NFL 2024/25: 49ers – Cardinal
The 49ers are still the strongest team in the NFC West. However, they are still not in first place at the start of Week 5 and now have to clear the air in a direct duel against a division opponent.
Thanks to a few returnees, the Californians are too strong for me to tip against a surprise, especially at Levi’s Stadium. However, I still believe Kyler Murray is capable of conjuring up a good 20 points on the board for the “Cards”.
The 49ers (2-2) have started the season slower than many of us would have expected. Sure, there have been some injury issues that have contributed to that.
When players like Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel and George Kittle are on the bench, the offense simply can’t develop the usual power.
But good news for anyone who wants to bet on the Niners: these key players are slowly returning, and that’s giving the offense a boost.
The big question I am asking myself – and I’m sure you are too – is whether the 49ers will finally find their rhythm. When these guys are fit and finally picking up speed, this offense can ultimately tear apart any defense.
The bigger problem in San Francisco, though, is the defense. In particular, the injury to linebacker Fred Warner has had a massive impact so far.
Without him, the 49ers defense is simply not as good as it was in the preseason. In the three games before their clash with the Patriots, a team that is not known for their offensive power, San Francisco allowed an average of 6.1 yards per play.
That’s a number that should make you NFL fans sit up and take notice. Teams like the Jets, Vikings and Rams were able to gain a lot of yardage against SF with relatively little effort.
If the Niners don’t step up defensively against the Cardinals on Sunday, things could get dangerous. While I still expect San Francisco to win, that doesn’t mean that Arizona will go down without a fight!
Let’s move on to the Cardinals (1-3). The offense around Kyler Murray has already shown this season that it can be explosive. In the first two weeks of the season, the Cards scored a whopping 69 points.
That sounds like an offense that can score points, right? But then came the slump. In the last two games, they have only scored 27 points.
This sudden decline in touchdown production is exactly the Cardinals’ problem. Another problem, however, is undoubtedly the offensive line, which is currently plagued by injuries.
Murray may be a dynamic quarterback, but without the necessary support up front, it will be difficult for him to deliver consistently. Nevertheless, players like James Conner and Marvin Harrison Jr. should not be underestimated.
These guys have the potential to score against strong defenses like the 49ers. And even if they go down, they will still score more points than the Patriots did against them.
The main reason the Cardinals are at the bottom of the NFC West is their shaky defense. They have trouble stopping the opponent, and that will be a problem against an up-and-coming 49ers team.
Sure, the Cardinals have shown that they can score, but if their defense continues to be so porous, it will be hard to compete against teams like the Niners.
In my opinion, the 49ers are the clear favorites in this duel, despite their own defensive problems. If they get their offense rolling, it will be hard for the Cardinals to keep up.
My 49ers Cardinals prediction in this context: For every touchdown the Cards score, they’ll get two back!
If you want to bet on the 49ers against the Cardinals, you should take a closer look at the 49ers Cardinals odds and the statistics.
With a promising record of 18-7 in the last 25 duels, there is a lot to be said for a clear victory for the 49ers. A good bet would therefore be the tip “49ers to win with handicap -3.5” at odds of 1.47.
If you want to bet on individual players, take a look at Jordan Mason instead. He has run over 100 yards in three of four games.
A bet on “Mason with TD” (1.85) could therefore be worthwhile and at the same time result in a nice sports betting payout!
Conclusion: In my 49ers Cardinals prediction, I ultimately bet on a victory for the Californians and over 40.5 points in the game.
The Cardinals under Jonathan Gannon have caused upsets against strong teams, but the 49ers dominated them last season with an average of 17.5 points per game.
San Francisco may have some holes in their defense, but the Cards are simply too inconsistent and lack the depth to withstand the pressure over 60 minutes.
My Pick: 49ers Win & Over 40.5 Points
