Programming note: Watch 49ers Press Conference Live today at Noon on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, or streaming live right here.
GLENDALE, Arizona – There weren’t many positives to be gleaned from the 49ers’ 23-14 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
But these three aspects could be provide some reason for encouragement as the season progresses:
1) Stevie Johnson: It took a while for Colin Kaepernick and Johnson to mesh. But they have built a very good rapport since the beginning of the regular season, especially on third downs.
Kaepernick targeted Johnson nine times and those throws resulted in nine completions for 103 yards.
Although Brandon Lloyd actually saw more playing time, there's no question Johnson is the team's No. 3 receiver.
2) Ian Williams: The 49ers’ nose tackle had a rough opening game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Williams looks a lot better as he returns from a fractured lower leg that required four surgeries.
[MAIOCCO: 49ers Week 3 loss to Cardinals: Three negatives]
He generally did a good job of holding the point against a Cardinals’ run game that averaged just 3.1 yards per carry.
Williams had five tackles, including one tackle for a loss.
3) Andy Lee: The 49ers used their punter a lot more in the second half than they wanted, of course. Lee had a fine net average of 41.5 yards on four punts, two of which landed inside the Cardinals’ 20-yard line.
Arizona return man Ted Ginn was held to just one return for 8 yards.
