Quick answer
- Winner
- San Francisco 49ers
- Final score
- San Francisco 49ers 20–16 Arizona Cardinals
- Halftime
- San Francisco 49ers 13–6 Arizona Cardinals at halftime
- FantasyHQ MVP
- I. Bruce
- Top passer
- Kade Warner
- Biggest EPA play
- (3:11) (Shotgun) 13-S.Hill pass deep left to 88-I.Bruce to ARI 6 for 50 yards (25-B.McFadd…
- Game date
- 2009-09-13
Game summary
The San Francisco 49ers beat the Arizona Cardinals 20–16 on 2009-09-13. I. Bruce posted a game-high +5.48 total EPA in the receiving.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 13 combined points.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 20 | |
| 0 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 16 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).
- 1
I. Bruce · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +5.48 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.69 EPA/play - 2
S. Hill · San Francisco 49ers · Passing · +3.97 total EPA · 37 snaps · +0.11 EPA/play - 3
V. Davis · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +1.69 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.24 EPA/play - 4
T. Hightower · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +1.54 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.11 EPA/play - 5

Jordan Morgan · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +1.32 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.26 EPA/play - 6

Frank Gore Jr. · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +0.98 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.20 EPA/play - 7
A. Battle · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +0.88 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.44 EPA/play - 8
J. Urban · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +0.55 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.08 EPA/play
FantasyHQ Game MVP
Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.
FantasyHQ Game MVP
I. Bruce — SF · Receiving
I. Bruce posted the highest total EPA (+5.48) in the game, the strongest overall impact for San Francisco 49ers. Across 8 counted snaps, they averaged +0.69 EPA per play.
I. Bruce's top snap (+4.63 EPA): (3:11) (Shotgun) 13-S.Hill pass deep left to 88-I.Bruce to ARI 6 for 50 yards (25-B.McFadden).
Quarterback report card
Kade Warner led all passers in efficiency for Arizona Cardinals, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
Kade Warner (Arizona Cardinals) · 48 dropbacks · 54.2% completion · -0.3% CPOE · -0.20 EPA/play · -9.79 total EPA
S. Hill (San Francisco 49ers) · 37 dropbacks · 48.6% completion · -1.8% CPOE · +0.11 EPA/play · +3.97 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.
| Stat | ||
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.088 | -0.157 |
| Offensive success rate | 36.2% | 38.5% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.107 | -0.204 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.481 | -0.343 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.157 | +0.088 |
| Defensive success rate | 61.5% | 63.7% |
Drive & efficiency notes
Despite the final score, San Francisco 49ers generated the better offensive EPA per play (-0.09 vs -0.16), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):
- San Francisco 49ers: -0.09 EPA/play (30th percentile vs. 2009 team-game averages)
- Arizona Cardinals: -0.16 EPA/play (17th percentile vs. 2009 team-game averages)
- Arizona Cardinals: 14 drives, -14.30 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- San Francisco 49ers: 13 drives, -7.04 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.
Touchdowns

