The Arizona Cardinals suffered another rough loss on Sunday, falling to the San Francisco 49ers by a 41-22 score.
It was the Cardinals’ second straight game giving up at least 40 points, which was the first time Arizona had done that in the regular season since 2002.
However, Arizona’s offense was able to move the ball all game long. The Cardinals just couldn’t capitalize, and the game quickly got out of hand.
What Signs of Growth Did the Cardinals Show?
The score doesn’t look like it was a game of growth, but the Cardinals did some things well on Sunday. Arizona’s turnovers held the team back, yet the Cardinals outgained the 49ers by more than 200 yards.
Here are three aspects of Sunday’s game that signal growth for Arizona:
1. WR1 Michael Wilson
The Cardinals ruled receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. out for Sunday early in the week due to appendicitis. That meant Arizona prepared all week for receiver Michael Wilson to function as the No. 1 option against the 49ers, and he didn’t disappoint.
In fact, Wilson exceeded every possible expectation. Wilson set a career-high with 15 catches for 185 yards.
Michael Wilson 15 REC, 185 YDS vs 49ers Today.pic.twitter.com/zJpcHMYLhT
— Football Performances (@NFLPerformances) November 17, 2025
It wasn’t just a great game, and a game that proves Wilson has No. 1 receiver abilities, but it was a record-breaking game.
Wilson was the first Cardinals receiver to eclipse 100 yards in a game since Harrison did in October 2024, and he was the first Cardinals receiver to eclipse 150 yards in a game since DeAndre Hopkins did it in 2022.
It was a breakout game, to say the least, for Wilson, and he proved he’s a No. 1 option without Harrison on the field, not to mention a more than capable No. 2 option when Harrison is healthy.
2. The Cardinals’ Offense Thrived in the Short Passing Game
The Cardinals’ offensive line has been one of the worst units in the NFL, according to PFSN’s Team OL Impact, allowing the fifth-most sacks in the league.
So, the Cardinals lived on the short pass game against the 49ers, and it thrived. The only problem was Arizona’s turnovers.
Jacoby Brissett completed 47 of his 57 pass attempts, setting the NFL record for most completions in a single game. The Cardinals quarterback threw for 452 yards, averaging less than 10.0 yards per completion.
However, Brissett was able to move the Cardinals down the field and eat up clock, taking what the defense gave him, for the most part. The only problem was his two interceptions and the Red Birds’ goal-line fumble.
Arizona’s turnovers and penalties halted its drives, and the lack of big plays limited the Cardinals’ offense from hitting full stride.
But the Cardinals had the short pass game working, and if they can clean up the turnovers, the offense can build on Sunday’s success.
3. Trey McBride Continued His Fantastic Season
When your quarterback throws for more than 450 yards, it’s hard not to have a good game when you’re one of his top options.
However, that shouldn’t take away from the season tight end Trey McBride is having. The Cardinals’ tight end has at least five catches in every game this year, and he’s elevated his game even more since Brissett took over at quarterback.
McBride has 42 receptions across five games with Brissett starting, including 19 over his last two contests. The Cardinals tight end had his second straight 100-yard game on Sunday, and his fifth straight game with a touchdown.
McBride now has six touchdowns in his last five games, and 242 receiving yards in his last two games.
Arizona’s tight end leads the NFL in receptions and yards at the position and is ranked No. 7 in the league, according to PFSN’s TE Impact.
McBride continues to be one of the brightest spots on a Cardinals team that’s had a pretty dark season in 2025.
