Brock Purdy passed for 200 yards and three touchdowns in his first game since Sept. 28, Christian McCaffrey scored three touchdowns, and the San Francisco 49ers beat the error-prone Arizona Cardinals 41-22 on Sunday in Glendale, Ariz.
Purdy completed 19 of 26 passes without an interception in his return from a turf toe injury suffered in the season opener and aggravated in a 26-21 loss to Jacksonville in Week 4.
McCaffrey scored the 49ers’ first and last touchdowns, on 1- and 4-yard runs, and added a 9-yard scoring reception. He had 81 yards rushing and 121 yards from scrimmage.
Arizona quarterback Jacoby Brissett completed an NFL regular-season record 47 passes in 57 attempts for a career-high 452 yards, with two touchdowns and two picks. His streak of 166 consecutive passes without an interception ended in the final minute of the first half.
Brissett threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Trey McBride and a 17-yarder to Greg Dortch in the fourth quarter after the 49ers built a 35-10 lead.
49ers tight end George Kittle had six receptions for 67 yards and scored on 30- and 4-yard catches.
Even with the win, the 49ers (7-4) remain eighth in the NFC playoff standings after Green Bay and Chicago won earlier Sunday.
The Cardinals committed a franchise-record 17 penalties, breaking a record set in 1936, for 130 yards.
A holding penalty negated a 60-yard scoring run by Bam Knight on fourth-and-inches on the Cardinals’ first possession of the third quarter, when it was 25-10.
The Cardinals blocked a 62-yard field goal by Eddy Pineiro on the final play of the first half, but an unnecessary roughness penalty gave Pineiro another chance from 47, which he converted.
Pineiro also made a 48-yard field goal and another 47-yarder to run his season-long streak of consecutive makes to 22. He beat the Cardinals 16-15 on a 35-yard field goal as time expired in Week 3.
Michael Wilson had career highs in receptions (15) and yards (185) for the Cardinals. McBride had 10 for 115. Knight had a 6-yard TD run in the first quarter after the 49ers built a 13-0 lead.
Elijah Higgins fumbled as he was hit just before he crossed the goal line to stop a Cardinals drive in the first minute of the fourth quarter.
In a heartwarming and groundbreaking move, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, the General Manager of the Minnesota Vikings, has announced an initiative that is bound to leave a lasting impact on the community. The team will be offering
“I believe sports should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial situation. This initiative is about giving back to the community and making sure that people who have never had the chance to attend a game can finally experience the magic of the NFL,” Adofo-Mensah said in a statement announcing the move.
The initiative comes as part of the Vikings’ continued efforts to bridge the gap between fans and the game, especially in underserved communities. By offering $5 tickets, the team hopes to fill the stadium with families who may otherwise not have had the financial means to attend. It’s a move that reflects the Vikings’ commitment to inclusivity and their dedication to bringing the sport closer to the people who support it the most.
For many fans, the idea of watching a professional NFL game live has always felt like a distant dream. The high cost of tickets, travel, and other expenses has made it a financial burden for families, particularly those living in low-income neighborhoods. This $5 ticket day is an incredible opportunity to remove those barriers and provide access to something that many fans have never had the chance to enjoy.
“This is a game-changer for so many families,” said local fan and long-time season ticket holder, Sarah Johnson. “My family has always wanted to go to a game, but with the costs, it was just out of reach. This gesture is not only generous, but it also shows that the Vikings truly care about their fans.”
The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to be the opponents in what promises to be a thrilling matchup at U.S. Bank Stadium. Known for their passionate fan base, the Steelers will bring a charged atmosphere, making the game even more special for those who are attending for the first time.
This initiative is likely to become a model for other NFL teams to follow. As sports organizations look for ways to engage with their communities, this move by the Vikings sets a high standard for how sports can truly be accessible to everyone, regardless of their background.
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s announcement has sparked a wave of positive reactions from fans across the country, with many praising the Vikings for their leadership and commitment to social responsibility. The $5 ticket day is set to be one of the most memorable moments in recent NFL history, making it a win not just for the Vikings, but for the sport of football as a whole.