The 49ers managed to escape defeat on Sunday.

San Francisco went into the locker room at halftime with 23 points and a 13-point lead. At the end of the game, the 49ers went into the locker room as losers by 23 points. A few weeks ago it was the Los Angeles Rams, and on Sunday the Arizona Cardinals took advantage of San Francisco's collapse.

There wasn't a big reason why the 49ers fell apart in the second half, but many factors played a role. A quick recap of the 49ers' second NFC West loss of the season:

The Brock Purdy Experience

If Brock Purdy were ever to get a Michael Vick Experience-style commercial, it would be a nauseating ride that ends with a seven-yard gain and an exit from the field after the first down. Sometimes I'm not sure Purdy knows where his legs are going; his body is just along for the ride.

Sometimes that chaos can lead to good things, like the three first downs Purdy fought for. But sometimes that chaos can lead to negative consequences, like taking a sack after running around for 11 seconds, setting up a third-and-23 and throwing the offense out of already limited field goal range .

Purdy's entire game – both with his feet and his arm – was a roller coaster ride. Kyle Shanahan put a lot of trust in Purdy and dropped the quarterback 41 times – 35 pass attempts, two sacks and four scrambles. And there were some highs. Relying heavily on Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle, Purdy targeted the duo 24 times, with Aiyuk posting a season-best performance and Kittle scoring for San Francisco's only offensive touchdown.

Unfortunately, the Purdy rollercoaster had more downs than ups. Purdy threw two interceptions in the second half and turned the ball over at least once for the fourth straight game, the longest streak of his career.

There were a few throws in the second quarter that could have led to touchdowns if the accuracy had been better. With the offense knocking on the door at the Arizona Five, Purdy found Kittle in the flats with the pylon nearby, but the throw was high, forcing Kittle to halt his momentum to secure the catch just short of the goal line. Two plays later, the 49ers opted for a field goal. As the quarter neared the end and neared the red zone, Jauan Jennings had a step on Jalen Thompson, but Purdy didn't have enough throw to put Jennings ahead, allowing Thompson to catch up and force an incompletion.

Purdy has impressed in recent weeks, but there was too much excitement in his game on Sunday, and there's a strong case to be made that it cost the 49ers the game.

Special teams play the game

Finally! An unexpectedly positive special teams game is a throwback for the 49ers.

Arizona had a chance to tie the game at 13 late in the first half when Chad Ryland lined up to make a 45-yard field goal. The kick landed off the ground, but not for long, colliding with Jordan Elliott's massive, fully extended hand and sending the ball crashing to the ground at the line. With a favorable 49ers bounce, the ball landed in the pocket of Deommodore Lenoir, who returned it for a touchdown.

Not only was it a ten-point blow, but it was also a blow forced by a special forces unit more known for its mistakes that ultimately led to them going their way. It might even be a sign from the football gods that the 49ers' special teams luck is turning.

The special teams luck didn't turn around

After the Lenior score, San Francisco kicked the ball back to Arizona with DeeJay Dallas returning. Dallas took the ball out of the end zone and made a decent 38-yard return.

During the return game, Dallas suffered a tackle attempt by Jake Moody – Moody entered Sunday with no tackles in his career – and rolled Moody's right ankle. Moody had to be helped off the field and later carried to the locker room.

Less than five real-time minutes later, the blocked field goal returned for a touchdown became the 49ers' second most important special teams play.

From then on the game strategy changed. Mitch Wishnowsky hit a 28-yard field goal before halftime, but he couldn't be trusted Sunday. With a chance to extend a ten-point lead, a Jenning penalty and a Purdy sack brought the 49ers back to a fourth-and-23 at the Arizona 27. Shanahan wasn't sure Wishnowsky could handle a 45-yard attempt and had to keep the offense trying on fourth-and-forever. Kittle was shaken trying to catch Purdy's pass – just short of the marker, I might add – and the drive ended. Arizona would respond with a touchdown and the two-point conversion to cut San Francisco's lead to two.

Even on the 49ers' last offensive possession, what would be comfortable field goal range for Wishnowsky? 30 meters? 25? The Moody injury ultimately left the 49ers needing a touchdown in a situation where a field goal would suffice.

Somehow, San Francisco's special forces team found a way to make an impact in the 49ers' loss.

Introducing the Jordan Mason tracker

This tracker is strictly dependent on Christian McCaffrey's health, but is worth keeping an eye on. After finding out he would be a starter in Week 1 just hours before the season began, Mason's pace was better than McCaffrey's impressive 2023 season.

And this is where we will start tracking. Most rushing yards in five games in 49ers franchise history:

1. Jordan Mason (2024) – 536
2. Christain McCaffrey (2023) – 510
3. Garrison Heart (1998) – 481
4. Wendell Tyler (1984) – 477
5. Frank Gore (2006) – 465

Not bad for a running back making his first career start this season. Mason increased his total by 89 yards on 14 carries on Sunday, but went without a touchdown in just the second game of the season. His 34-yard run in the second quarter was the 49ers' longest run of the season and Mason's first 30-yard run of the season, and even then it wasn't the most impressive run of the day for him. Running back sent Sean Murphy-Bunting into the shadows with a stiff yardage en route to a 20-yard run, but that drive ended with a Mason fumble.

Mason's start to the season has been remarkable and he has earned a better touch percentage each time McCaffrey returns. We'll be following Mason's progress regularly as he looks to move up in 49ers history.