Game story
In Week 5 of the 2021 NFL season on 2021-10-10, the Arizona Cardinals took care of business against the San Francisco 49ers, pulling away with a 17–10 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 10 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
T. Lance (San Francisco 49ers) paced the passing game, with -2.97 total EPA, and -10.7% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, D. Hopkins (Arizona Cardinals) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +6.89 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-16.8% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Arizona Cardinals changed the game: (8:45) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short right to 2-C.Edmonds to SF 47 for 2 yards (27-D.Johnson). San Francisco challenged the runner was down by contact ruling, and the play was REVERSED. (
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco 49ers | 0 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 10 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 7 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 D. Hopkins · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +6.89 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.77 EPA/play
- 2 M. Sanu · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +3.41 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.14 EPA/play
- 3 B. Aiyuk · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +2.61 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.65 EPA/play
- 4 R. Moore · Arizona Cardinals · Rushing · +2.58 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.86 EPA/play
- 5 R. Moore · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +2.52 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.42 EPA/play
- 6 D. Samuel · San Francisco 49ers · Rushing · +2.43 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.43 EPA/play
- 7 K. Juszczyk · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +1.97 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.49 EPA/play
- 8 C. Kirk · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +1.70 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.34 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
D. Hopkins — ARI · Receiving
D. Hopkins posted the highest total EPA (+6.89) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Arizona Cardinals's efficiency. Across 9 counted snaps, they averaged +0.77 EPA per play.
The signature play (-4.93 EPA) came from Arizona Cardinals: (8:45) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short right to 2-C.Edmonds to SF 47 for 2 yards (27-D.Johnson). San Francisco challenged the runner was down by contact ruling, and the play was REVERSED. (No Huddle, Shotgun)
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Arizona Cardinals — J. Conner
- San Francisco 49ers — D. Samuel
- Arizona Cardinals — D. Hopkins (K. Murray pass)
Field goals
- Arizona Cardinals — M. Prater
- San Francisco 49ers — J. Slye
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 7–0. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the SF 1 (Q1 54:06) — (9:06) 6-J.Conner left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the SF 15 (Q1 54:02) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-14-A.Lee..
The second quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 3–0. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the SF 3 (Q2 35:31) — (5:31) 5-M.Prater 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-14-A.Lee..
The third quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 7–0. San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the ARI 13 (Q3 16:49) — (1:49) (Shotgun) 19-D.Samuel left end for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q3 16:42) — 14-J.Slye extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-18-M.Wishnowsky..
The fourth quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 7–3. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the SF 9 (Q4 5:19) — (5:19) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short left to 10-D.Hopkins for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Arizona Cardinals added 1 points from the SF 15 (Q4 5:13) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-14-A.Lee.; San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the ARI 29 (Q4 4:17) — (4:17) 14-J.Slye 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-18-M.Wishnowsky..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Arizona Cardinals (Q4 8:45) — (8:45) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short right to 2-C.Edmonds to SF 47 for 2 yards (27-D.Johnson). San Francisco challenged the runner was down by contact ruling, and the play was REVERSED. (
- San Francisco 49ers (Q4 9:23) — (9:23) Direct snap to 44-K.Juszczyk. 44-K.Juszczyk up the middle to ARI 48 for no gain (94-Z.Allen).
- San Francisco 49ers (Q4 7:53) — (7:53) (Shotgun) 5-T.Lance pass incomplete short middle to 19-D.Samuel (99-J.Watt).
- San Francisco 49ers (Q1 57:57) — (12:57) 5-T.Lance pass deep middle intended for 17-T.Benjamin INTERCEPTED by 3-B.Baker at ARI 17. 3-B.Baker to ARI 34 for 17 yards (82-R.Dwelley).
- San Francisco 49ers (Q4 12:37) — (12:37) (Shotgun) 5-T.Lance scrambles up the middle ran ob at SF 38 for 15 yards (33-A.Hamilton). PENALTY on ARI-33-A.Hamilton, Illegal Contact, 5 yards, enforced at SF 38.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Arizona Cardinals (Q4 8:45) — (8:45) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short right to 2-C.Edmonds to SF 47 for 2 yards (27-D.Johnson). San Francisco challenged the runner was down by contact ruling, and the play was REVERSED. (
- San Francisco 49ers (Q1 57:57) — (12:57) 5-T.Lance pass deep middle intended for 17-T.Benjamin INTERCEPTED by 3-B.Baker at ARI 17. 3-B.Baker to ARI 34 for 17 yards (82-R.Dwelley).
