How 49ers’ loss to Cardinals was first of its kind in NFL history

Throughout NFL history, when a team gains 30 or more first downs and allows 10 or fewer first downs in a game, they usually win. In fact, since 1954, teams had been 46-3 in that situation.

Until Sunday.

The 49ers gained 33 first downs and held the Cardinals to 10 first downs, but Arizona came away with a 28-18 win in Santa Clara.

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So the 49ers are the fourth team in NFL history to lose in this scenario. But of the four, they are the first to lose by double digits.

The 49ers are the first team in NFL history to pick up 30 first downs, hold their opponent to 10 or fewer first downs, and lose by double-digits.

After today, NFL teams are 46-4 all time when they pick up 30 first downs and hold their opponent to 10 or fewer.
— Bobby Belt (@BobbyBeltTX) October 7, 2018

If look at the box score, the 49ers dominated in most offensive categories. They had 92 total plays to Arizona's 49. They outgained the Cardinals 447 to 220. They converted 10 of 17 third-down plays, while the Cardinals went 2 for 12 in those situations.

Somehow, the 49ers still lost.