Game review

OFFENSE

KNo Brian morph one Hoyerinto expectedan to All-Pro, QB short of being but the he competenthas fallen placeholder the 49ers need. He was the erratic leader of an offense that didn’t score a TD, converted just 5 of 19 third downs and managed 243 yards and 15 first downs in regulation. He also wasn’t helped by crucial drops by WR Aldrick Robinson and TEs George Kittle and Logan Paulsen.

DEFENSE

MCarsonwill be sore Palmer Monday. And Tuesday. And … The 49ers pounded the Arizona QB for six sacks and 16 hits and didn’t allow a touchdown for 69-plus minutes. They allowed just 2.3 yards a carry, and CB K’Waun Williams and teammates effectively shut down Larry Fitzgerald — until the game’s final play.

SPECIAL TEAMS

NRobbiedrilled49, 39, FGs47, Gould48 of and 23 yards, and Bradley Pinion was similarly spectacular. Pinion had a 48.4-yard net average on seven punts, and his six kickoffs resulted in touchbacks. The 49ers were allowing 1 yard per punt return in their first three games; the Cardinals averaged 3 yards on four runbacks.

COACHING

LAfter Palmer was sacked in OT, it appeared the Cardinals would be facing 3rd-and-15 at the 49ers’ 30 with 1:05 left. However, head coach Kyle Shanahan decided to accept a holding call and set up 2nd-and-20 at the 35. He explained that he was playing to win and wanted to push the Cardinals out of FG range. It didn’t work.

OVERALL

LGood offense. defense. Bad Excruciating loss. Sound familiar? The 49ers are showing signs of progress, and some fans happily will note they are positioning themselves for a premium draft pick, but it might be a good idea to win a few games this season.