49ers score via lateral trick play to beat Cardinals in NFC West clash
Deebo Samuel caught a lateral from Mike Evans and ran 80 yards for a touchdown on San Francisco's opening drive against Arizona.
The San Francisco 49ers opened their game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday with a heads-up play, as Mike Evans flipped a lateral to Deebo Samuel, who took it 80 yards for a touchdown. The trick play put the 49ers up 7-0 early in the first quarter.
San Francisco came into the matchup missing several key defenders including Nick Bosa and James Thompson Jr., but Evans was declared active despite a hip injury. The 49ers won the game to improve to two straight victories after beating the Rams in Australia and the Dolphins in Week 2.
Arizona, which surprised the NFL by beating the Chargers in Week 1, fell to the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks 31-7 the following week. Both teams entered Sunday's NFC West matchup looking to build momentum in the division.
- 80 yards
- Touchdown run
- 7-0
- 49ers lead
- 8:26 left in Q1
- Time remaining
- 4 players
- Missing defenders
Why it mattersThe lateral TD showed San Francisco's offensive creativity. The 49ers won despite missing key defensive players.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect beyond those following the NFL and the 49ers' season.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 50 min ago
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