‘Terrible’ Cardinals Defense Ripped by NFL Twitter in Loss to Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle, right, gets past Arizona Cardinals cornerback Marco Wilson (20) and safety Budda Baker, on his way to scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 21, 2022, in Mexico City. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

AP Photo/Fernando Llano

Entering this week’s Monday Night Football matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, the San Francisco 49ers weren’t exactly lighting it up on offense, averaging just 22.0 points per game.

However, the Cardinals made the 49ers look like world-beaters in a 38-10 blowout loss at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

Arizona (4-7) had no answer for San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who threw for four touchdowns for the first time since the 2019 season. The Cardinals also displayed a lack of effort, missing routine tackles as the 49ers pass-catchers outmuscled them. George Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk caught two touchdowns each for the 49ers (6-4).

The Cardinals entered the game with the third-worst scoring defense in the NFL (25.8), but Monday’s showing was still disappointing. Arizona failed to match San Francisco’s energy and couldn’t contain an offense that doesn’t always light up scoreboards.

NFL Twitter let loose on the Cardinals defense for its poor performance against the 49ers:

Antwan V. Staley @antwanstaley

Cardinals defense has been terrible

Wajahat Ali @WajahatAli

The 49ers receivers and Cardinals Defense are making Jimmy G look like a Pro-Bowler.

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport

How the Cardinals look trying to tackle the 49ers pic.twitter.com/3v36pHUdQG

Kyle Odegard @Kyle_Odegard

Cardinals defense has almost everyone healthy and is getting whipped.

Alex Clancy @ClancysCorner

Arizona Cardinals offense just hasn’t done enough. The defense, once again, isn’t built to win games.

Rich Eisen @richeisen

Total disintegration for AZ. @TroyAikman just called it embarrassing.

Budda Baker and JJ will be inconsolable in that locker room.

David Aldridge @davidaldridgedc

Aikman calls out the Cardinals’ defense, and I don’t think that’s the first time tonight they weren’t all-in on tackling Kittle or Deebo.

Tim Kawakami @timkawakami

Wow Cardinals defense

Chuck Harris @chuckh3

The talent differential between the Cardinals and 49ers is on display.

Steve Keim spent the least amount on defense than 31 other teams.

Alex Clancy @ClancysCorner

Reminder for the 100th time:

The Arizona Cardinals defense doesn’t have the talent to win games for the Cardinals.

The offense has all the talent to be able to do that. And they haven’t held up their end of the bargain this season.

FanDuel Sportsbook @FDSportsbook

The Cardinals defense trying to stop the 49ers: pic.twitter.com/aNT27YXNnc

Rohan Chakravarthi @RohanChakrav

The #49ers have just taken the energy out of the #Cardinals defense.

George Kittle has 4 catches for 84 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Huge 38-10 lead now for SF.#49wz

Kropp @KROPPTOP

Cardinals defense getting torched.

Brian Y @byysports

The Cardinals defense trying to stop the 49ers: pic.twitter.com/LAUbdMTgbh

Chris Carlay @cbcarlay

Helps to play a defense that’s bottom third in the league. Cardinals stank. https://t.co/0P5aZ3Tdi2

The Cardinals used to have an offense that could make up for its defensive shortcomings, but that hasn’t been the case this season. Without Kyler Murray, who sat out on Monday with a hamstring injury, the team has no chance of competing if it can’t stop its opponent.

Arizona has a ton of holes to fix before it returns to action on Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers (5-5).

‘Terrible’ Cardinals Defense Ripped by NFL Twitter in Loss to Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers

NFL Playoff Scenarios 2022-23: Standings, Matchups to Watch Entering Week 12

Kyler Murray’s Cardinals Facing Inevitable Rebuild with Lost Season Becoming Reality

Kyler Murray's Cardinals Facing Inevitable Rebuild with Lost Season Becoming Reality