49ers vs Cardinals Prediction, Odds: NFL Week 15 Pick
| 49ers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Over/Under | Moneyline |
-11.5 -110 | 48.5 -110o / -110u | -700 |
| Cardinals Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Over/Under | Moneyline |
+11.5 -110 | 48.5 -110o / -110u | +500 |
I'll be targeting the heavy road favorite for my NFL pick. 49ers vs. Cardinals odds for NFL Week 15 have Arizona listed as a 11.5-point underdog on the spread with a game total of 48.5.
The Super Bowl-favorite 49ers are as dominating as any team they’ve had in their storied history. They are on fire right now, easily handling the competition during their five-game winning streak.
Thus, while laying 11.5 points is more than I’m typically comfortable with, I’m backing them nonetheless for my 49ers vs. Cardinals prediction.
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49ers vs Cardinals Prediction
49ers vs. Cardinals
Matchup Analysis
The 49ers are no strangers to being double-digit favorites. They’ve been favored by 10 or more points in four games, and while they are 2-2 ATS in them, they still managed to win by double-digits in the two they failed to cover.
That’s not really shocking, though, as nine of San Francisco's 10 wins have been by at least 10 points. In fact, last week’s 12-point win over the Seahawks was its second-smallest margin of victory on the year.
Meanwhile, the 49ers have rebounded from an injury-riddled three-game losing streak to win five in a row. They've won handedly, beating the opposition by an average of 19.4 points. Their margins of victory have been 31, 13, 18, 23 and 12 in those contests. Not only that, but all but one of the teams they’ve beaten during this winning streak were in playoff position at the time.
On the other hand, the Cardinals are 1-2 as double-digit 'dogs this season. They covered by 0.5 in a 28-16 loss to the Cowboys in Week 3 but weren’t competitive in the other two. They were shutout, 27-0, by a Browns team laying 13 points, and failed to cover against this same 49ers squad, losing 35-16 despite getting 15 points.
49ers vs. Cardinals Picks | FanDuel
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The Cardinals have been feisty on offense since Kyler Murray returned, but their defense continues to be a train wreck.
It's the second-worst defense in total DVOA, ranking 31st against the pass and 28th against the run. Arizona also allows the third-most points per game.
Meanwhile, the 49ers offense averages the second-most yards (402.3) and third-most points per game (29.2). They also lead the league in offensive DVOA. Add it all up and you get one of the most drastic mismatches on paper between an offense and defense you'll see over the final month of the season.
Finally, it’s impossible to ignore how thoroughly the 49ers dominated Arizona’s dreadful defense in the 35-16 win earlier this year. Christian McCaffrey had his best game of the season, accounting for 177 yards of total offense and four touchdowns.
He carried the ball 20 times for 106 yards and three touchdowns while catching seven passes for 71 and another two scores. The Cardinals had no answer for him the last time they squared off, and there are plenty of signs he may go off once again.
Meanwhile, Brock Purdy was nearly perfect in their previous meeting. The MVP candidate only had one incompletion, going 20-for-21 for 283 yards and one touchdown.
49ers vs. Cardinals
Betting Picks & Predictions
It was an ugly meeting the last time these teams met, and most signs point toward it being another beatdown between the class of the NFC West and the division’s bottom dwellers.
The 49ers’ offense is simply too powerful for one of the league’s worst defenses, and I expect them to run it up against the Cardinals. As a result, I’m aligned with the public in taking San Francisco to obliterate yet another opponent.
However, our PRO report tracks big money and sharp action backing the Cardinals. Arizona has looked better of late, and are fresh off the bye, so it very well might be a closer game than it appears on paper.
It’s totally understandable if you’re leery of laying double-digits. I typically stay away from it, too. However, if there’s any team to trust giving up so many points, it’s the 49ers, although I won’t take it above the -12.5 most books are offering.
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