49ers' Gabbert laments taking two crucial sacks vs Cardinals

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SANTA CLARA – Quarterback Blaine Gabbert threw for the most yards in his career on Sunday against the NFL’s top-ranked defense.

But it’s the two times he failed to throw incomplete passes that will stick with him after the 49ers’ 19-13 loss to the NFC West-leading Arizona Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium.

“We’re in the business of winning and losing,” Gabbert said. “It’s never fun when you’re on the losing side. (I) just got to find ways to put more points on the board.”

[RECAP: Instant Replay: 49ers come up short in battle with Cardinals]

Gabbert, making his third start after taking over for Colin Kaepernick, completed 25 of 36 passes for 318 yards. His passer rating was 94.4. Gabbert was only sacked two times, but both came at inopportune times.

Gabbert was swarmed under and sacked in the first quarter on a third-and-9 play that originated from the Arizona 33-yard line. If Gabbert had been able to dump the ball, kicker Phil Dawson would have had an opportunity for a 51-yard field goal. Instead, the 49ers were forced to punt.

“I can’t take a sack in the first quarter,” Gabbert said. “I left points out there on that drive. Got to find ways to put points on the board.”

Gabbert had the 49ers on the move late in the game for what could have been the game-winning drive. The 49ers gained 49 yards on four pass completions. But on third down from the Arizona 30, safety Tony Jefferson dropped Gabbert for a 10-yard sack.

“I just got to find a way to get the ball out,” Gabbert said. “They have a tendency to bring pressure after you get a completion, especially in the two-minute drill. It’s just unfortunate. I tried to slip a tackle and maybe get a run in there. But I got to find a way to move the ball. I can’t take a sack in that situation.”

Said 49ers coach Jim Tomsula, “We would’ve liked to (avoid the sack). You don’t want to take a sack there at all. We obviously don’t want that, so if there’s a way to get rid of the ball, we want to.”

The sack set up a fourth-and-20 situation. The Cardinals came with another blitz and Gabbert made the throw to Anquan Boldin, whose reception netted 18 yards before safeties Tyrann Mathieu and Rashad Johnson teamed up for the tackle.

“There’s a clock going off in your head and you have to break or else they’ll get to the quarterback by that time,” Boldin said. “I tried to get as deep as I can and make a break on it.”

Aside from those plays and a first-half interception, Gabbert again played a solid game as he is entrenched as the starter with Kaepernick out for the season after undergoing surgery on his left shoulder.

“He’s a heck of a quarterback,” Boldin said of Gabbert. “You guys see it. He’s poised. He’s under control. He has a good control of the offense. He understands where to go with the ball. He understands when he’s hot and when to get rid of it. He’s playing good for us right now.”

Boldin caught eight passes for his second 93-yard receiving game in a row – matching his production last week against the Seattle Seahawks. Tight end Vance McDonald recorded career-bests for the second game in a row, too. He had six receptions for 71 yards.

“Blaine and Kap are two different quarterbacks,” McDonald said. “Both can make plays that the others can’t.”

When asked if Gabbert’s style is more conducive to getting the ball to the tight ends, McDonald said, “I don’t know. You guys can be the judge of that.”

Boldin said Gabbert’s play has been encouraging for an offense that came into the game ranked last in the NFL.

“He has everybody fighting for him,” Boldin said. “Everybody is comfortable with him being behind center. Guys are out there making plays for him, blocking their butts off. Receivers are getting open and catching the ball. We’re all behind him.”

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