49ers at Cardinals

Franchise Hub Beat · 19d ago

The San Francisco 49ers secured a hard-fought victory over the Arizona Cardinals with a final score of 17-7 in Week 18 of the 2026 season. With playoff implications on the line, the 49ers needed this win to solidify their postseason positioning, while the Cardinals sought to play spoiler in their season finale.

Cam Ward shone under pressure for San Francisco, throwing for 285 yards and leading the offense effectively. Although Arizona's Carson Beck managed to find the end zone once, it was Ward's command of the game that ultimately proved decisive. On the ground, Jeremiyah Love struggled to make an impact for the Cardinals, rushing for only 49 yards, while Devin Duvernay stood out with an impressive 150 receiving yards.

Defensively, the 49ers faced a challenging day but held strong at key moments, while the Cardinals' defense was led by Mack Wilson Sr., who recorded eight tackles. The game's turning point came in the second half when the 49ers' defense tightened up, forcing the Cardinals into a three-and-out that allowed San Francisco to extend their lead. With Josh Sweat contributing a sack, Arizona's defensive efforts weren't enough to overcome the 49ers' strong offensive performance.