Cardinals vs 49ers

Lore & Background

The 49ers and Cardinals first met on November 18, 1951 at Kezar Stadium, with the then-Chicago Cardinals winning 27–21. The Cardinals relocated to St. Louis and then to Phoenix, Arizona in the 1988 season. Following NFL realignment in 2002, the Cardinals joined the NFC West, becoming divisional rivals with the 49ers. The 49ers lead the overall series 38–31. The two teams have not met in the playoffs.

In Their Own Story

The air inside the stadium was thick with anticipation as the Arizona Cardinals lined up against the San Francisco 49ers on a crisp autumn evening. The crowd roared, a mix of red and gold jerseys creating a sea of noise that seemed to shake the very foundations of the venue. As the quarterback dropped back to pass, the pressure of history weighed heavily; this wasn't just another game, but a continuation of an eighty-year saga where every yard gained felt like reclaiming lost ground against a historic foe.

Reader's Guide

The rivalry is closely contested, especially after 2002. Notable moments include the Cardinals' comeback from a 23–0 deficit in the 49ers' first trip to Phoenix, and a 1999 game where Cardinals cornerback Aeneas Williams sacked 49ers quarterback Steve Young, causing a career-ending concussion. In 2005, the teams played the first NFL regular season game outside the U.S. in Mexico City. From 2009 to 2013, the 49ers dominated, winning nine of ten matchups. The Cardinals then won eight straight from 2015 to 2018. In 2022, the teams met again in Mexico for a Monday Night Football game, with the 49ers winning 38–10.

Did You Know?

• The Cardinals are the only team in the NFC the 49ers have not met in the playoffs.
• The 49ers and Cardinals first met in 1951, when the Cardinals were based in Chicago.
• The 2005 game in Mexico City was the first NFL regular season game held outside the United States.