SANTA CLARA — The 49ers are atop the NFC West in a most unusual fashion. They’re doing enough just to get by on offense with key players on the sidelines, nowhere near the juggernaut they were in previous years when they were laying waste to the division and going deep into the playoffs.

The latest example Sunday was a 16-15 win over the Arizona Cardinals, with a 10-play 63-yard drive finished off by a 35-yard field goal by Eddy Pineiro. The play was set up on a middle screen to Christian McCaffrey, who broke loose for 20 yards on a pass from Mac Jones to keep the field goal attempt at a reasonable distance.

Without George Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk, Brock Purdy and Jauan Jennings, this isn’t your father’s 49ers offense, Or even that of your uncle or aunt. This was Jones, McCaffrey and Ricky

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