The 49ers suffer another 4th-quarter collapse under coach Kyle Shanahan

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The defense wilted in the heat, the offense couldn't finish drives or protect the ball and the San Francisco 49ers blew another late lead to a division opponent in frustrating fashion.

Brock Purdy threw two interceptions in the second half, Jordan Mason lost a fumble in the red zone and San Francisco allowed Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals to drive for two fourth-quarter scores in a 24-23 loss Sunday that looked eerily familiar to an earlier defeat against an NFC West foe.

Two weeks after blowing a 24-14 lead in the fourth quarter to the Los Angeles Rams, the Niners (2-3) did it again as they couldn't protect a 23-13 advantage against Arizona. This marked the sixth time they have blown a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter in the regular season and playoffs under coach Kyle Shanahan, tied for the most by any coach in the NFL since he was hired in 2017.

“It's super frustrating,” All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams said. “Obviously, we have to figure out how to close out games and how to get teams out early when we have the chance.”

The Niners had plenty of chances to be in control thanks to a blocked field goal that Deommodore Lenoir returned for a touchdown in the first half and an interception by Nick Bosa that set up a field goal.

But San Francisco let the Cardinals hang in the game and pull it out late with Murray throwing a 2-yard TD pass to Elijah Higgins followed by James Conner's 2-point conversion that made it 23-21.

Murray then converted a fourth-and-5 pass under heavy pressure to rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. on the winning drive with the running game doing the rest.

“In the second half, we kind of melted down,” All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner said. “Too much leaky yardage, missed tackles, not fitting it right.”

The blunders by the offense were even more costly. The 49ers settled for field goals three times after getting inside the 10 in the first half. They had another red zone drive in the second half end in a turnover on downs when they went for it on fourth-and-23 because kicker Jake Moody was out with a high ankle sprain.

Then the most costly mistake came when Jordan Mason lost a fumble on first and goal from the 8 with 6:20 to play and San Francisco protecting a two-point lead.

“I just got to be better and more aggressive down there, and collectively as a unit, obviously once we get down there, all of us our mindset man has to be we’ve got to punch this in,” Purdy said. “We know we can settle for a field goal, but we have to hold ourselves to a higher standard, and cross the goal line."

Despite all that, the 49ers still had a chance when they took over at their own 27 with 1:32 to play. Purdy completed a 15-yard pass to George Kittle to get the drive started. But on the next play Jalen Thompson came in unblocked on a blitz and hit Purdy, forcing him into a floater that was intercepted by Kyzir White to seal the win.

After going 11-1 in the division the past two seasons — with the only loss coming when several starters rested in a Week 18 game last season against the Rams — San Francisco has lost its first two NFC West games headed into a showdown with first-place Seattle on Thursday night.

“The standard here is excellence,” Purdy said. "What we’ve proven the last couple of years of the standard of what we can play at, that’s what we’re trying to get to. It’s early in the season and we’re still trying to find our true identity as a team. We’re getting there. It’s a couple of plays away and a couple of drives away from gelling and gluing together. So I’m confident that we’ll find it.

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Arizona Cardinals linebacker Kyzir White (7) intercepts a pass in front of San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., top, catches a pass in front of San Francisco 49ers cornerback Isaac Yiadom during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason, middle, runs against Arizona Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson, left, and linebacker Jesse Luketa during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Krys Barnes, left, tackles San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) walks toward the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan walks on the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

CINCINNATI (AP) — Joe Burrow had a career day and the Cincinnati Bengals led by 10 points three times in the second half.

That still wasn't enough.

The defense couldn't stop Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens' offense in a stunning 41-38 overtime loss.

“We’re 1-4, so obviously something has to change,” Burrow said. “We’re not a championship-level team right now. I’d like to think we’ll come back and improve throughout the season to get to that point, but right now, we are not.”

Burrow passed for 392 yards and a career-high five touchdowns, including two to Ja'Marr Chase, who finished with 12 catches for 193 yards.

“Putting up 30 points is something that we want to do on a regular basis,” Chase said. “Putting up 30 points and losing isn’t something we want to do.”

Baltimore led 14-9 in the second quarter when Cincinnati's Sam Hubbard tackled Derrick Henry in the end zone for a safety. On the ensuing possession, Burrow hit Chase for a 41-yard touchdown and Chase Brown ran for a 2-point conversion to give the Bengals a 17-14 lead at halftime.

Cincinnati had second-half leads of 24-14, 31-21 and then 38-28 after a 70-yard catch and sprint by Chase with 8:54 left in the fourth quarter. Each time, Jackson and the Ravens responded to keep the pressure on the Bengals offense.

“My statement (earlier this week) rang true,” Burrow said. “Perfect is what we needed, but that's not what we did.”

The Bengals did a good job controlling the Ravens' top-ranked rushing offense, but Jackson threw for 348 yards and four TDs while running for 55 yards.

“We got it rolling on offense eventually, but so did they," Burrow said

With five minutes remaining and the ball at the Bengals 6, Jackson scrambled back to the 20, shoved Hubbard to the turf and found Isaiah Likely in the corner of the end zone for the touchdown.

“They've got a great quarterback,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said. “You have to be aggressive. He answered the bell, often. He's strong. He's athletic. He's tough to bring down.”

Burrow’s one mistake was costly, an interception by Marlon Humphrey on a pass intended for Chase with 3:05 left that led to Tucker’s tying field goal at the end of regulation.

“Marlon’s a great player,” Burrow said. “He’s a smart, savvy player. Knows what we’re trying to do in that situation. He played it perfect.”

The Ravens were driving for a potential winning touchdown in overtime when Jackson fumbled the snap and Germaine Pratt recovered at the Ravens 37. But the Bengals couldn't take advantage.

Brown ran three times for 3 yards and Evan McPherson's 53-yard field goal attempt sailed wide after holder Ryan Rehkow mishandled the snap.

Burrow agreed with the Bengals' conservative approach.

“I'm not going to second-guess that," Burrow said. "We’re in field goal range. Yes, you want to get yards to make it easier on him. As good as their rush is, you always take a chance at getting sacked in that situation.”

After a relatively quiet afternoon, Henry followed McPherson's miss with a 51-yard run to set up Justin Tucker's 24-yard game-winner.

Henry had 14 carries for 41 yards and a TD before that run as the Bengals managed to keep the Ravens’ rushing attack in check.

What they couldn’t do was slow Jackson.

“That was the main thing, to stop the run,” Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt said. “That last one got out and that ended the game.”

And put Cincinnati in a big hole just five games into the season.

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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) reacts with teammate Ja'Marr Chase (1) after catching a touchdown pass against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

Cincinnati Bengals players approach offensive tackle Amarius Mims as he is carted off the field during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, left, catches a touchdown pass against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Erick All Jr. (83) hurdles over Baltimore Ravens cornerback Brandon Stephens (21) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown reacts after catching a touchdown pass against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown, right, runs in a touchdown after making a catch in front of Baltimore Ravens linebacker Trenton Simpson during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) gestures in front of Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey (44) following a play during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow speaks to reporters following an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Cincinnati. The Ravens won 41-38 in overtime. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, left, walks near Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Broderick Washington following an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Cincinnati. The Ravens won 41-38 in overtime. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow speaks to reporters following an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Cincinnati. The Ravens won 41-38 in overtime. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)