49ers grades in NFC West-clinching win over Cardinals

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The 49ers returned home after Sunday's game with new hats and T-shirts proclaiming them as 2023 NFC West champions. "It's a lock," the shirts read. The 49ers left little doubt, locking up a 45-29 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on a day the offense compensated for an unusually high number of missed tackles. The Cardinals rolled up 436 total yards, but the 49ers came up with two takeaways, including a pick six. And quarterback Brock Purdy and running back Christian McCaffrey picked up some more support for their NFL MVP candidacies. "Came here with one thing on our mind and that was to get a win," 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said after the game. "And we got that done." Here are the grades from the 49ers' decisive Week 15 victory: Rushing offense Christian McCaffrey had a typical Christian McCaffrey day. He led the way on the ground, improving on his NFL-leading total, with 115 yards, a 6.4 average and one touchdown. The 49ers rushed for 144 yards and a 5.5-yard average, including Sam Darnold's two kneel-downs at the end of the game. They picked up nine first downs on the ground. Grade: A-minus Passing offense Brock Purdy did not only keep his MVP hopes alive;...