49ers report card: Grading offense, defense in 18-15 loss to Cardinals

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Another winnable game turned into another excruciating loss for the 49ers.

Their futility reached a new low point, as their losing streak was extended to six games Sunday with a 18-15 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

The 49ers (1-7) squandered a 12-point fourth-quarter lead as the Cardinals (2-6) swept the season series. Arizona took advantage of five takeaways three weeks ago in a 28-18 win over San Francisco at Levi’s Stadium.

Here are the 49ers’ grades from the humiliating loss to the Cardinals:

Rushing offense

Matt Breida was expected to see limited action, according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, but he ended up playing most of the game. Breida, who has been plagued by ankle issues, did not have much success, though, as he gained just 42 yards on 16 rushing attempts. The 49ers averaged just 3.5 yards per carry on 31 rushing attempts.

Grade: D

Passing offense

The passing game was absolutely abysmal. Quarterback C.J. Beathard completed 14 of 28 passes for 190 yards with one touchdown. He wasn't interceptioned and finished with a 83.9 passer rating.

The stats look a lot better than reality, though. Beathard was sacked four times for minus-30 yards. The only offense came when receiver Marquise Goodwin turned a short crossing route into a 55-yard score. The game ended in fittingly sloppy fashion when center Erik Magnuson’s shotgun snap sailed over Beathard’s head.

Grade: D-minus

Rushing defense

The run defense was fine. David Johnson managed 59 yards on 16 attempts for a 3.7 average. The front seven generally did a good job of bottling up the run game and keeping the Cardinals in third-and-long situations.

Grade: C

Passing defense

For most of the game, the 49ers’ pass defense was dominant against rookie quarterback Josh Rosen. The 49ers recorded three sacks, and Rosen appeared overmatched. But when the 49ers needed the stops, Rosen and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald simply were better.

The Cardinals rallied in the fourth quarter on touchdown drives of 75 and 73 yards for the win. Rosen took advantage of a depleted 49ers secondary to account for the winning points with 34 seconds remaining on his 9-yard TD pass to Christian Kirk.

Grade: D-minus

Special teams

Special teams didn't play much of a role in this one. Robbie Gould kicked two field goals, and Bradley Pinion had a respectable 40.7-yard net average on seven punts. The 49ers averted a big mistake when Elijah Lee recovered Dante Pettis’ muffed punt.

The Cardinals had no return yards on punts or kickoffs. Richie James averaged 10.7 yards on three punt returns and 26.0 on two kickoff returns.

Grade: B-minus

Overall

The 49ers didn't commit any turnovers, so that counts as progress for the offense. Otherwise, the unit was atrocious. The defense played well -- until it mattered most.

This loss was completely inexcusable. The 49ers dominated the Cardinals three weeks ago, and still lost because of a minus-five turnover margin. This game shows the 49ers have regressed since that point. After all, the 49ers won the turnover margin, 2-0 and still lost.

The organization has hit a new low, and Kyle Shanahan and his coaching staff clearly aren't pushing the right buttons.

Grade: F