GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Cardinals' final passing touchdown of the season was a perfectly placed ball from Kyler Murray to rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. — a 12-yard strike in the fourth quarter that sealed their 47-24 win over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
Arizona hopes that's just a preview of what's coming next season.
''He's only going to get better,'' Murray said of Harrison, the No. 4 overall pick. ''We're only going to get better.''
Murray threw for 242 yards and four touchdowns, two to Greg Dortch, and the Cardinals wrapped up an 8-9 season. Arizona won four more games than last year, but still missed the playoffs for a third straight season.
San Francisco (6-11) lost seven of its final eight, missing the postseason one year after losing the Super Bowl to the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Cardinals led throughout the second half and took a 33-24 lead with 14:16 left in the fourth quarter when Michael Carter sneaked into the end zone just inside the left pylon for a 2-yard touchdown. Arizona put the game away with 5:47 left on Murray's pass to Harrison that made it 40-24.
Tony Jones Jr. ran for a 46-yard touchdown to conclude the scoring and give Arizona its highest point total since 2015.
''We didn't accomplish what we wanted to accomplish this year and that stings,'' Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon said. ''But I'm proud of them. I really am. They fought, they battled. ... To put that kind of effort against the 49ers, a well-coached, tough, physical team, I thought that was cool to see.''