49ers rally to top Cardinals with game-winning field goal, improve to 3-0 behind Mac Jones

Mac Jones replacing Brock Purdy seems to be working out just fine so far in San Francisco.

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 21: Mac Jones #10 of the San Francisco 49ers throws a touchdown pass against the Arizona Cardinals during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium on September 21, 2025 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Mac Jones replacing Brock Purdy seems to be working out just fine so far in San Francisco. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Thearon W. Henderson via Getty Images

The San Francisco 49ers seem to be doing just fine without Brock Purdy. 

Mac Jones led the 49ers to a late 16-15 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday afternoon, thanks to a game-winning 35-yard field-goal from Eddie Pineiro as time expired. That pushed them to a perfect 3-0, two wins of which have come without their starting quarterback. 

The Cardinals took the lead late on Sunday at Levi's Stadium, and even jumped up by two points after picking up a safety following a Trey McBride touchdown midway through the fourth quarter. But, after shutting down the Cardinals almost immediately, Jones orchestrated a quick 10-play, 63-yard drive to set up Pineiro's final field goal. 

Christian McCaffrey did a bulk of the work on that drive, including hauling in a 20-yard screen pass that got the 49ers into the red zone. 

Jones replaced Purdy after their season-opening win over the Seattle Seahawks, which left Purdy dealing with both a shoulder and a toe injury. The latter was reportedly the more significant one, though it's unclear how long Purdy will be sidelined. He was considered questionable in the days leading up to Sunday's contest, but the team ruled him out ahead of time. 

Jones expertly led the 49ers past the Saints last week while throwing three touchdowns in that narrow win. He went 27-of-41 for 284 yards with a touchdown and an interception in Sunday's win.

While Purdy will almost certainly get his job back eventually, Jones is filling in just fine in the meantime.

This post will be updated with more information shortly.

Category: General Sports