As Trey McBride was sprinting near the Cardinals sideline, he saw 49ers safety Ji'Ayir Brown in his way. Like previous times, the Cardinals tight end was expecting the defender to go low, allowing McBride to leap over the player.

Brown did not go low. It was at that moment that McBride had a realization.

"I was in the air, and I was like 'Uh oh, this is not good,'" McBride said, after the Cardinals beat San Francisco, 47-24.

Remarkably, McBride stayed on his feet and managed to get the first down. "I was just surprised more than anything," he said.

However, McBride hurdles are expected to become more rare.

"I really need to stop," McBride said. "I'm tired of it and obviously they're catching on to it as well, so I don't know if I plan on hurdling."

McBride's performance outshined the viral play. He finished the game as the Cardinals leading pass catcher, hauling in seven receptions for 65 yards and a touchdown. After going 16 straight weeks without touching paydirt, he has scored in back-to-back weeks.

Nabbing his first touchdown last weekend was a relief for the first-time Pro Bowler. Doing it in front of the home crowd over the 49ers was also memorable.

"It was exactly what we were looking for," McBride said. "Man to man on a linebacker, we like that matchup. (Quarterback Kyler Murray) just threw a really good ball and put it where only I could catch it and it was a good play."

Sunday's outing was historic for McBride. He passed 49ers tight end George Kittle for most receptions by a tight end in their first three seasons, with McBride finishing at 221. McBride's 111 receptions are the second-most in franchise history.

He passed Larry Fitzgerald (109) for second, and did so with the legendary wide receiver in the stands.

"Just to be in the same conversation as him or to break any of the records that he has is a huge honor to me," McBride said. "I watched Larry since I was a little kid."

While acknowledging the history the 25-year-old is creating, McBride said he'll allow himself to appreciate the honors as he heads into the offseason.

His quarterback, on the other hand, has been one of McBride's biggest supporters.

"I'll say it every time," Murray said. "I think he's the best in the league and I think he'll continue to get better as we get better together."

The Murray-to-McBride connection has been a bright spot all season. Since the bye week, McBride has been the Cardinals leading receiver in all but one game.

But as a team, the Cardinals -- and McBride -- are looking to get over the next hurdle.

"I'd like to make the playoffs," McBride said. "That's the most important goal. I'm proud of the way that this team finished this season."