SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The video of Sunday's game will provide the Cardinals with a long list of issues with which they must correct, and Steve Wilks acknowledged that when it was over.
But it didn't stop the half-smile the Cardinals coach had when he was finally asked about how special his first victory was on a personal level.
"Yes it does," said Wilks, after the Cardinals beat the 49ers, 28-18, at Levi's Stadium for Wilks' first win and the Cards' first in five games this season. "Do you know what I've been dealing with the last four weeks? Really? Yes, it feels great.
"Hopefully it's the first of many."
Save for the 75-yard touchdown pass Josh Rosen threw to Christian Kirk on the first offensive play, little was pretty for the Cardinals Sunday. But Wilks talked about how "there is no such thing as an ugly win," and for all the flaws, there were bouts of attractiveness.
Five turnovers will do that, including a crucial strip-sack by linebacker Haason Reddick that fellow linebacker Josh Bynes returned 23 yards for a fourth-quarter touchdown to expand the lead the lead to nine points. The Rosen bomb on the first play too could make a coach swoon.
The defense was beat up on the ground again – 147 yards rushing for the 49ers (1-4), who were down to their third-string running back – and post-Kirk score, the offense again slogged far too often. The 49ers managed to run an astounding 92 plays, beating the Cardinals badly in first downs (33-10) and time of possession (40:12 to 19:48).
For the day, though, the scoreboard was enough.
"To get that first one was great," said safety Tre Boston, who had an interception. "Now we have to keep that momentum."
Besides Reddick and Bynes tag-teaming the score, the Cardinals also got a a Chandler Jones strip-sack, a Tre Boston interception, a Patrick Peterson fumble recovery after a forced fumble by defensive tackle Rodney Gunter and a late Bené Benwikere interception to aid the win.
Benwikere's pick, on the possession after Bynes' score, set up David Johnson's second touchdown of the day. Johnson still struggled to make an impact – 55 yards rushing on 18 carries, two catches for 16 yards – but that was a day-long issue with the offense.
Rosen wasn't as accurate as he was in his first start, and the misfires made a difference. His stats after that first attempt were only 9-for-24 for 95 yards, although he did not turn the ball over.
"It might have been something different every single play," Rosen said of the accuracy issues. "We'll see (Monday). But all I care about is this win. I'm pretty happy we got the first one."
Larry Fitzgerald was smiling after the win and describing the Kirk TD – in which he drew multiple defenders to help open it up for Kirk – but he knew the offense needs to be much more consistent.
"It's discouraging at times," said Fitzgerald, who had two catches for 35 yards. "We didn't do as well as we had hoped."
The 49ers, already crushed by injuries, lost running back Matt Breita to an ankle injury in the first half, had kicker Robbie Gould miss a field goal for the first time after 33 straight makes, and botched an extra-point snap. And there were all the turnovers.
But Wilks stressed the need to stop teams on third downs more, and while Boston wouldn't say the defense was exhausted, he too noted the need to shore up that part of the game.
At least the fixes come after a win. Wilks said the Cardinals knew they had not produced – "we owned it," he said – but at least they aren't dealing with the zero in the victory column any longer.
"It shows how mentally tough we are," Boston said. "An 0-and-4 team, if you're not mentally tough, and you don't believe in your process, you lose that game right there. You see yourself in the same predicament you've been in and you see yourself losing. That's not us. We saw ourselves winning."
Images from the Cardinals' Week 5 contest against the San Francisco 49ers
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Josh Bynes (57) sacks San Francisco 49ers quarterback C.J. Beathard (3) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) passes against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks watches action during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018.
Cardinals DE Chandler Jones gets pressure on 49ers QB C.J. Beathard
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) looks to pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback C.J. Beathard, left, is sacked by Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018.
San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk, bottom, is tackled by Arizona Cardinals defensive back Bene' Benwikere during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Josh Bynes, bottom center, celebrates with teammates after returning a fumble by San Francisco 49ers quarterback C.J. Beathard (3) for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018.
San Francisco 49ers running back Raheem Mostert (31) runs against Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) passes against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018.
Steve Wilks is congratulated on the sideline for getting his first win as an NFL head coach
San Francisco 49ers quarterback C.J. Beathard (3) greets Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen after an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) talks with San Francisco 49ers defensive back K'Waun Williams after an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) waves after an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018.
The Arizona Cardinals celebrate in the locker room after their victory in San Francisco
San Francisco 49ers quarterback C.J. Beathard, bottom, scrambles away from Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (36) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018.
The Cardinals defense gets a stop near at goal line
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) and quarterback Josh Rosen (3) walk off the field after an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018.
San Francisco 49ers running back Alfred Morris (46) runs against Arizona Cardinals defensive back Bene' Benwikere (23) and free safety Antoine Bethea, rear, during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback C.J. Beathard (3) passes against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) runs against San Francisco 49ers defensive back Adrian Colbert (27) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018.
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan stands on the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018.
San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk (44) runs against Arizona Cardinals defensive back Tre Boston, bottom, and linebacker Haason Reddick (43) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018.
Cardinals CB Bene' Benwikere intercepts 49ers QB C.J. Beathard
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) passes against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018.
Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) runs against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback C.J. Beathard (3) passes as Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Chandler Jones (55) applies pressure during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018.
RB David Johnson
San Francisco 49ers running back Matt Breida (22) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (36) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018.
San Francisco 49ers running back Matt Breida (22) runs toward the end zone to score on a touchdown reception against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018.
CB Patrick Peterson returns a fumble
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen, left, passes against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018.
The Cardinals celebrate after stopping the 49ers 2-point conversion attempt
Arizona Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks watches against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018.
Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) runs for a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) passes as San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead (91) applies pressure during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018.
San Francisco 49ers running back Matt Breida (22) runs against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018.
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Josh Bynes (57) sacks San Francisco 49ers quarterback C.J. Beathard (3) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018.
LB Josh Bynes lays a tough hit on 49ers QB C.J. Beathard
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) passes against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018.
Larry Fitzgerald dives for the catch
San Francisco 49ers running back Matt Breida (22) remains on the ground during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018.
WR Christian Kirk catches a 75-yard touchdown
Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) scores a touchdown against San Francisco 49ers defensive back Adrian Colbert (27) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018.
Cardinals LB Josh Bynes returns a fumble recovery for a touchdown
Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) runs against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018.
The Cardinals defense signal they recovered the fumble
Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson, left, runs in front of San Francisco 49ers linebacker Reuben Foster (56) during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback C.J. Beathard (3) passes against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018.
San Francisco 49ers running back Matt Breida, left, runs against Arizona Cardinals free safety Antoine Bethea during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018.
San Francisco 49ers running back Matt Breida (22) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen (3) warms up before an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks watches as players warm up before an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018.
San Francisco 49ers defensive back Richard Sherman warms up before an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) wears pink for cancer awareness before an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018.
The secondary before the game
Cardinals fans at Levi's Stadium
CB Patrick Peterson before the game
