Two NFC West rivals will face off against each other on Saturday as the San Francisco 49ers travel to State Farm Stadium to take on the Arizona Cardinals. San Francisco enters this game with a 5-9 record after losing to Dallas on the road by eight points in its last game while Arizona enters this game with an 8-6 record after beating Philadelphia at home by seven points in its last game. This game will start at 4:30 P.M. EST.
Arizona won the first matchup on Sept. 13, 24-20 at home.
(Late line movements and injury reports were updated on Friday evening.)
Line movements: There hasn’t been much movement in regards to the line in this contest. After originally opening as a five-point favorite, the Cardinals are now sitting as a 4.5 or five-point favorite at the majority of sportsbooks for this contest. 78 percent of the bets ATS are backing the Cardinals giving the points at home in this NFC West battle as Arizona tries to improve their place in the NFC wild-card picture.
The total was originally set at 48.5 points and has remained flat as the week has gone on. It now can be found at that same 48.5-point mark at the majority of sportsbooks. As it stands, 57 percent of the bets on the total are expecting this one to end up falling short the total with the 49ers starting their third-string quarterback in this contest.
Game-time Weather: State Farm Stadium is a retractable roof stadium. That means 68 degrees, no precipitation and no rain to worry about in this contest.
49ers Look To Snap Their Losing Streak
The San Francisco 49ers have continued to disappoint their fans all season long as they have lost 9 of their first 14 games including an eight-point road loss to the Dallas Cowboys last week. In that game, San Francisco's defense was awful as it allowed 41 points while not forcing a single turnover. To make matters worse, the 49ers have lost each of their last three games by at least eight points as they have been playing some terrible football lately. Now, San Francisco will be looking to snap that losing streak on Saturday. However, San Francisco has officially been eliminated from playoff contention so it has virtually nothing to play for besides potentially spoiling a division rival's playoff hopes.
San Francisco's offense has been below average this season as it is averaging 23.8 points per game which ranks 20th in the league. To make matters worse, the 49ers are averaging 2.1 turnovers per game which is tied for the most in the entire league. Now, the 49ers will be looking to take better control of the football with a meaningless game against a conference rival up next.
The Niners will get TE George Kittle back from a foot injury, but they are going to need their third-string quarterback to play. That's because Nick Mullens (elbow) is done of the year and Jimmy Garroppolo (ankle) is still out. That's why they signed Josh Rosen from the practice squad of Tampa Bay last week. C.J. Beathard will get the call as the starter this week.
Following the road loss to Dallas, San Francisco's head coach Kyle Shanahan criticized his team's lack of ball security.
"When you have four turnovers, it doesn’t matter what you do. Especially, when it’s four-to-zero (in turnovers) and they get 24 points off turnovers. Regardless of what you do on the field in any aspect, it gives you very little chance to win."
San Francisco 49ers Injury Report:
OUT: DE Ziggy Ansah, WR Travis Benjamin, DL Ronald Blair III, DL Nick Bosa, OL Jake Brendel, TE Garrett Celek, T Shon Coleman, OL Tom Compton, S Jonathan Cyprien, DL Dee Ford, OL Ben Garland, QB Jimmy Garoppolo, RB JaMycal Hasty, WR Jalen Hurd, OL Colton McKivitz, RB Raheem Mostert, QB Nick Mullens, C Weston Richburg, WR Deebo Samuel, CB Richard Sherman, S Jaquiski Tartt, CB Jamar Taylor, WR Trent Taylor, DL Solomon Thomas, WR Chris Thompson, CB Jimmie Ward, CB Ken Webster, TE Charlie Woerner
Doubtful: DL Dion Jordan
Questionable: OL Hroniss Grasu, WR Richie James, DT Javon Kinlaw, DB Tarvarius Moore, CB Emmanuel Moseley, LB Mark Nzeocha, RB Jeff Wilson Jr.
Cardinals Look To Extend Their Winning Streak
The Arizona Cardinals seem to be peaking at the right time as they have won each of their last two games including a seven-point home victory against the Philadelphia Eagles last week. In that game, Arizona's offense was amazing as it scored 33 points while recording 26 first downs. Leading the way was quarterback Kyler Murray who had 406 passing yards and three passing touchdowns along with 29 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown.
Arizona enters this game with an 8-6 record which means that it currently controls its own destiny regarding a playoff spot. Now, the Cardinals will be looking to extend their winning streak as they will try to inch closer towards wrapping up a playoff spot in the NFC. They basically need a win and a Chicago loss to enter the postseason.
Arizona's offense has been very solid this season as it is averaging 27.9 points per game which ranks tenth in the league. In addition, the Cardinals are averaging 5.9 yards per play which ranks tied for eighth in the league as Arizona has been able to set up manageable third downs all season long which has helped the Cardinals prolong drive.
Following last week's game, Arizona coach Kliff Kingsbury praised his team's toughness and resilience for pulling out the victory despite losing the turnover battle.
"I thought we played hard, played physical, played to win. But you have three turnovers in an NFL game, they don’t have any and you find a way to win: a heck of an accomplishment."
Arizona Cardinals Injury Report:
OUT: CB Robert Alford, LB Dennis Gardeck, OL Marcus Gilbert, K Zane Gonzalez, LB Isaiah Irving, LB Chandler Jones, DB Johnathan Joseph, DT Corey Peters, DE Jordan Phillips
Questionable: TE Dan Arnold, TE Darrell Daniels, RB Chase Edmonds, LB Kylie Fitts, WR Larry Fitzgerald, OL Lamont Gaillard, CB Dre Kirkpatrick, DE Josh Mauro, OL Justin Pugh, LB Haason Reddick, S Jalen Thompson, TE Maxx Williams
Notable Trends
- Cardinals are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games in Week 16.
- Cardinals are 4-1-1 ATS last 6 in December.
- Cardinals are 6-2-2 ATS last 10 after an ATS win.
These trends are from Covers.com:
- 49ers are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
- 49ers are 1-5 ATS last 6 vs. NFC.
- 49ers are 1-5 ATS last 6 in December.
