49ers 20–12 Cardinals: Score, Stats & Recap | Week 16, 2020

Q: How did the quarterbacks play in San Francisco 49ers vs Arizona Cardinals?

K. Murray (Arizona Cardinals), 52.5% completion, -1.8% CPOE, -0.26 EPA per dropback, -15.12 total passing EPA. C. Beathard (San Francisco 49ers), 50.0% completion, -9.3% CPOE, +0.06 EPA per dropback, +1.55 total passing EPA.

Q: Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in San Francisco 49ers vs Arizona Cardinals?

G. Kittle (San Francisco 49ers) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +6.79 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 5 snaps.

Quick answer

Winner: San Francisco 49ers
Final score: San Francisco 49ers 20–12 Arizona Cardinals
Halftime: San Francisco 49ers 7–6 Arizona Cardinals at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP: George Kittle
Top passer: Kenneth Murray, Jr.
Biggest EPA play: (5:13) 1-K.Murray pass short left to 85-D.Arnold to ARI 36 for 11 yards (54-F.Warner; 33-T…
Game date: 2020-12-26

Game summary

The San Francisco 49ers beat the Arizona Cardinals 20–12 on 2020-12-26. George Kittle posted a game-high +6.79 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 12 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	—	T
San Francisco 49ers	7	0	7	6	0	20
Arizona Cardinals	3	3	0	6	0	12

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

SFSan Francisco 49ers

+3SF 9

ARI 21

+1ARI 15

+3SF 25

ARI 9

+1ARI 15

SF 1

ARI 1

ARIArizona Cardinals

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

8 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

ARIArizona Cardinals
Q1 10:14FG
MNM. Nugent
Points+3
Yard line
SF 9
Score
0-3
(10:14) 2-M.Nugent 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee.
SFSan Francisco 49ers
Q1 2:51TD
Johnny Wilson
Points+6
Yard line
ARI 21
Score
6-3
(2:51) (Shotgun) 3-C.Beathard pass short middle to 30-J.Wilson for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN. SF-71-T.Williams was injured during the play.
SFSan Francisco 49ers
Q1 2:44XP
RGR. Gould
Points+1
Yard line
ARI 15
Score
7-3
9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-6-M.Wishnowsky.
ARIArizona Cardinals
Q2 0:39FG
MNM. Nugent
Points+3
Yard line
SF 25
Score
7-6
(:39) 2-M.Nugent 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee.
SFSan Francisco 49ers
Q3 5:19TD
Kyle Juszczyk
Points+6
Yard line
ARI 9
Score
13-6
(5:19) 3-C.Beathard pass short left to 44-K.Juszczyk for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
SFSan Francisco 49ers
Q3 5:13XP
RGR. Gould
Points+1
Yard line
ARI 15
Score
14-6
9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-6-M.Wishnowsky.
ARIArizona Cardinals
Q4 12:11TD
Kenyan Drake
Points+6
Yard line
SF 1
Score
14-12
(12:11) 41-K.Drake up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
SFSan Francisco 49ers
Q4 8:40TD
Kyle Juszczyk
Points+6
Yard line
ARI 1
Score
20-12
(8:40) 3-C.Beathard pass short right to 44-K.Juszczyk for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

1George Kittle · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +6.79 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.36 EPA/play
2Johnny Wilson · San Francisco 49ers · Rushing · +6.27 total EPA · 22 snaps · +0.28 EPA/play
3Kenneth Murray, Jr. · Arizona Cardinals · Rushing · +3.34 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.11 EPA/play
4Johnny Wilson · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +1.90 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.95 EPA/play
5Kisean Johnson · Arizona Cardinals · Receiving · +1.77 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.59 EPA/play
6C.J. Beathard · San Francisco 49ers · Passing · +1.55 total EPA · 26 snaps · +0.06 EPA/play
7Jerick McKinnon · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +1.54 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.39 EPA/play
8Kyle Juszczyk · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +1.34 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.45 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

George Kittle — SF · Receiving

George Kittle posted the highest total EPA (+6.79) in the game, the strongest overall impact for San Francisco 49ers. Across 5 counted snaps, they averaged +1.36 EPA per play.

