Kyle Shanahan. Standout performances include TE George Kittle, who surpassed 1,000 receiving yards for the fourth time in his career, and DE Nick Bosa, who needs one more sack for his fourth consecutive season with double-digit sacks.

– Cardinals: Arizona’s Marvin Harrison Jr. is on the verge of an impressive rookie milestone, needing just 78 receiving yards to reach 900 for the season. The Cardinals’ defense, featuring 12 players with at least two sacks, leads the NFL in defensive versatility.

Fantasy Tip

Rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. had one of his best games last week, catching six passes for 96 yards. Look for the Cardinals to involve him heavily in the offense, making him a solid fantasy play in the season finale.

The season finale between the 49ers and Cardinals promises an exciting matchup of division rivals. While both teams are out of playoff contention, standout players like Joshua Dobbs, Trey McBride, and Kyler Murray will look to end the season on a high note. For the 49ers, it’s a chance to evaluate talent for the future, while the Cardinals aim to close their season strong at home.