The Brock Purdy 49ers Cardinals 36-30 week 4 showdown delivered exactly the kind of shootout fans were hoping for — and kept San Francisco perfect. Brock Purdy threw for 297 yards and four touchdowns as the 49ers (3-0) built a 17-point third-quarter lead and then survived Arizona’s furious rally for a 36-30 win Sunday in Santa Clara, according to Reuters.
The win moved San Francisco to 4-0 on the season, while the Cardinals dropped the thriller despite a strong offensive showing of their own. Arizona quarterback Jacoby Brissett threw for 280 yards and two touchdowns, keeping his team in the fight until the final moments after the 49ers had appeared to take control early.
Brock Purdy 49ers Cardinals 36-30 Week 4: How the Thriller Unfolded
San Francisco seized command with a dominant start, stretching the lead to 17 points in the third quarter behind Purdy’s sharp passing and four touchdown strikes. The 49ers’ offense operated with rare efficiency all afternoon, putting up points on possessions that required little time off the clock.
But the Cardinals refused to fold. Arizona clawed back in the second half, with Brissett finding rhythm through the air and the Cardinals’ offense cutting into the deficit. The rally kept the outcome in doubt into the closing minutes, turning what looked like a runaway into a 36-30 nail-biter before the 49ers finally closed the door.
Purdy’s Efficient Masterclass
Purdy’s numbers told the story of a quarterback in full command: 297 passing yards, four touchdowns and a performance that powered San Francisco’s offense to its fourth straight win. The 49ers racked up 437 total yards of offense — outgaining Arizona by 72 yards — despite holding the ball for only 21:16, a remarkable figure that underscored how quickly and explosively San Francisco scored, according to Reuters.
The 21:16 time of possession is one of the game’s most striking details. Winning while holding the ball for barely a third of the game is almost unheard of in the NFL, but the 49ers’ big-play ability made it possible, striking for chunk yardage and touchdowns rather than grinding out long drives.
Brissett Keeps Cardinals in the Fight
For Arizona, Jacoby Brissett delivered a strong outing in defeat, throwing for 280 yards and two touchdowns and nearly engineering a comeback from the 17-point hole. The Cardinals put up 365 total yards and had the ball for the vast majority of the game — a losing effort that will nonetheless give the team confidence in its passing attack going forward.
There was one significant concern for Arizona beyond the loss: receiver Mike Evans left the game with a rib injury. The severity of the injury and his status for the coming weeks were not detailed in initial reporting, so Cardinals fans will be watching the injury report closely.
What the Win Means for the 49ers
At 4-0, San Francisco remains perfect and firmly in control of its early-season trajectory. The 36-30 victory showed both the ceiling and the resilience of this team: the ability to build a big lead with explosive offense, and the composure to withstand a late push from a division rival that would not go quietly.
The 49ers’ ability to win in different ways has become a theme of the early season. Through four weeks, they have combined high-powered scoring with enough late-game toughness to close out tight contests — a combination that tends to travel well in the months ahead.
The 36-30 final also means Arizona will take some encouragement from the defeat. Scoring 30 points on the road against an undefeated team, with Brissett throwing for 280 yards, suggests the Cardinals’ offense is capable of trading blows with the league’s best — even if the result left them short on Sunday.
Around the wider sports world, Sunday belonged to more than just football — while the MLB postseason picture is set with wild-card series beginning this week, the NFL’s early-season story is increasingly about the last undefeated teams, and San Francisco remains among them.
Brock Purdy 49ers Cardinals 36-30 Week 4: FAQs
Q: What was the final score of the 49ers vs. Cardinals week 4 game?
A: The San Francisco 49ers beat the Arizona Cardinals 36-30 on Sunday in Santa Clara, improving to 4-0 on the season, according to Reuters.
Q: How many yards and touchdowns did Brock Purdy throw for against the Cardinals?
A: Brock Purdy threw for 297 yards and four touchdowns in the 49ers’ 36-30 week 4 win over the Cardinals.
Q: How did the Cardinals rally in the 36-30 loss to the 49ers?
A: After falling behind by 17 points in the third quarter, Arizona fought back behind Jacoby Brissett’s 280 passing yards and two touchdowns, making it a 36-30 nail-biter in the closing minutes before San Francisco held on.
Q: What injury did Mike Evans suffer in the Cardinals vs. 49ers game?
A: Cardinals receiver Mike Evans left the 49ers-Cardinals game with a rib injury. No further details on the severity of the injury or his availability for upcoming games were included in initial reports.