San Francisco 49ers — Frank Gore Jr.
Arizona Cardinals — L. Fitzgerald (Kade Warner pass) 
San Francisco 49ers — Frank Gore Jr. (S. Hill pass)
Field goals
San Francisco 49ers — J. Nedney
San Francisco 49ers — J. Nedney
Arizona Cardinals — N. Rackers
Arizona Cardinals — N. Rackers
Arizona Cardinals — N. Rackers
Quarter by quarter
Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.
The opening quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 6–0. San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the ARI 19 (Q1 5:34) — (5:34) 6-J.Nedney 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.; San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the ARI 32 (Q1 1:28) — (1:28) 6-J.Nedney 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee..
The second quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 7–6. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the SF 26 (Q2 14:08) — (14:08) 1-N.Rackers 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the ARI 6 (Q2 2:28) — (2:28) 21-F.Gore up the middle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q2 2:23) — 6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.; Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the SF 11 (Q2 0:05) — (:05) 1-N.Rackers 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham..
The third quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 7–0. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the SF 5 (Q3 4:18) — (4:18) 13-K.Warner pass short right to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q3 4:11) — 1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham..
The fourth quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 7–3. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the SF 25 (Q4 14:57) — (14:57) 1-N.Rackers 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the ARI 3 (Q4 7:29) — (7:29) (Shotgun) 13-S.Hill pass short right to 21-F.Gore for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the ARI 2 (Q4 7:26) — 6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most.
- Arizona Cardinals (Q4 1:55) — (1:55) (Shotgun) 13-K.Warner pass incomplete short left to 34-T.Hightower [94-J.Smith].
- Arizona Cardinals (Q3 4:18) — (4:18) 13-K.Warner pass short right to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- San Francisco 49ers (Q2 3:11) — (3:11) (Shotgun) 13-S.Hill pass deep left to 88-I.Bruce to ARI 6 for 50 yards (25-B.McFadden).
- Arizona Cardinals (Q4 0:08) — (:08) (Shotgun) 13-K.Warner sacked at ARI 33 for -13 yards (94-J.Smith). FUMBLES (94-J.Smith), ball out of bounds at ARI 28.
- San Francisco 49ers (Q4 7:29) — (7:29) (Shotgun) 13-S.Hill pass short right to 21-F.Gore for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Impact plays
Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.
- San Francisco 49ers (Q2 3:11) — (3:11) (Shotgun) 13-S.Hill pass deep left to 88-I.Bruce to ARI 6 for 50 yards (25-B.McFadden).
- Arizona Cardinals (Q2 2:23) — (2:23) (Shotgun) 13-K.Warner pass deep right intended for 81-A.Boldin INTERCEPTED by 22-N.Clements [99-M.Lawson] at ARI 42. 22-N.Clements to ARI 34 for 8 yards (11-L.Fitzgerald).
- San Francisco 49ers (Q2 1:19) — (1:19) (Shotgun) 13-S.Hill pass incomplete short left [21-A.Rolle]. The Replay Assistant challenged the incomplete pass ruling, and the play was REVERSED. (Shotgun) 13-S.Hill sacked at SF 47 for -9 ya
- Arizona Cardinals (Q1 8:14) — (8:14) (Shotgun) 13-K.Warner pass deep right intended for 85-J.Urban INTERCEPTED by 52-P.Willis at ARI 40. 52-P.Willis to ARI 36 for 4 yards (34-T.Hightower).
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.
San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q1 5:34 · ARI 19 · Score 3-0
(5:34) 6-J.Nedney 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q1 1:28 · ARI 32 · Score 6-0
(1:28) 6-J.Nedney 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q2 14:08 · SF 26 · Score 6-3
(14:08) 1-N.Rackers 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.
San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q2 2:28 · ARI 6 · Score 12-3
(2:28) 21-F.Gore up the middle for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q2 2:23 · ARI 2 · Score 13-3
6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q2 0:05 · SF 11 · Score 13-6
(:05) 1-N.Rackers 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.
Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q3 4:18 · SF 5 · Score 13-12
(4:18) 13-K.Warner pass short right to 11-L.Fitzgerald for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q3 4:11 · SF 2 · Score 13-13
1-N.Rackers extra point is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.
Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q4 14:57 · SF 25 · Score 13-16
(14:57) 1-N.Rackers 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-M.Leach, Holder-5-B.Graham.
San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q4 7:29 · ARI 3 · Score 19-16
(7:29) (Shotgun) 13-S.Hill pass short right to 21-F.Gore for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q4 7:26 · ARI 2 · Score 20-16
6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.
- San Francisco 49ers earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
- One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
- I. Bruce (San Francisco 49ers) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
Frequently asked questions
Who won San Francisco 49ers vs Arizona Cardinals on 2009-09-13?
The San Francisco 49ers beat the Arizona Cardinals 20-16 in Week 1, 2009.
What was the score by quarter in San Francisco 49ers vs Arizona Cardinals?
Q1: San Francisco 49ers 6, Arizona Cardinals 0; Q2: San Francisco 49ers 7, Arizona Cardinals 6; Q3: San Francisco 49ers 0, Arizona Cardinals 7; Q4: San Francisco 49ers 7, Arizona Cardinals 3; Final: San Francisco 49ers 20, Arizona Cardinals 16.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in San Francisco 49ers vs Arizona Cardinals?
San Francisco 49ers touchdown — F. Gore (Q2 2:28) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — L. Fitzgerald (K. Warner pass) (Q3 4:18) San Francisco 49ers touchdown — F. Gore (S. Hill pass) (Q4 7:29) San Francisco 49ers field goal — J. Nedney (Q1 5:34, 3 pts) San Francisco 49ers field goal — J. Nedney (Q1 1:28, 3 pts) Arizona Cardinals field goal — N. Rackers (Q2 14:08, 3 pts) Arizona Cardinals field goal — N. Rackers (Q2 0:05, 3 pts) Arizona Cardinals field goal — N. Rackers (Q4 14:57, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in San Francisco 49ers vs Arizona Cardinals?
Kade Warner (Arizona Cardinals), 54.2% completion, -0.3% CPOE, -0.20 EPA per dropback, -9.79 total passing EPA. S. Hill (San Francisco 49ers), 48.6% completion, -1.8% CPOE, +0.11 EPA per dropback, +3.97 total passing EPA.
Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in San Francisco 49ers vs Arizona Cardinals?
I. Bruce (San Francisco 49ers) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +5.48 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 8 snaps. Their top snap (+4.63 EPA): (3:11) (Shotgun) 13-S.Hill pass deep left to 88-I.Bruce to ARI 6 for 50 yards (25-B.McFadden)..
Was San Francisco 49ers vs Arizona Cardinals a close game?
Yes — the margin was 4 points. San Francisco 49ers won 20-16 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.
Season records after this game
San Francisco 49ers
Now 1-0 W
Arizona Cardinals
Now 0-1 L