Arizona Cardinals vs. San Francisco 49ers Odds, Picks, and Predictions (1/8/23)

As we head into the final week and the conclusion of the NFL regular season in week 18, the Arizona Cardinals will head off to San Francisco to face the 49ers in a final NFC West matchup.  Both of these teams already have their postseason fates sealed, with the Cardinals eliminated from playoff contention and the 49ers already stamping their ticket.  The 49ers still have a chance to climb higher in the NFC playoff seeding and the Cardinals would like to finish this disappointing season, one that many projected to be better, with a victory.  Arizona would be setting themselves up for a better draft pick with a loss, but with them already committing to QB Kyler Murray, don’t expect them to go after skill position players.  They enter this game with a 4-12 record and are starting QB Colt McCoy.  The 49ers are also starting a backup in Brock Purdy but Purdy has shown success with this talented 49ers roster as the team stands at 12-4 and currently hold the No. 2 seed in the NFC.  Let’s jump into this game’s picks and predictions:

Arizona Cardinals Betting Odds

San Francisco enters this game as heavy favorites and that should come to no surprise.  Playing at home and ready for their championship quest in the playoffs, they enter this game as -950 moneyline odds favorites with a spread line of -14 points.  It’s not easy to cover a two touchdown spread but the 49ers have won a majority of their recent games by double digits before their narrow 3-point overtime win against the Raiders last week.  Arizona has lost six straight games but have been able to keep games close with only one of those losses being a double digit defeat.  It should be interesting how the Cardinals coming into this game with many suspecting this very well could be head coach Kliff Kingsbury’s final game with the Arizona staff.  The 49ers won these two teams’ previous matchup 38-10 in Arizona.  This game now in San Francisco could give the 49ers even more of an edge.

The over/under total for this game is currently placed at 40.5 points.  San Francisco currently averages 25.8 points per game with Arizona averaging 20.4.  The Cardinals also allow typically 25.7 points on defense with the 49ers allowing 16.5.

Arizona Cardinals Picks & Predictions

My Pick: San Francisco 49ers -14 (-110)

I like the 49ers winning big in this matchup against a deflated and defeated Cardinals team.  San Francisco has a lot to play for while Arizona is simply just trying to get to the offseason and reloading on a new top draft pick.  Brock Purdy has been on a good stretch in the past couple games he has played in, so it’s crucial for him to not show any struggles to give any doubts before entering the postseason.  San Francisco is a sleeper for many to win the whole thing and I have no doubts they enter this game ready to put the league on notice.  I suspect the Cardinals will put up a fight early but think the talent on the other side of the ball will outlast in the end.

As for the over/under, I like the over in this game.  I think 40.5 is a little low for a 49er team that has been explosive as of late on the offensive side and think the Cardinals will be able to score on the board as well.

Betting Trends

• The 49ers are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 vs. NFC West.
• The 49ers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games.
• The Cardinals are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 vs. NFC West.
• Over is 7-3 in the Cardinals last 10 games overall.
• The Cardinals are 5-0-1 ATS in their last 6 meetings in San Francisco.
• Underdog is 6-2-1 ATS in their last 9 meetings between these two teams.

Key Injuries

Arizona Cardinals:

Zach Allen, questionable; Antonio Hamilton, questionable; DeAndre Hopkins, questionable; Colt McCoy, questionable; Marco Wilson, questionable

San Francisco 49ers:

Elijah Mitchell, Injured Reserve; Aaron Banks, out; Kevin Givens, questionable; Deebo Samuel, questionable; Dre Greenlaw, questionable

Key Matchup

Brock Purdy vs. Arizona Cardinals Defense

As I mentioned earlier, the biggest thing for the 49ers is that former Mr. Irrelevant draft pick Brock Purdy continues playing at a high level prior to entering the playoffs.  Purdy has really strived in this Kyle Shanahan offense, but can he remain consistent.  Purdy has thrown for multiple TDs in each of his starts and is 5-0 so far.  Could he become the next Tom Brady and win it all after overtaking the starting role after the start got injured?  Time will tell but as he continues on this hot streak he will need to keep it going against the Cardinals.  Purdy has thrown an interception in each of his last two starts so if he can cut down on turnovers, I have no doubts that Purdy could possibly go on a big playoff run with this talented team.

Arizona Cardinals Depth Chart

QB: Colt McCoy
RB1: James Conner
RB2: Corey Clement
LWR: DeAndre Hopkins
RWR: Marquise Brown
SWR: Greg Dortch
TE1: Trey McBride

San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart

QB: Brock Purdy
RB1: Christian McCaffrey
RB2: Jordan Mason
LWR: Deebo Samuel
RWR: Brandon Aiyuk
SWR: Jauan Jennings
TE1: George Kittle