San Francisco 49ers (1-1, 1-1 ATS) @ Arizona Cardinals (2-0, 1-1 ATS)
*ATS= against the spread
BETDAQ Line: San Francisco -3 (42)
Significant Injuries
San Francisco: CB Tramaine Brock (questionable– toe), OT Anthony Davis (questionable– hamstring), TE Vernon Davis (questionable– ankle), C Marcus Martin (out– knee)
Arizona: TE Rob Housler (questionable– hip), QB Carson Palmer (questionable– shoulder), DT Frostee Rucker (questionable– calf), LB Alex Okafor (out– thigh)
Recent Trends
San Francisco is 9-2 ATS in their last 11 road games
San Francisco is 9-2 ATS in the last 11 meetings between these 2 teams
Arizona is 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a win
Arizona is 1-5 ATS in their last 6 Week 3 games
The UNDER is 4-0 in San Francisco’s last 4 road games
The UNDER is 5-1 in Arizona’s last 6 games vs. NFC opponents
The OVER is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings between these 2 teams
Three reasons to back San Francisco
1. The Niners absolutely own the Cardinals, having covered in 9 of the last 11 games between the two teams. The fact that they lost last week while Arizona won is what has kept this line at a very reasonable 3, and at that number sharp bettors should be jumping all over San Francisco.
2. The Cardinals will likely be starting backup quarterback Drew Stanton in this game; Stanton is a journeyman reserve who has been forced into action due to Carson Palmer’s shoulder injury. Will Stanton be able to succeed against one of the NFL’s very best defenses? Not likely.
3. San Francisco is one of the NFL’s best road teams, having covered 9 times in their last 11 games away from home. This week they’ll try to notch another win/cover against a team that’s banged-up on defense and led by a backup quarterback.
Three reasons to back Arizona
1. San Francisco just isn’t as good this season as they have been in years past, especially on defense, where several key performers are either injured or suspended. The lines don’t reflect San Fran’s regression though, which is why the Cardinals are an excellent value as a short home ‘dog this week.
2. The Niners have a one-dimensional offense– they finished 30th in passing offense last season due to quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s deficiencies as a pocket passer. Well, they’ll be even more one-dimensional than usual on Sunday because they’ll be facing the Arizona secondary, which is one of the league’s best. “Limited” is a good word to describe the 49ers offense this week.
3. Arizona quarterback Drew Stanton is viewed as an impediment to winning by oddsmakers and the general public, but keen observers know that Stanton is one of the NFL’s top backups and he is very comfortable in Bruce Arians’ offense, having played for him in Indianapolis as well. The people who are backing the Niners this week because Arizona will be playing a backup quarterback will be very surprised and disappointed if they watch the game.
Prediction
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