Biggest single play (-5.11 EPA): Kenneth Murray, Jr. — (5:13) 1-K.Murray pass short left to 85-D.Arnold to ARI 36 for 11 yards (54-F.Warner; 33-T.Moore). FUMBLES (54-F.Warner), RECOVERED by SF-54-F.Warner at ARI 36. The Replay Official reviewed the fumble

Quarterback report card

Kenneth Murray, Jr. led all passers in efficiency for Arizona Cardinals, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

Kenneth Murray, Jr. (Arizona Cardinals) · 59 dropbacks · 52.5% completion · -1.8% CPOE · -0.26 EPA/play · -15.12 total EPA
C.J. Beathard (San Francisco 49ers) · 26 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · -9.3% CPOE · +0.06 EPA/play · +1.55 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

Stat	San Francisco 49ers	Arizona Cardinals
Offensive EPA/play	-0.072	-0.158
Offensive success rate	43.7%	34.7%
Pass EPA/play	+0.059	-0.256
Rush EPA/play	+0.251	+0.068
Defensive EPA/play	+0.158	+0.072
Defensive success rate	65.3%	56.3%

Drive & efficiency notes

Despite the final score, San Francisco 49ers generated the better offensive EPA per play (-0.07 vs -0.16), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

San Francisco 49ers: -0.07 EPA/play (26th percentile vs. 2020 team-game averages)
Arizona Cardinals: -0.16 EPA/play (12th percentile vs. 2020 team-game averages)

Arizona Cardinals: 12 drives, -15.46 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
San Francisco 49ers: 12 drives, -5.12 total EPA, 3 scoring drives

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

San Francisco 49ers — Johnny Wilson (C.J. Beathard pass) (Q1 2:51)
San Francisco 49ers — Kyle Juszczyk (C.J. Beathard pass) (Q3 5:19)
Arizona Cardinals — Kenyan Drake (Q4 12:11)
San Francisco 49ers — Kyle Juszczyk (C.J. Beathard pass) (Q4 8:40)

Field goals

Arizona Cardinals — M. Nugent (Q1 10:14)
Arizona Cardinals — M. Nugent (Q2 0:39)

Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 7–3. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the SF 9 (Q1 10:14) — (10:14) 2-M.Nugent 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the ARI 21 (Q1 2:51) — (2:51) (Shotgun) 3-C.Beathard pass short middle to 30-J.Wilson for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN. SF-71-T.Williams was injured during the play.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q1 2:44) — 9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-6-M.Wishnowsky..

The second quarter: Arizona Cardinals won the period 3–0. Arizona Cardinals connected on a field goal from the SF 25 (Q2 0:39) — (:39) 2-M.Nugent 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee..

The third quarter: San Francisco 49ers won the period 7–0. San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the ARI 9 (Q3 5:19) — (5:19) 3-C.Beathard pass short left to 44-K.Juszczyk for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the ARI 15 (Q3 5:13) — 9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-6-M.Wishnowsky..

The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 6–6. Arizona Cardinals found the end zone from the SF 1 (Q4 12:11) — (12:11) 41-K.Drake up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the ARI 1 (Q4 8:40) — (8:40) 3-C.Beathard pass short right to 44-K.Juszczyk for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

San Francisco 49ers (Q2 0:14) — (:14) (Shotgun) 3-C.Beathard sacked at SF 39 for -9 yards (43-H.Reddick). FUMBLES (43-H.Reddick), touched at 50, RECOVERED by ARI-48-I.Simmons at SF 47. The Replay Official reviewed the fumble ruling, [WPA -22.2% · EPA -1.44]
Arizona Cardinals (Q4 4:42) — (4:42) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short right intended for 13-C.Kirk INTERCEPTED by 23-A.Witherspoon at SF 0. Touchback. [WPA -14.2% · EPA -5.04]
Arizona Cardinals (Q4 9:04) — (9:04) (Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass incomplete short left to 10-D.Hopkins (54-F.Warner). [WPA -13.5% · EPA -3.26]
San Francisco 49ers (Q3 11:12) — (11:12) 9-R.Gould 41 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-6-M.Wishnowsky. [WPA -13.5% · EPA -4.24]
Arizona Cardinals (Q4 5:51) — (5:51) 1-K.Murray right end pushed ob at SF 13 for 30 yards (33-T.Moore). [WPA +13.2% · EPA +3.73]

Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

Arizona Cardinals (Q3 5:13) — (5:13) 1-K.Murray pass short left to 85-D.Arnold to ARI 36 for 11 yards (54-F.Warner; 33-T.Moore). FUMBLES (54-F.Warner), RECOVERED by SF-54-F.Warner at ARI 36. The Replay Official reviewed the fumble [WPA -9.0% · EPA -5.11]
Arizona Cardinals (Q4 4:42) — (4:42) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass short right intended for 13-C.Kirk INTERCEPTED by 23-A.Witherspoon at SF 0. Touchback. [WPA -14.2% · EPA -5.04]
San Francisco 49ers (Q3 11:12) — (11:12) 9-R.Gould 41 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-6-M.Wishnowsky. [WPA -13.5% · EPA -4.24]
Arizona Cardinals (Q3 1:08) — (1:08) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 1-K.Murray pass deep middle to 19-K.Johnson to SF 15 for 45 yards (36-M.Harris; 33-T.Moore). [WPA +12.4% · EPA +3.79]

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q1 10:14 · SF 9 · Score 0-3
(10:14) 2-M.Nugent 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee.
San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q1 2:51 · ARI 21 · Score 6-3
(2:51) (Shotgun) 3-C.Beathard pass short middle to 30-J.Wilson for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN. SF-71-T.Williams was injured during the play.
San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q1 2:44 · ARI 15 · Score 7-3
9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-6-M.Wishnowsky.
Arizona Cardinals FG (+3) — Q2 0:39 · SF 25 · Score 7-6
(:39) 2-M.Nugent 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-A.Brewer, Holder-4-A.Lee.
San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q3 5:19 · ARI 9 · Score 13-6
(5:19) 3-C.Beathard pass short left to 44-K.Juszczyk for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q3 5:13 · ARI 15 · Score 14-6
9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-46-T.Pepper, Holder-6-M.Wishnowsky.
Arizona Cardinals TD (+6) — Q4 12:11 · SF 1 · Score 14-12
(12:11) 41-K.Drake up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q4 8:40 · ARI 1 · Score 20-12
(8:40) 3-C.Beathard pass short right to 44-K.Juszczyk for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.

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.
George Kittle (San Francisco 49ers) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
C.J. Beathard (SF) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.

Frequently asked questions

Who won San Francisco 49ers vs Arizona Cardinals on 2020-12-26?

The San Francisco 49ers beat the Arizona Cardinals 20-12 in Week 16, 2020.

What was the score by quarter in San Francisco 49ers vs Arizona Cardinals?

Q1: San Francisco 49ers 7, Arizona Cardinals 3; Q2: San Francisco 49ers 0, Arizona Cardinals 3; Q3: San Francisco 49ers 7, Arizona Cardinals 0; Q4: San Francisco 49ers 6, Arizona Cardinals 6; Final: San Francisco 49ers 20, Arizona Cardinals 12.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in San Francisco 49ers vs Arizona Cardinals?

San Francisco 49ers touchdown — J. Wilson (C. Beathard pass) (Q1 2:51) San Francisco 49ers touchdown — K. Juszczyk (C. Beathard pass) (Q3 5:19) Arizona Cardinals touchdown — K. Drake (Q4 12:11) San Francisco 49ers touchdown — K. Juszczyk (C. Beathard pass) (Q4 8:40) Arizona Cardinals field goal — M. Nugent (Q1 10:14, 3 pts) Arizona Cardinals field goal — M. Nugent (Q2 0:39, 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?

Kenneth Murray, Jr. (Arizona Cardinals), 52.5% completion, -1.8% CPOE, -0.26 EPA per dropback, -15.12 total passing EPA. C.J. Beathard (San Francisco 49ers), 50.0% completion, -9.3% CPOE, +0.06 EPA per dropback, +1.55 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in San Francisco 49ers vs Arizona Cardinals?

George Kittle (San Francisco 49ers) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +6.79 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 5 snaps.

Season records after this game

San Francisco 49ers

Entered 5-9 Now 6-9 W

Arizona Cardinals

Entered 8-6 Now 8-7 L

San Francisco 49ers vs. Arizona Cardinals: 2020 Week 16 Recap

Top fantasy performers · 49ers

Top fantasy performers · Cardinals

Quick answer

Game summary