SANTA CLARA -- Heading into Week 1, there was a lot of talk around 49ers' headquarters about the need to be disciplined.
That might remain a priority in their upcoming two-game road trip.
Kyler Murray took advantage of the 49ers' missed assignments in their 24-20 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, showing why he's the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year.
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Linebacker Fred Warner now has lived through the Murray challenge three times. While penalties and the canceled preseason didn’t help the 49ers' defense Sunday, he knows the team must be more disciplined moving forward.
“That’s something that you have to overcome in Week 1, just in general every year, but this year even more so,” Warner said after the loss. “We could have been a lot better as a team in all three phases.”
Murray looked unstoppable at times Sunday, carrying the ball 13 times for 91 yards and a touchdown while also completing 26 of his 40 attempts for 230 yards and another TD. He seemed to find wide-open running lanes as the 49ers struggled to contain him.
San Francisco 49ers
Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins torched the 49ers' defense in his Cardinals debut, hauling in 14 of his 16 targets for 151 yards and setting up Arizona's game-winning TD.
The 49ers' offense didn’t help the situation by being unable to sustain a lengthy drive in the second half. Time of possession swung into the Cardinals' favor as the 49ers struggled through the fourth quarter.
Meanwhile, the 49ers’ defense looked gassed as the Cardinals offense kept it rolling in fifth gear. Murray obviously poses a unique set of problems for any defense, but the 49ers didn't help themselves with a lack of discipline.
“Making sure the integrity in our pass rush lanes were on point.” Warner said, explaining how the 49ers could've improved against Murray. “It just takes all 11 getting to him when he breaks the pocket.”
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Warner and the defense know they have a lot of work ahead getting refocused for Week 2. Still, there is no sense of panic in the 49ers' locker room.
“We got to watch the tape, correct what we need to correct, have a great week of practice so we can make sure we fix those things heading into next week.” Warner said.