The San Francisco 49ers pulled out more fourth-quarter heroics and used Eddy Piñeiro’s 35-yard field goal as time expired to claim a 16-15 triumph over the Arizona Cardinals.
I know I’ve got to make the kick. If not, I probably won’t be here,” said Piñeiro, Jake Moody’s replacement after the season opener. “I’m just happy I was able to make some kicks and I can be here to enjoy the ride.”
Coach Kyle Shanahan beamed afterward about this shift-on-the-fly squad which now sits alone atop the NFC West.
“I said it to them, and using big words for myself: fortitude, resilience, and character,” Shanahan said. “… It was a (heck) of a job by everybody.”
Quarterback Mac Jones was 27-of-41 for 284 yards with a touchdown and an interception in possibly his final start in place of Purdy, who might be back from a toe injury next Sunday when the 49ers host Jones’ 2024 team, the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1).
San Francisco 49ers’ Christian McCaffrey (23) runs against Arizona Cardinals' Mack Wilson Sr. (2) in the third quarter at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News GroupSan Francisco 49ers kicker Eddy Pineiro (18) smiles after kicking the game-winning field goal against the Arizona Cardinals to win 16-15 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) San Francisco 49ers kicker Eddy Pineiro (18) kicks the game-winning field goal against the Arizona Cardinals at the end of the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) San Francisco 49ers’ Fred Warner (54) celebrates a play against the Arizona Cardinals in the second quarter at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) San Francisco 49ers’ Christian McCaffrey (23) can’t make a catch against Arizona Cardinals' Mack Wilson Sr. (2) on fourth down in the third quarter at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) Football fans stand during the playing of the national anthem before their NFL game at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) San Francisco 49ers kicker Eddy Pineiro (18) celebrates his 51-yard field goal with San Francisco 49ers’ Thomas Morstead (7) against the Arizona Cardinals in the second quarter at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) San Francisco 49ers’ Jake Tonges (88) can’t make a catch against Arizona Cardinals' Kitan Crawford (36) in the second quarter at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) San Francisco 49ers kicker Eddy Pineiro (18) receives a hug from quarterback Mac Jones (10) after defeating the Arizona Cardinals during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. San Francisco 49ers defeated the Arizona Cardinals 16-15. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) San Francisco 49ers’ Brian Robinson Jr. (3) runs against Arizona Cardinals' Mack Wilson Sr. (2) in the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) San Francisco 49ers George Kittle (85) smiles while talking to quarterback Brock Purdy (13) on the sideline in the second quarter of their NFL game at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) San Francisco 49ers’ Jason Pinnock (25) tackles Arizona Cardinals' Trey Benson (33) after a catch in the second quarter at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) San Francisco 49ers’ Kyle Juszczyk (44) celebrates his touchdown with teammates against the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) Arizona Cardinals' Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (42) intercepts a pass intended for San Francisco 49ers’ Ricky Pearsall (1) in the fourth quarter of their NFL game at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. San Francisco 49ers defeated the Arizona Cardinals 16-15. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) San Francisco 49ers’ Kyle Juszczyk (44) spins the football in the end zone after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter of their NFL game at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. San Francisco 49ers defeated the Arizona Cardinals 16-15. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) San Francisco 49ers’ Christian McCaffrey (23) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals' Mack Wilson Sr. (2) in the second quarter at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News GroupA San Francisco 49ers fan cheers for his team during the 49ers game against the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) Football fans make their way to the stadium as they arrive for their NFL game at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) Arizona Cardinals' Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (42) makes an interception against San Francisco 49ers’ Ricky Pearsall (1) in the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) looks to pass the ball against the San Francisco 49ers in the second quarter of their NFL game at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) San Francisco 49ers George Kittle (85) smiles while talking to quarterback Brock Purdy (13) on the sideline in the second quarter of their NFL game at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) San Francisco 49ers’ Ricky Pearsall (1) makes a 34-yard catch for a first down against Arizona Cardinals' Kei'Trel Clark (13) in the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) Football fans stand during the playing of the national anthem before their NFL game at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) San Francisco 49ers’ Ricky Pearsall (1) makes a catch against Arizona Cardinals' Jalen Thompson (34) in the third quarter at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
