Betting Odds
Point Spread: 49ers -10
Total: 40.5
Arizona won their 2nd-straight game last week with a 21-17 victory at Philadelphia. San Francisco won their 7th-straight game last Sunday with a 27-20 comeback victory over the Giants.
The Cardinals will want to be balanced on offense this week but will be hard-pressed to get RB Chris “Beanie” Wells going against the stout run defense of the 49ers. However, they won’t abandon the run if they struggle early as Wells is capable of breaking big runs. QB John Skelton is expected to start for the third-straight week and has been instrumental in the two victories. He has developed good chemistry very quickly with WR Larry Fitzgerald. They teamed for two TDs last week and have combined for three total TDs in Skelton’s two starts. San Fran’s pass defense isn’t nearly as good as their run defense and they will have their hands full with Fitzgerald. WR Early Doucet has also emerged giving Skelton another top target. Arizona has had some issues in pass protection and will have to improve on the edges to give Skelton time to make throws.
San Francisco’s offense is built around RB Frank Gore but he is nicked up right now. He hurt his knee last week and was in for only one play in the second half against the Giants. Backup RB Kendall Hunter is averaging 4.8 yards-per-carry but at 5’7”, 199 lbs. is a liability in pass protection. QB Alex Smith led the way in the second half last Sunday and has a great 11-3 TD/INT ratio this year. TE Vernon Davis and WR Michael Crabtree are the top two targets for Smith but Arizona’s young secondary is starting to improve. In fact, they rank higher than the 49ers in pass defense. DE Calais Campbell is their top pass rusher with five sacks but several players have started to contribute in the pass rush. If Gore is limited, the front seven should be able to handle the running game.
Four of Arizona’s six losses have been by four points or less. Conversely, only two of San Francisco’s eight wins have been by more than 10 points and five of them have been by seven points or less. The 49ers had a big game last week and travel to Baltimore next week. While the Cardinals are a divisional rival, this is still a bit of a sandwich situation. We like how the Arizona offense has improved with under center and feel they can stay within the number.
Take the Cardinals +10
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