While there are many interesting games with playoff implications, not many NFL matchups this week (or any) open with a two-touchdown spread, the Arizona Cardinals close out a disastrous season listed at +14 on the point spread when they face the number two seed in the NFC, the San Francisco 49ers.
We’ll review the stats, trends, odds, and injuries for our Cardinals vs 49ers prediction before making our NFL picks, including if the 49ers can cover -14 points with second place in the NFC playoffs hanging in the balance.
Arizona Cardinals vs. San Francisco 49ers Game Info and Analysis
Game: Arizona Cardinals (4-12) vs. San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
Where: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California
When: Sunday, January 8th, 2023, 4:25 p.m. ET
Watch: Fox
Arizona Cardinals Performance Recap and Analysis
The 2022 Arizona Cardinals schedule ends this weekend with their final NFC West Divisional matchup in San Francisco. Arizona’s injury report has piled up and has left quarterback David Blough as the starter for the Cardinals.
Offensively, the Cardinals are going to struggle more than they have throughout the season. The Cardinals are ranked 21st in total years, averaging 327.8 yards per game. Arizona is ranked 18th in passing yards, averaging 214.5 yards per game. The Cardinals average 20.4 points per game, ranked 21st overall.
Expect Arizona’s 20th-ranked rushing offense to get the bulk of the offensive plays in a conservative game plan on Sunday. Arizona is averaging 113.3 rushing yards per game.
Defensively, Arizona is also ranked 21st overall, giving up an average of 351.3 total yards per game. The Cardinals are ranked 25th in passing yards, giving up 235.8 yards per game, while they are ranked 13th against the run, giving up 115.4 rushing yards per game. Arizona’s turnover differential is +1, and they are ranked 30th overall, giving up an average of 25.7 points per game.
Key Injuries
The Cardinals NFL injury report is very notable for this weekend’s NFL schedule. Arizona’s leader in offensive NFL player stats, quarterback Kyler Murray, has undergone successful knee surgery and is out until sometime next season, while Colt McCoy is out with a concussion. Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has been listed as out, further hurting Arizona’s offensive potential on Sunday.
Defensive lineman J.J. Watt is listed as questionable, while cornerback Antonio Hamilton did not practice and is questionable for Sunday.
In total, the Cardinals have 17 players listed in some form of out or questionable for Sunday as of publication.
Betting Trends to Know
Looking at the NFL team standings, the Cardinals are 1-7 against the spread (ATS) when facing NFC West competition. Arizona is 1-4 ATS against a team with a winning record. The Cardinals are 1-4 ATS in the last five games following an ATS win.
The road team is 4-1-1 ATS in the last six Arizona vs. San Francisco games.
San Francisco 49ers Performance Recap and Analysis
While there might not seem like much left to play for in San Francisco 49ers games, the 49ers need to win this game to maintain their number two seed in the NFC playoffs ahead of the Minnesota Vikings.
The San Francisco 49ers NFL team stats are remarkable heading into the season’s final week.
Offensively, the 49ers are ranked fifth overall in the NFL, averaging 369.1 yards per game. San Francisco is ranked 13th in passing yards, averaging 232.1 yards per game. The 49ers are ranked ninth in rushing the ball, averaging 136.9 yards per game, and are ranked seventh overall, averaging 25.8 points per game.
Defensively, San Francisco is among the best in the league. The 49ers have the number one rushing defense in the NFL, holding teams to 78.8 yards per game and first overall, giving up an average of 16.5 points per game. San Francisco’s defense struggles more against passing attacks, ranked 19th overall and giving up 224.7 yards per game.
Key Injuries
Important to know for San Francisco’s chances to cover the spread is that Deebo Samuel, Elijah Mitchell, and Christian McCaffrey are all listed as probable or questionable for Sunday.
Betting Trends to Know
The San Francisco 49ers are 7-0 ATS in their last seven games against the NFC west, 4-0 ATS in their last four home games, and 4-0 in in the last four home games against a team with a losing record.
The over is 4-0 in the 49ers’ last four games on a grass playing surface.
Arizona Cardinals vs. San Francisco 49ers Odds
Before we make our Cardinals vs 49ers prediction and NFL free picks, we need to review the odds.
Arizona Cardinals vs. San Francisco 49ers Betting Picks
Moneyline: Unless the San Francisco 49ers don’t show up on Sunday, the 49ers are going to win this game on the moneyline. The odds are preposterous, but it’s a guaranteed win as the 49ers prepare for the NFL playoffs.
Spread: This is the biggest question for your Cardinals vs 49ers prediction: if the 49ers can cover the two-touchdown spread? While it is the last game of the season and the Cardinals are playing out the schedule, the 49ers have something to play for and will jump out to an early lead and rest important players.
We’re taking the 49ers to win and cover the 14-point spread. The Cardinals are so banged-up that we think they will lose by double digits. Take the 49ers to cover the spread in an early blowout.
Over/Under: The 49ers have hit the over in the last two games and will score 20+ points before getting an easy win. However, we don’t expect Arizona to be very good offensively on Sunday and won’t put up many points. We’re taking the under of 40 or 40.5 points.
Arizona Cardinals vs. San Francisco 49ers Score Prediction
The final score of our Cardinals vs 49ers prediction is San Francisco 49ers 27 – Arizona Cardinals – 10.
NFL Pick: San Francisco 49ers moneyline, 49ers -14, Under
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