Sunday marks the start of a crucial stretch of games for the San Francisco 49ers, who will visit the Arizona Cardinals to begin that four-game journey.

The 49ers are in Arizona before hosting the Carolina Panthers, visiting the Cleveland Browns, and then hosting the Tennessee Titans coming out of their bye week. With a 6-4 record entering Sunday, the 49ers are in a prime position to earn a playoff spot if they handle business in those four games.

Perhaps the toughest of those games will be Sunday in Arizona where the 49ers are 4-4 in eight meetings vs. the Cardinals under head coach Kyle Shanahan. The 49ers aren’t in a must-win scenario, but a win Sunday with quarterback Brock Purdy and wide receiver Ricky Pearsall back in action would go a long way toward San Francisco carving out a path to the postseason.

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How to watch 49ers vs. Cardinals

Special teams continues to be an adventure for both sides Sunday. Cardinals kicker Chad Ryland had his 26-yard field goal try blocked by Alfred Collins, but it had enough pace to sneak over the crossbar for three points that made it a 19-10 49ers lead. San Francisco’s defense did a nice job on that series after Arizona got inside the 5. A holding penalty moved them back, and then a big tackle for loss by Dee Winters put Arizona in a third-and-goal from the 9 where they were unable to convert.

In what appears to be a weekly occurrence, Bethune exited Sunday’s game in the second quarter after getting in on a tackle. It’s hard to blame Bethune for getting banged up as much as he does when he’s around the football as often as he is.

McCaffrey scored an easy touchdown on a nice throw from Brock Purdy, but it’s hard to emphasize what the 49ers are doing offensively because their special teams group is such a disaster. Eddy Pineiro’s first extra point was blocked. His next one he flat out pushed right after the McCaffrey touchdown. It’s 19-7, 49ers and their special teams unit is officially a problem again.

Special teams disasters by both teams were the story of the first quarter. The 49ers got a 98-yard return from Skyy Moore on the opening kickoff that set up the 49ers for a one-yard touchdown on their first offensive play. San Francisco later had an extra point blocked and gave up a long punt return to Arizona. The Cardinals didn’t get much from their long punt return and tried a 58-yard field goal that kicker Chad Ryland pulled very wide left. What a mess.

San Francisco’s defense isn’t good enough for anything to come easy. Arizona answered the 49ers’ five-play TD drive with nine-play, 72-yard TD drive where they never faced any real resistance from the visiting team. Knight cruised in untouched for a six-yard touchdown run on first-and-goal. It’s 13-7, 49ers.

Whew. San Francisco’s offense is rolling early. Their first drive was only one play for one yard and went for a touchdown. Their second drive they covered 70 yards in five plays with Purdy hitting Jauan Jennings for 25 yards to extend the drive on a third down, and then connecting with Kittle for a 30-yard touchdown. The throw to Kittle was sensational. Unfortunately for the 49ers’ special teams unit they had another extra point blocked. That’s their second in as many weeks. It’s 13-0, 49ers with 9:51 to go in the first quarter.

One play, one score for the 49ers in Brock Purdy’s return. Purdy handed to McCaffrey on first-and-goal from the 1 and McCaffrey plowed in for a score to put San Francisco ahead 7-0 only 16 seconds into the game.

The 49ers’ special teams unit has been a massive improvement this season and Brock Purdy’s first drive back will begin at the 1-yard line thanks to Moore’s 98-yard kick return to open the game.

Deommodore Lenoir is officially active for the 49ers after being listed as questionable on the injury report. Here’s who won’t suit up for San Francisco:

RB Jordan JamesWR Jordan WatkinsOL Connor ColbyDE Clelin FerrellDT Kevin GivensCB Eli AppleWhat time does 49ers vs. Cardinals start?  Date: Sunday, November 16Time: 1:05 pm PTWhere: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Ariz.What TV channel is 49ers vs. Cardinals on today?  49ers vs. Cardinals predictionsDespite a rough outing against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 10, experts are leaning heavily toward the 49ers in their matchup with Arizona. It turns out the Cardinals will enter Sunday more banged up than San Francisco. Neither team is a threat to win the Super Bowl, but we’ll lean toward the 49ers since they have more on the line Sunday. 49ers 27, Cardinals 2449ers injury updatesCB Deommodore Lenoir (calf), Questionable

While Lenoir is officially questionable, the 49ers’ roster moves included elevating cornerback Eli Apple from the practice squad. That doesn’t bode well for Lenoir.

49ers schedule 2025

Here is San Francisco’s regular season schedule and results.

Sunday, Sept. 7: 49ers 17, Seahawks 13Sunday, Sept. 14: 49ers 26, Saints 21Sunday, Sept. 21: 49ers 16, Cardinals 15Sunday, Sept. 28: Jaguars 26, 49ers 21Thursday, Oct. 2: 49ers 26, Rams 23Sunday, Oct. 12: Buccaneers 30, 49ers 19Sunday, Oct. 19: 49ers 20, Falcons 10Sunday, Oct. 26: Texans 26, 49ers 15Sunday, Nov. 2: 49ers 34, Giants 24Sunday, Nov. 9: Rams 42, 49ers 26Sunday, Nov. 16: 49ers at CardinalsMonday, Nov. 24: 49ers vs. PanthersSunday, Nov. 30: 49ers at BrownsSunday, Dec. 7: ByeSunday, Dec. 14: 49ers vs. TitansMonday, Dec. 22: 49ers at ColtsSunday, Dec. 28: 49ers vs. BearsSunday, Jan. 4: 49ers vs. Seahawks

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