SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Josh Rosen took his lofty praise in stride last week, telling reporters he would have gladly traded an impressive starting debut for a poorer performance and a win.
The Cardinals' rookie quarterback got his wish on Sunday. Rosen's second career start was less-than-stellar, as he completed 10-of-25 passes for 170 yards and a touchdown, but the team notched its first victory of the season with a 28-18 victory over the 49ers.
Rosen's claim was brought up the minute he stepped to the postgame press conference podium, and he confirmed his feelings had not changed.
"I'd take this," Rosen said with a smile, "every time."
Rosen started off with a bang, as a play-action call on the first play of the game resulted in a 75-yard touchdown to Christian Kirk. Kirk said he was told of the opening-play shot by the coaches on Friday; Rosen said he learned of it on Saturday.
"I was excited," Kirk said. "All we had to do was go out there and execute it."
Rosen, never shy to throw the ball downfield, liked the early aggressiveness.
"We wanted a spark," Rosen said.
The rest of the game was not as smooth. The Cardinals scored four touchdowns in the contest, but one was by linebacker Josh Bynes and two more were on short fields following defensive takeaways.
Rosen credited San Francisco's defensive looks for some of the problems, and a few of his passes sailed when receivers were open.
"Some throws that he would like to have back, but there were some where he did an outstanding job putting it on the receivers," Wilks said.
Rosen said it is important to remember that the offense is a work in progress. The first play of the game showed its capability when clicking, and Rosen also had a few laser throws that again reminded onlookers of his special arm talent.
However, there were hiccups, as the team only had 10 first downs – compared to 33 for the 49ers – and was 2-of-12 on third down.
"A lot of it's on me," Rosen said. "Just trying to break the offense in. I didn't get a lot of the training camp reps, and we're sort of working the kinks out now. It's a long season. We have a long ways to go. And even if I didn't play as well as I wanted to, at least we had more points than the other team."
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
