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49ers RB Christian McCaffrey talks about his football first from Arizona Cardinals game

josé m. romero, arizona republic
·4 min read
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The Arizona Cardinals defense gave up a season-high 39 points in a 45-29 loss to the San Francisco 49ers Sunday at State Farm Stadium.

The other six points were from a defensive touchdown for San Francisco.

With more 49ers fans in the crowd than Cardinals fans, it appeared, it was another difficult day of football for Arizona. The Cardinals were eliminated from postseason contention, already a given with only three wins this season, and the 49ers clinched the NFC West Division title with the win.

Here's what coaches and players said after the game:

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon, on if it’s frustrating to have a season-high in yards and success running the ball, but suffer a loss with a significant deficit:

“Anytime you come away with that type of deficit, it's frustrating. But that wasn't winning stats, as I would say. We lost the takeaway battle 2-0. That's what you get versus a good football team.”

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon looks on during the first quarter of the game between the Arizona Cardinals and the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Dec. 17, 2023.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon looks on during the first quarter of the game between the Arizona Cardinals and the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Dec. 17, 2023.

Gannon, on how convicted he is that the fight is going to stay with the team:

“100 percent.”

On if he’s concerned about WR Marquise Brown’s heel issue:  

"I am. It's been going on for a little bit and he's trying to grind through. He's a warrior and we need him, but if he can't go, he can't go. Obviously that hurts us because he's a good player. So, have to just make sure we're doing a good job during the week and getting him ready to get to Sunday.”

Cardinals CB Antonio Hamilton Sr., on what it’s like facing a high-powered offense like the 49ers:

"You go back to what motivates you and your 'why.'' You just can’t go out there and lay down just because they have a lot of great talent over there. They have a really good offensive scheme. You just go back to your 'why', and my 'why' is that I go out there and I play for God. I don’t really care about, to be honest, a coach, a player, a team, anybody. I just go out there, play with the guys with God-given talents and the abilities that He’s blessed me with so I just give my all. If it’s enough, it’s enough. If not, then I’m still going to give Him all the glory and praise."

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) runs with the ball during the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Dec. 17, 2023.
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) runs with the ball during the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Dec. 17, 2023.

49ers RB Christian McCaffrey, on whether he’s ever scored a touchdown by catching the ball, falling down, and getting back up to run it in:

"It was the first. I didn’t see the ball. I felt like an idiot backpedaling like that. I didn’t see the ball until halfway in the air. I was just glad we connected. (49ers QB) Brock (Purdy) made a great play scrambling and staying with it."

Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, on if things feel difficult offensively:

"No, it doesn't feel hard. It doesn't feel difficult out there. It's just a miscommunication thing here, a missed throw here or lining up in the wrong spot. It's just little things that can be cleaned up, that need to be cleaned up and will be, that we're messing up in key moments. I mean, they're probably the best team in the league. I didn't feel like it was difficult as far as, credit to them obviously, they're a great defense, but I think we moved the ball well today."

Cardinals TE Trey McBride, on the injury that took him out of the game temporarily:  

"Just a little shoulder issue. I got banged up on the play. They really weren't sure what was going on, so they were being precautious and took me inside for an x-ray. Everything was good. I came back out."

49ers LB Fred Warner, on the amount of rushing yards given up to the Cardinals offense:

“It’s mixed emotions for sure. The number one thing is I don’t ever want to take away from a win first and foremost. Especially winning the division in Week 15 in back-to-back years, that's big time and that’s the standard now. I remember last year I got in front of the team and said “We won the division. These don't come around often, let's make sure we cherish this.” I immediately regretted saying that because this is the standard. This is the standard now. On the topic of standard, defensively we have a standard here and today we didn’t live up to that standard."

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: They said it: Cardinals, 49ers sound off on moments from Week 15 game