The Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers are both mired in what already are lost seasons, as they square off in Week 8 with identical 1-6 records. While the spread is set as a pick’em game, recent history is in the host Cardinals’ favor, as they have won the past five meetings. The total for this contest is set at 43.5.
- The UNDER has hit in five of Arizona’s last six home games.
- The UNDER has hit in four of San Francisco’s last six games at Arizona.
- San Francisco is 2-5 ATS in its last seven games.
49ers vs Cardinals Game Center
THIS SUNDAY I’M BETTING ON THE 49ERS
When you have two struggling teams, both coming off massive blowout losses and sporting a number of glaring weaknesses, how do you decide who has the better chance of winning? Well, you look at recent history … and throw it out the window.
Arizona has won the past five meetings, but oddly enough has had a larger margin of victory in San Francisco (average margin of 11 points) than when playing in Arizona (average margin of three points). In their most recent meeting, a 28-18 Cardinals victory in Week 5, the 49ers gained 447 yards and 33 first downs — both season worsts for Arizona’s defense — but committed five turnovers. The Cardinals have not forced more than two turnovers in any other game this season, so the likelihood of them forcing another extremely crooked number is unlikely. Arizona mustered only 220 yards of offense that game, so unless buoyed by turnovers again, the Cardinals’ struggling offense is likely to remain grounded.
The San Francisco offense, meanwhile, has still been able to score points in the wake of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo’s season-ending ACL injury, but the defense has allowed the most points in the league.
Given San Francisco’s biggest weakness is unlikely to be exploited by Arizona, and the tendency of games in Arizona to be much closer than in San Francisco, this game will also likely come down to the wire — and I think San Francisco pulls it out.
CAN BREIDA PLAY — AND STAY IN THE GAME?
Every week, it’s the same story for San Francisco: starting running back Matt Breida plays, he gets hurt, he returns, and then he gets hurt again.
Breida currently leads the 49ers with 445 yards and averages 6.5 yards per carry, filling in as the starting running back for the injured Jerick McKinnon, but he also leads them in the unofficial stat that is leaving the game with injury.
In Week 7, Breida suffered an ankle injury in the first quarter. He returned to the game but was pulled before halftime and did not return.
Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan said he will reassess Breida throughout the week. If he is unable to play, or leaves early again with an ailment, San Francisco will be forced to go with its third- and fourth-string running backs.
Facing an Arizona defense that has surrendered the most rushing yards in the league, San Francisco would greatly benefit from having as strong a rushing attack as possible on Sunday, as the longer the Niners can control the ball, the less often their porous defense has to be on the field. An able-bodied Breida would provide much better reassurance in that area, and would also have a greater impact on keeping the score lower, making the UNDER an appealing play.
BIRDS FLYING THE COOP?
When you’re stuck in a 1-6 season, your offense is among the league’s worst and you just suffered your worst defeat of the year, tensions are going to rise.
Those tensions hit a point Monday, with star cornerback Patrick Peterson publicly said he “desperately” wanted to be traded away from Arizona prior to the Oct. 30 trade deadline.
The Louisiana State University product, a seven-time Pro Bowler, had expressed a strong interest in playing for the New Orleans Saints.
It’s difficult to keep morale high in a losing season no matter what, but when your most talented player publicly waves the white flag, not just on the season but the entire franchise, it’s extremely difficult to imagine any scenario where Arizona doesn’t suffer more lopsided defeats.
