The Arizona Cardinals continue their 2025 NFL regular season schedule with an NFL Week 3 game against the San Francisco 49ers today.
The Cardinals (2-0) are coming off a 27-22 win against the Carolina Panthers in their NFL Week 2 game.
The 49ers (2-0) beat the New Orleans Saints in the second week of the season, 26-21.
The Cardinals won both games against the 49ers, an NFC West division rival, last season.
Follow our live updates of the game, which is being played at the 49ers’ Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, for the latest score, news, notes and analysis of the Week 3 NFL game on Sunday, Sept. 21.
Trey Benson turned the biggest play of the game by breaking a 29-yard run for the Cardinals.
On two of the previous three plays, Emari Demercado took handoffs that didn’t go anywhere. The Cardinals are trying to find their footing after losing No. 1 running back James Conner to injury.
On third-and-5 from the 49ers 9, Kyler Murray attempted a short pass to Demarcado, but the running back dropped the ball.
The Cardinals settled for a 28-yard field goal from Chad Ryland.
Score: Cardinals 6, 49ers 6 (6:37 Q3)
The Arizona Cardinals took their first big shot down the field against the 49ers — only to have Marvin Harrison Jr. drop the ball. No defender was within 5 yards of the receiver.
The play came immediately after the game resumed following the James Conner injury.
Had Harrison caught the ball, it would have been a likely touchdown for the Cardinals.
Cardinals running back James Conner has left the game with a right leg injury.
Conner took a handoff on first down and ran for 9 yards. He didn’t get up after being tackled and left the field on a cart.
Conner has eight carries for 21 yards for the Cardinals against the 49ers. He has also caught three passes for 15 yards.
James Conner is down on the field with trainers. Right leg bent the wrong way. Players immediately waived for help.
— Theo Mackie (@theo_mackie) September 21, 2025
Conner has been ruled out with an ankle injury.
49ers DE Nick Bosa will not return. He has been ruled out with a knee injury.
The 49ers got the ball to start the second half, but the possession ended with a punt.
Score: 49ers 6, Cardinals 3 (13:12 Q3)
The Cardinals have 122 yards of total offense to the 49ers’ 119. Penalties were an issue for the Cardinals during their first possessions — 2 for 10 yards — but they have been clean since. There have been no turnovers.
The Cardinals are 4-for-9 on third down and 1-for-1 on fourth down conversion attempts. The 49ers are 1-for-5 on third downs.
Kyler Murray is 14-for-20 for 81 yards for the Cardinals. Mac Jones is 12-for-18 for 112 yards for the 49ers.
Score: 49ers 6, Cardinals 3 (Half)
Eddy Pineiro made his second field goal of the game to give the 49ers a 6-3 lead.
Arizona got the ball back with 17 seconds. Kyler Murray was sacked on first down to end the half.
The 49ers will get the ball to start the second half after winning the coin flip and deferring to the second half.
Nick Bosa, the starting defensive end for the 49ers, is questionable to return with a right knee injury.
Bosa spent time in the medical tent during the first quarter. He went to the locker room during the second quarter.
Bosa tore his left ACL and underwent surgery in 2020.
The 49ers’ offense started clicking on its third drive.
Mac Jones completed passes to Ricky Pearsall, Kendrick Bourne and Jake Tonges for first downs. Jones was 5-for-6 passing for 50 yards on the drive.
The drive stalled at the Arizona 19. Eddy Pineiro tied the game with a 38-yard field goal.
Score: Cardinals 3, 49ers 3 (4:22 Q2)
Chad Ryland’s second field goal attempt of the game was better than his first. Ryland capped a 12-play, 49-yard drive with a 34-yard field goal.
The Cardinals picked up three first downs before the drive stalled.
Score: Cardinals 3, 49ers 0 (8:45 Q2)
San Francisco defensive end Nick Bosa exited the game late in the first quarter. Bosa entered the injury tent and exited a few minutes later.
He was seen on the sidelines without his helmet as the 49ers defense was on the field to start the second quarter.
Bosa had two tackles and forced a fumble in the first quarter.
Through one quarter of play, Kyler Murray leads the Cardinals in rushing with 15 yards on two carries — both scrambles for first downs.
Murray is 7-for-11 passing, after starting the game 4-for-4. Running back James Conner has two catches for 14 yards, while four others have caught passes and seven players have been targeted.
San Francisco’s offense hasn’t done any better. The 49ers have 7 yards of total offense. Mac Jones, starting for the injured Brock Purdy, is 1-for-3 for 8 yards.
Scores: Cardinals 0, 49ers 0 (End Q1)
Chad Ryland’s 57-yard field goal attempt was wide as the Cardinals spoiled what started as a promising drive.
Quarterback Kyler Murray was 4-for-5 on the drive — but never targeted a wide receiver. His passes, totaling 23 yards, went to running backs James Conner and Trey Benson and tight ends Tip Reiman and Trey McBride.
The possession lasted 6:46.
The 49ers went three-and-out on their possession. Arizona takes over at its own 8.
Score: Cardinals 0, 49ers 0 (6:52 Q1)
The 49ers won the coin flip and deferred to the second half.
That puts Kyler Murray and Company on the field for the opening drive.
The Cardinals will be without CB Will Johnson, LB Xavier Thomas and offensive linemen Paris Johnson Jr. and Will Hernandez.
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Cardinals vs 49ers schedule: What time is NFL Week 3 game?
The NFL Week 3 game between the Cardinals and 49ers is on Sunday, Sept. 21, at 1:25 p.m. MST, 4:25 p.m. ET.
49ers vs Cardinals TV: What channel is NFL Week 3 game on?
The 49ers vs Cardinals NFL Week 3 game can be seen on FOX.
Cardinals vs 49ers streaming: How do I watch NFL Week 3 game on livestream?
Streaming options for the Cardinals vs 49ers game include FUBO, which offers a free trial, and other streaming services that carry FOX, including Sling.
49ers vs Cardinals announcers: Who is calling the NFL Week 3 game?
Adam Amin (play-by-play) and Mark Sanchez (analyst) are scheduled to be the announcers for the Cardinals-49ers Week 3 NFL game.
Cardinals vs 49ers game odds: Who is favored in NFL Week 3?
The 49ers are a 1.5-point favorite over the Cardinals in NFL Week 3 odds for the game, courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook.
San Francisco is -120 on the moneyline, while Arizona is +100.
The over/under (point total) is set at 43.5 points.
49ers vs Cardinals picks, predictions: Who will win NFL Week 3 game?
The Arizona Republic’s Jeremy Cluff is predicting a 27-23 win for the 49ers over the Cardinals in the Week 3 NFL game today.
Other sites are split on the result of the Cardinals vs 49ers game in their NFL Week 3 picks and NFL Week 3 predictions for Sept. 21.
Pregame reading for Cardinals vs 49ers Week 3 NFL game today
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