The San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals have one of the NFL’s longest-running divisional rivalries. As NFC West opponents, they meet twice each regular season, producing a large statistical sample spanning decades. The rivalry has featured Hall of Fame quarterbacks, elite defenses, and numerous high-scoring games. According to Pro Football Reference, San Francisco leads the all-time regular-season series 38–31.
Key Statistics
Latest Verified Match Statistics (49ers 41–22 Cardinals, November 16, 2025)
| Category | San Francisco 49ers | Arizona Cardinals |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 41 | 22 |
| Passing Leader | Brock Purdy – 19/26, 200 YDS, 3 TD, 0 INT | Jacoby Brissett – 47/57, 452 YDS, 2 TD, 2 INT |
| Leading Rusher | Christian McCaffrey – 81 YDS, 2 TD | Verified rushing leader data unavailable in summarized official box score |
| Leading Receiver | George Kittle – 67 YDS, 2 TD | Verified receiving leader data unavailable in summarized official box score |
| Team Passing TD | 3 | 2 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 2 |
| Winner | San Francisco 49ers | — |
Statistics verified from the official NFL Game Center, ESPN box score, and Pro Football Reference.
Career Overview
The 49ers–Cardinals rivalry dates back to 1951 and has continued through multiple franchise eras, including the Cardinals’ relocations from Chicago to St. Louis, Phoenix, and Arizona.
Key facts:
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| First Meeting | 1951 |
| League | NFL |
| Division | NFC West |
| Regular Season Meetings | 69 |
| Series Leader | San Francisco 49ers |
| All-Time Record | 49ers 38–31 |
The rivalry has featured notable players including:
- Joe Montana
- Steve Young
- Jerry Rice
- Kurt Warner
- Larry Fitzgerald
- Patrick Peterson
- Kyler Murray
- Brock Purdy
- Christian McCaffrey
- George Kittle
Career Statistics
All-Time Rivalry Statistics
| Statistic | 49ers | Cardinals |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Season Wins | 38 | 31 |
| Total Meetings | 69 | 69 |
| Current Series Leader | ✔ | |
| Division | NFC West | NFC West |
Complete cumulative offensive totals (yards, touchdowns, passing yards, rushing yards, etc.) across every historical meeting could not be fully verified from official public statistical databases.
Season-by-Season Stats
Recent Meetings
| Season | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 49ers | 41–22 |
| 2025 | 49ers | 16–15 |
| 2024 | Cardinals | 47–24 |
| 2024 | Cardinals | 24–23 |
Table includes the most recent verified regular-season meetings available from official NFL game books.
Records
Rivalry Records
| Record | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Most Regular Season Wins | San Francisco 49ers (38) |
| Longest-running NFC West rivalry | Since 1951 |
| Multiple Hall of Fame players | Both franchises |
| Numerous playoff-caliber matchups | Throughout NFC West history |
Complete player-specific rivalry records (career passing yards, rushing yards, receptions, interceptions, sacks, etc.) across every meeting could not be fully verified from official sources.
Awards and Honors
Many players appearing in this rivalry have earned major NFL honors.
| Player | Major Honors |
|---|---|
| Christian McCaffrey | NFL Offensive Player of the Year, First-Team All-Pro, Pro Bowl |
| George Kittle | Multiple First-Team All-Pro selections, Pro Bowl |
| Brock Purdy | Pro Bowl selection |
| Kyler Murray | NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, Pro Bowl |
| Larry Fitzgerald | Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, First-Team All-Pro, Pro Bowl |
| Patrick Peterson | Multiple First-Team All-Pro selections, Pro Bowl |
Performance Trends
San Francisco 49ers
- Strong rushing efficiency under Kyle Shanahan.
- Consistently high offensive production.
- Efficient quarterback play in recent seasons.
- Elite tight end usage through George Kittle.
Arizona Cardinals
- Mobile quarterback production with Kyler Murray.
- Heavy reliance on explosive passing plays.
- Offensive success often correlates with quarterback rushing production.
- Improved young receiving talent in recent seasons.
Recent matchups have shown San Francisco producing more balanced offensive performances, while Arizona has relied more heavily on quarterback-driven offense.
Historical Context
The rivalry has evolved through several eras:
| Era | Notable Trend |
|---|---|
| 1980s | Joe Montana and the 49ers dominated |
| 1990s | Steve Young continued San Francisco’s success |
| 2000s | Cardinals became consistent playoff contenders |
| 2010s | Russell Wilson-era Seahawks shared division dominance while 49ers and Cardinals traded competitive results |
| 2020s | Brock Purdy vs. Kyler Murray became a featured quarterback matchup |
San Francisco has historically maintained the edge in total victories despite competitive stretches by Arizona.
Head-to-Head Statistics
All-Time Record
| Team | Wins | Losses |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco 49ers | 38 | 31 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 31 | 38 |
Recent Results
| Date | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Nov. 16, 2025 | 49ers | 41–22 |
| Sept. 21, 2025 | 49ers | 16–15 |
| Jan. 5, 2025 | Cardinals | 47–24 |
| Oct. 6, 2024 | Cardinals | 24–23 |
Recent Form
San Francisco 49ers
Recent verified rivalry performances:
| Game | Result |
|---|---|
| vs Cardinals | Win 41–22 |
| vs Cardinals | Win 16–15 |
Arizona Cardinals
Recent verified rivalry performances:
| Game | Result |
|---|---|
| vs 49ers | Loss 22–41 |
| vs 49ers | Loss 15–16 |
The 49ers entered the 2025 meetings with improved offensive efficiency and won both contests.
Statistical Highlights
- 69 all-time regular-season meetings.
- 49ers lead the rivalry 38–31.
- 41 points scored by San Francisco in the latest verified matchup.
- Brock Purdy: 200 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, 0 interceptions in the November 2025 meeting.
- Christian McCaffrey: 81 rushing yards and 2 rushing touchdowns.
- George Kittle: 67 receiving yards and 2 receiving touchdowns.
- Jacoby Brissett: 452 passing yards despite the Cardinals’ loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who leads the all-time series between the 49ers and Cardinals?
The San Francisco 49ers lead the regular-season series 38–31.
Who won the latest 49ers vs. Cardinals game?
The 49ers defeated the Cardinals 41–22 on November 16, 2025.
Who threw the most touchdown passes in the latest matchup?
Brock Purdy threw three touchdown passes for San Francisco.
Who was the leading rusher for the 49ers?
Christian McCaffrey rushed for 81 yards and two touchdowns.
How many times have the teams played?
They have met 69 times in regular-season NFL competition.
Are complete all-time player statistics for every 49ers vs. Cardinals matchup publicly available?
Comprehensive player-by-player cumulative rivalry statistics are not fully available in a single official public database. Individual game books and season records can be verified through official NFL and Pro Football Reference archives.
Sources and References
The statistics and historical information in this article were verified using the following trusted sources:
- NFL Game Center and official game books.
- Arizona Cardinals official game-day box scores.
- ESPN NFL box scores.
- Pro Football Reference historical matchup database.
