TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — The encore for Minshew Magic turned into Minshew Mediocrity, cementing the Arizona Cardinals' status as sellers as the NFL's trade deadline approaches on Tuesday.
It was a disappointing development for the franchise, which had a chance to move into the playoff conversation after a come-from-behind win over the Dallas Cowboys last week. But they regressed Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks in quarterback Gardner Minshew's first start of the season, falling 17-3 in a game where the offense managed just 198 total yards.
The Cardinals got more bad news Monday when coach Mike LaFleur revealed wide receiver Michael Wilson is out for the season because of a fracture in his neck. He had 546 yards receiving and two touchdowns.
LaFleur put on a brave face after the surprise announcement, but it's fair to wonder how a banged-up offense will score many points.
“That's what we signed up to do,” LaFleur said. "No one's going to feel sorry for you. You get these guys ready, whoever we've got lined up, whoever is up on game day, we get them ready to go play football. That's the good part about being where your feet are and not looking too far ahead.
“We have an opportunity to go 1-0 this week. Put together the best plan we can as coaches, provide as much clarity as we can, and let these guys go shoot their shot. We've got more than capable guys.”
Now that the Cardinals' small flame of postseason hope has been all but snuffed out, general manager Monti Ossenfort will likely concentrate on making moves that can bolster the team's chances in 2027 and beyond. There are multiple players who could be traded, including edge rusher Josh Sweat and safety Budda Baker.
The Cardinals' defense did its part Sunday, holding the Seahawks and backup quarterback Drew Lock to just 295 total yards. That allowed Arizona's offense multiple chances to get back into the game during the second half, though it couldn't take advantage.
“From a defensive perspective, I think we battled," Baker said Sunday. "We battled, we were resilient at times, just taking it one play at a time. I know we had some defensive penalties that we can control and do better, like jumping offsides and stuff like that. I think the defense, we fought hard but we just didn’t get it done.”
The team's red zone offense continues to be a problem with no touchdowns despite two trips inside the 20-yard line. LaFleur put some of the blame on himself, saying he needs to make quicker play-calling decisions.
“I know we can operate better than what we did today and I know I can get some of those calls in a little bit faster where guys don’t feel rushed,” he said Sunday. “The whole point of good offensive football is to go up there and everyone’s calm and it’s already a tough enough environment right here, but that’s where it started for us.”
Safety Andrew Wingard has been a great free agent signing for the Cardinals on a $3 million, one-year deal during the offseason. Wingard had a team-high 12 tackles against the Seahawks, helping lead the team's defensive turnaround after a slow start to the season.
Minshew is now 17-31 as a starting quarterback after Sunday's loss. The 30-year-old wasn't terrible against the Seahawks, completing 21 of 30 passes for 166 yards, but he's not really a consistent difference-maker who can elevate an offense.
It remains to be seen how much longer Minshew remains the starter. If the Cardinals remain out of playoff contention, it will be tempting to give rookie Carson Beck a chance to see if he could be a long-term solution.
Wilson is the latest Cardinals receiver to be lost for the season, joining Kendrick Bourne (ankle) and Jalen Brooks (arm). Center Hjalte Froholdt (concussion) and defensive lineman Roy Lopez (toe) are still being evaluated. Minshew had tests done on his ailing throwing arm and his status is uncertain.
11 — That's the length of the Cardinals' losing streak against the rival Seahawks, which dates to Jan. 9, 2022.
The Cardinals try to snap their 10-game home losing streak when they host the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.
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Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Kevin Ng)
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) and Cardinals cornerback Denzel Burke (29) walk off the field after an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Kevin Ng)
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Gardner Minshew II (15) pauses on the field during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The two big additions the San Francisco 49ers made to their starting defense since coming back from the bye helped them deliver the type of defensive performance they will need to make a playoff run.
With star defensive end Nick Bosa back after missing five games because of a calf injury and DeForest Buckner playing his first game since being traded back to the 49ers during the bye week, San Francisco dominated defensively in a 38-17 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.
“Those are two super disruptive players for our D-line and the offense has to have a plan for them at all times,” linebacker Fred Warner said about Bosa and Buckner. “It frees up a lot of things for the rest of the defense.”
While Bosa and Buckner didn't make many splash plays, their presence helped the defense deliver a lot.
The Niners (7-1) generated five takeaways in a game for the first time in nearly 12 years. All five came in the second half, starting with a pick-6 by rookie Jaden Dugger on the first snap of the third quarter.
San Francisco ended the game with takeaways on the final four drives, with Warner forcing a fumble and recovering one, while Renardo Green and Malik Mustapha had interceptions.
The 49ers also held Las Vegas to 24 yards rushing for the lowest total they allowed in a game since holding Atlanta to 17 yards on Nov. 8, 2015.
That's the formula they will need to replicate on defense down the stretch.
“We have the guys to do it,” Bosa said. “We're going to keep getting better. ... It's great to have (Buckner) back and we have the guys to do it.”
Buckner played his first game for the Niners since the Super Bowl following the 2019 season. He was traded the following offseason to Indianapolis and returned Oct. 27 when he was acquired from the Colts for a fourth-round draft pick.
Buckner had two quarterback hits and got one of the loudest cheers during pregame introductions.
“I definitely had some butterflies today,” he said. “Obviously, my first game being back, I was definitely nervous. I just had to tell myself, ‘Just go out there and play football.’”
Generating takeaways. After back-to-back games with no takeaways, the 49ers had five in a game for the first time since Nov. 16, 2014, against the Giants.
Guarding tight ends. The 49ers allowed 10 catches for 148 yards to Las Vegas tight ends Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer. That was the second-most yards they allowed to opposing tight ends in the last 19 seasons behind the 172 against Arizona on Dec. 17, 2023.
WR Jordan Watkins. With Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel sidelined, Watkins came through with four catches for 86 yards, including a 37-yard touchdown. Watkins has seven catches for 142 yards in his past two games. The 2025 fourth-round pick had only five catches for 82 yards in his career before that.
“J-Wat's done a good job with the opportunity that he's been given,” quarterback Brock Purdy said. “If he's got a one-on-one matchup, I'm not going to shy it down.”
Kick coverage unit. The Niners allowed a 54-yard kick return by Dylan Laube that set up a field goal. San Francisco has allowed the fourth-highest return average this season (27.8 yards per return) and the sixth-worst average starting field position after kickoffs (32).
DT Gracen Halton will miss the rest of the season after breaking his ankle. ... Green (back) and CB Deommodore Lenoir (foot) left the game and are day to day. … WR Deebo Samuel (hamstring) and DT C.J. West (knee) are expected back at practice Wednesday. … WR Mike Evans (Achilles tendinitis) won’t practice Wednesday but hasn’t been ruled out this week.
18 — Christian McCaffrey extended his record with his 18th career game with at least one touchdown run and catch. Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk is second with 15.
The 49ers visit Dallas on Sunday in search of the team's second 8-1 start to a season in the last 15 years. They also did it in 2019 on the way to the Super Bowl.
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San Francisco 49ers middle linebacker Fred Warner (54) celebrates next to linebacker Jaden Dugger (53) after forcing a fumble, which the 49ers recovered, against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Kelley L. Cox)
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Jaden Dugger (53) gestures after returning an interception for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Kelley L. Cox)
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) passes as San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (99) applies pressure during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Kelley L. Cox)
San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (99) is introduced before an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Kelley L. Cox)
