Two franchises with quite different offensive schemes, the Arizona Cardinals (+8) are set to play host to their NFC West rival San Francisco 49ers (-8) at University of Phoenix Stadium. The matchup kicks off at 8:20 p.m. ET and FOX is scheduled to televise the action.
Thursday NightBetting Preview: Arizona Cardinals vs. San Francisco 49ers
Arizona is a big underdog in this NFC matchup and is currently receiving 8 points. The 49ers are also receiving -330 moneyline odds while the Cardinals are +260. Oddsmakers have placed the over/under (O/U) at 44. With the Cardinals getting 8 points, oddsmakers think that this could be an 18-26 win for the 49ers. If one squad can catch a lucky break in the early stages, it will likely result in a worthwhile live betting scenario.
The line originally opened at 7 and the O/U was initially set at 43, so it seems that the sharp action is siding with both the 49ers and the over.
The surprising 49ers are 5-2 against the spread (ATS) and have gained 7.3 units so far in 2019. They’ve been a good under bet and have posted an Over-Under record of 2-5.
The Cardinals have lost 0.3 units this season. The team is 5-3 ATS and has an even O/U record of 4-4.
The 49ers have gone 7-0 straight up (SU), including 1-0 SU against NFC West opponents. The Cardinals are 3-4-1 SU overall and 0-1 SU against divisional foes.
The Niners are hoping to stay unbeaten following a 51-13 victory over Carolina in Week 8Their defense allowed the Panthers to run for 130 yards on 19 rush attempts, along with one rushing TD. Christian McCaffrey was on a different level for the Panthers in that one with 117 rushing yards and a score on 14 attempts, along with 38 yards on four catches. On the offensive side of the ball, Jimmy Garoppolo completed 18 passes on 22 attempts for just 175 yards, two scores and one interception. Tevin Coleman (105 yards on 11 rush attempts, three TDs) and Matt Breida (35 yards on 11 carries) provided the ground attack while George Kittle (six receptions, 86 yards) and Emmanuel Sanders (four catches, 25 yards, one TD) manned the receiving duties in the win.
Back in Week 8, New Orleans got the win against this Arizona crew by a score of 31-9. The Cards defense allowed the Saints to pass for 373 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 137 yards. Latavius Murray was on a different level for New Orleans, recording 102 rushing yards and a score on 21 attempts, along with 55 yards on nine catches. For Arizona, Kyler Murray completed 19-of-33 passes for 220 yards. Chase Edmonds (8 rushing yards on seven attempts) mounted the running attack while Christian Kirk (eight receptions, 79 yards) and Charles Clay (three catches, 88 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the loss.
San Francisco’s run the ball on 58.9 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Arizona has a rush percentage of 40 percent. The 49ers have produced 181.1 rush yards per game (including 99 per game against West opponents) and have 13 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Cards are logging 116.5 rushing yards per game (115 in conference) and have eight total rush TDs.
It appears that the 49ers ought to have an edge when it comes to quarterback protection. Their offensive line has given up only 48 sacks while the D-line registered 37 sacks. The Cardinals, on the other hand, have given up 52 sacks and their defense has recorded only 49 sacks.
The Niners offense has averaged 215 yards through the air overall (243 per game versus conference opposition) and has nine passing scores so far. The Cards have recorded 248.5 pass yards per outing (241 in the NFC) and have seven total pass TDs.
San Francisco appears to have the upper hand in both areas of the defense. The team has let opponents rush for an average of 95.7 yards and pass for 158.9 yards per game. The Arizona defense has allowed 296.5 yards per game to opposing passers and 130.1 yards per game to opposing runners. The Niners are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 2.41 to opponents, while the Cards have allowed an 8.15 ANY/A.
Murray has completed 172-of-271 passes for 1,884 yards, seven TDs and four INTs for Arizona. His adjusted net yards per pass attempt stands at 5.72 for the year and 4.92 over his past two games. In the other locker room, Garoppolo is up to 1,338 passing yards this season. He’s completed 120-of-168 attempts with nine passing touchdowns and six interceptions. Garoppolo has a 6.73 ANY/A, including 5.25 over the last two outings.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Arizona Cardinals Free NFL Tip
SU Winner: 49ers, ATS Winner: 49ers, O/U: Under
Team Betting Notes
- The Over/Under for San Francisco’s previous game was set at 40.5. The over cashed in the team’s 51-13 win over Carolina.
- As a team, San Francisco has averaged 4.0 yards per carry over its past three games and 4.8 over its last two.
- Arizona has averaged 3.8 yards per carry over its last three contests and 4.0 over its last two.
- The Arizona offense has lost zero fumbles this season while San Francisco has lost five.
- In its last three matchups, San Francisco is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- The O/U for Arizona’s previous game was 48. The under cashed in the 31-9 defeat to New Orleans.
- In its last three games, Arizona is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- The 49ers offense has produced two pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Cardinals have accounted for six such plays.
- The San Francisco defense has allowed three pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Arizona has given up four such plays.
- The San Francisco offense has created seven rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while Arizona has created six such runs.
- Both teams have allowed four rushing plays of 20 or more yards. The 49ers have given up 17 running plays of 10+ yards while the Cardinals have given up 28 such plays.
- The San Francisco defense has sacked opposing QBs 27 times this year. Arizona has recorded 22 sacks.
