The San Francisco 49ers (+1) are traveling east to face the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. This NFC West game gets going at 4:25 p.m. ET and FOX is scheduled to broadcast the action.
Week 8 Betting Preview: Arizona Cardinals vs. San Francisco 49ers
In this Sunday NFC matchup, Arizona is projected as the favorite and the team’s currently giving up 1 point. The 49ers are also receiving -115 moneyline odds while the Cardinals are -105. If one team can get out in front early it would produce a worthy live betting scenario. Oddsmakers have placed the over/under (O/U) at 43 points.
With the line opening at 0 and the O/U set originally at 43.5, bookmakers have shifted the odds slightly.
The 49ers are 2-5 against the spread (ATS) and have lost 5.5 units so far in 2018. The team has posted an O/U record of 5-2.
The Cardinals have lost 5.0 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 3-4 ATS and have an O/U record of 3-4.
The 49ers are 1-6 straight up (SU), including 0-2 SU against NFC West opponents. The Cardinals are 1-6 SU overall and 1-2 SU versus divisional foes.
The Niners are looking to bounce back after a 39-10 defeat to the Rams last week. The passing game the big culprit C.J. Beathard completed only 15-of-27 passes for 170 yards, one score and two interceptions. Alfred Morris (just 25 yards on nine rush attempts) and Raheem Mostert (59 yards on seven carries) led the running attack while George Kittle (five receptions, 98 yards, one TD) and Mostert (four catches, 19 yards) handled the receiving duties in the defeat.
Arizona just suffered a 45-10 defeat to Denver a week ago. The team’s defensive unit let the Broncos run for 131 yards on 31 rush attempts, including two rush TDs. Emmanuel Sanders put up a good outing in the win for Denver, recording 102 yards on six catches. For Arizona, Josh Rosen completed 21-of-39 passes for 194 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. David Johnson (39 rushing yards on 14 attempts) mounted the running game while Larry Fitzgerald (four receptions, 40 yards, one TD) and Chad Williams (four catches, 34 yards) led the receiving corps in the loss.
San Francisco has run the ball on 45.4 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Arizona has an overall rush percentage of 40.1 percent. The 49ers have produced 137.4 rush yards per game (including 127.0 per game versus West opponents) and have four scores on the ground this year. The Cards are averaging 64.6 rushing yards per game (67.3 in conference) and have five total rush TDs.
It appears that the 49ers should have the edge in terms of effectiveness in the ground game. Their backfield has logged 5.0 yards per carry while the defense is allowing 4.0 YPC to opponents. The Cardinals have registered 3.2 yards per carry and given up a YPC of 4.4 to opponents.
The Niners offense has averaged 254.3 yards through the air overall (259.5 per game versus conference opposition) and has 12 passing scores so far. The Cards have recorded 174.3 pass yards per contest (147 in the NFC) and have five total pass TDs.
Defensively, San Francisco has allowed opponents to run for an average of 105.0 yards and throw for 278.9 yards per game. The Arizona D has given up 253.1 yards per game to opposing passers and 148.3 yards per game to opposing runners. The Cards are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 6.04 to opposing QBs, while the 49ers have allowed a 7.76 ANY/A.
Offensively, Beathard is up to 817 passing yards this year. The signal-caller has completed 72-of-118 attempts with five passing scores and six interceptions. Beathard has a 4.15 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 4.63 over the last two outings.
Josh Rosen has completed 50-of-98 passes for 580 yards, three TDs and four INTs for Arizona. His ANY/A stands at a minuscule 3.72 for the season and 2.52 across his past two games.
San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals Free NFL Pick
SU Winner: Cardinals, ATS Winner: Cardinals, O/U: Under
