Purdy throws four touchdowns as 49ers hold off Cardinals to reach 3-0

Brock Purdy threw four touchdown passes as the San Francisco 49ers defeated the Arizona Cardinals 36-30 at Levi's Stadium on Sunday, September 27, to extend their unbeaten start to three games. BBC Sport reported the result in its Week 3 roundup, while the 49ers' match report confirmed their second divisional victory of the season.

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Purdy completed 15 of 27 attempts for 297 yards, with George Kittle providing two touchdown catches in the fourth quarter. According to the 49ers' report, Kittle finished with six receptions for 82 yards. His scoring catches covered 10 and 20 yards, giving San Francisco answers as Arizona repeatedly reduced the deficit late in the game.

The opening touchdown came from a passing play involving three players. Purdy found Mike Evans, who transferred the ball to Deebo Samuel Sr. for an 80-yard run down the sideline. The team's report credited tight end Luke Farrell with an important block and noted that Samuel reached 50 career scrimmage touchdowns on the play.

Field Level Media reported that Evans later caught a 23-yard touchdown pass before leaving with a rib injury. Left tackle Trent Williams also left with a stinger. Arizona quarterback Jacoby Brissett completed 38 of 52 passes for 280 yards and two touchdowns, while rookie running back Jeremiyah Love carried 21 times for 90 yards. The Cardinals were penalised 10 times for 86 yards and finished two of their five red-zone visits with field goals.

Arizona closed to 29-27 in the fourth quarter, but San Francisco responded with another touchdown pass to Kittle. A subsequent Cardinals field goal kept an onside kick meaningful; Samuel recovered it to end Arizona's chance of another possession. Field Level Media reported that the 49ers gained 437 yards to Arizona's 365 despite holding the ball for only 21 minutes and 16 seconds.

San Francisco's offensive line did not concede a sack for a third consecutive game, according to the team's report. Fred Warner led the defence with 17 combined tackles during an 81-play workload. The 49ers stay home to face Denver next, while Arizona leaves with a 1-2 record.