- San Francisco 49ers (Q2 41:34) — (11:34) 5-T.Lance sacked at ARI 1 for 0 yards (sack split by 51-T.Vallejo and 9-I.Simmons). ARI-9-I.Simmons was injured during the play.
- San Francisco 49ers (Q3 19:33) — (4:33) (Shotgun) 5-T.Lance pass short right to 11-B.Aiyuk ran ob at ARI 48 for 26 yards (3-B.Baker). PENALTY on ARI-55-C.Jones, Lowering the Head to Initiate Contact, 15 yards, enforced at ARI 48.
Quarterback report card
T.Lance led all passers in efficiency for San Francisco 49ers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- T.Lance (San Francisco 49ers) · 38 dropbacks · 39.5% completion · -10.7% CPOE · -0.08 EPA/play · -2.97 total EPA
- K.Murray (Arizona Cardinals) · 34 dropbacks · 64.7% completion · +10.8% CPOE · +0.01 EPA/play · +0.46 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | San Francisco 49ers | Arizona Cardinals |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.152 | -0.061 |
| Offensive success rate | 36.8% | 43.2% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.078 | +0.013 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.367 | -0.025 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.061 | +0.152 |
| Defensive success rate | 56.8% | 63.2% |
By the numbers
Arizona Cardinals held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.06 vs -0.15), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Arizona Cardinals: 10 drives, -4.54 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- San Francisco 49ers: 9 drives, -11.57 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Arizona Cardinals leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
- D. Hopkins (Arizona Cardinals) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- T. Lance (SF) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
- K. Murray (ARI) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q1 54:06 · SF 1 · Score 0-6
(9:06) 6-J.Conner left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q1 54:02 · SF 15 · Score 0-7
5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-14-A.Lee. - Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q2 35:31 · SF 3 · Score 0-10
(5:31) 5-M.Prater 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-14-A.Lee. - San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q3 16:49 · ARI 13 · Score 6-10
(1:49) (Shotgun) 19-D.Samuel left end for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q3 16:42 · ARI 15 · Score 7-10
14-J.Slye extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-18-M.Wishnowsky. - Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 5:19 · SF 9 · Score 7-16
(5:19) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short left to 10-D.Hopkins for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Arizona Cardinals XP (+1) — Q4 5:13 · SF 15 · Score 7-17
5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-14-A.Lee. - San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q4 4:17 · ARI 29 · Score 10-17
(4:17) 14-J.Slye 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-18-M.Wishnowsky.
Frequently asked questions
Who won San Francisco 49ers vs Arizona Cardinals?
The Arizona Cardinals beat the San Francisco 49ers 17-10 in Week 5, 2021 on 2021-10-10.
What was the final score of San Francisco 49ers vs Arizona Cardinals?
The final score was San Francisco 49ers 10, Arizona Cardinals 17 (SF 10-17 ARI) in Week 5, 2021 on 2021-10-10.
What was the score by quarter in San Francisco 49ers vs Arizona Cardinals?
Q1: San Francisco 49ers 0, Arizona Cardinals 7; Q2: San Francisco 49ers 0, Arizona Cardinals 3; Q3: San Francisco 49ers 7, Arizona Cardinals 0; Q4: San Francisco 49ers 3, Arizona Cardinals 7; Final: San Francisco 49ers 10, Arizona Cardinals 17.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in San Francisco 49ers vs Arizona Cardinals?
Arizona Cardinals touchdown — J. Conner (Q1 54:06) San Francisco 49ers touchdown — D. Samuel (Q3 16:49) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — D. Hopkins (K. Murray pass) (Q4 5:19) Arizona Cardinals field goal — M. Prater (Q2 35:31, 3 pts) San Francisco 49ers field goal — J. Slye (Q4 4:17, 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?
T. Lance (San Francisco 49ers), 39.5% completion, -10.7% CPOE, -0.08 EPA per dropback, -2.97 total passing EPA. K. Murray (Arizona Cardinals), 64.7% completion, +10.8% CPOE, +0.01 EPA per dropback, +0.46 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in San Francisco 49ers vs Arizona Cardinals?
D. Hopkins (Arizona Cardinals) led the game in total EPA with +6.89 on receiving plays. across 9 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-4.93 EPA): (8:45) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short right to 2-C.Edmonds to SF 47 for 2 yards (27-D.Johnson). San Francisco challenged the runner was down by contact ruling, and the . The biggest win-probability swing was -16.8%.
Was San Francisco 49ers vs Arizona Cardinals a close game?
Yes — the margin was 7 points. Arizona Cardinals won 17-10 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
San Francisco 49ers
Entered 2-2 Now 2-3 L
Arizona Cardinals
Entered 4-0 Now 5-0 W
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