The offense followed its own lead of the preseason by remaining out of sync, penalties came too often, and the Cards were left with a disappointing 20-16 loss to San Francisco at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals went 6-0 within the division a season ago, but a possible repeat is already gone. Defensively, the Cards did what was promised, allowing just 203 yards and holding star 49ers running back Frank Gore to just 30 yards rushing on 22 carries. But in a fourth quarter that evolved into a microcosm of the game, the 49ers – trailing for the first time in the game, 16-13 – went on a 15-play, 80-yard touchdown drive to take the lead, converting four third downs. That included the final play, a four-yard touchdown swing pass to Gore in which the Cardinals blew a coverage and left him wide open.

Warner struggled all game – finishing 26-for-44 for 288 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions – and admitted the troubles on offense were a continuation of the Cards’ preseason issues. Pro Bowl receiver Anquan Boldin did play but was clearly limited with his sore hamstring and was never a factor. Fellow Pro Bowler Larry Fitzgerald had six catches for 71 yards and a score, but didn’t have a catch until the second quarter was almost over. The problems took away from the effort the defense made, although some of the good feeling was lost when the 49ers maneuvered down the field for the game-winning touchdown. Not only did San Francisco manage to gain almost half their yards on the single possession, a chance for the Cards to hold the 49ers to a game-tying field goal was lost in a miscommunication.