With Carson Palmer the Cardinals are a contender in the NFC. Without him, well, they’re not. Palmer and the unbeaten Cards are off to another hot start and look to take control of the NFC West with a victory over the San Francisco 49ers. The Cardinals have been nearly unbeatable in the desert going 7-1 SU and ATS in their last eight but have lost 10 of 12 SU to the Niners in the series.
ODDS
Arizona opened as a 6.5-point favorite with the total at 44.5. Both the spread and total were wagered down a half-point to the current -6 and 44. The way both teams looked last week, the Cards could cover the total on their own. Unlikely, but the over does have value in this game.
KEY INJURIES
Reggie Bush – Has not suited up since injuring his calf in the season opener. Bush remains sidelined and is listed as questionable for Sunday. Carlos Hyde left last week’s game in Pittsburgh with a concussion, leaving the Niners thin at running back. Hyde has been cleared and is expected to play.
LaMarr Woodley – Missed practice time this week with a shoulder injury sustained last Sunday. If he can’t go, look for rookie Markus Golden to take his spot. Josh Mauro may also see some time at outside linebacker for the Cards.
Andre Ellington – isn’t expected to play Sunday due to a knee injury. Chris Johnson will get the start and rookie David Johnson could see an increased number of carries.
KEY MISMATCH
An already good Arizona offensive line is about to get even better with the return of starters Bobby Massie from suspension and Mike Iupati from injury. During the preseason the two were part of a line coach Bruce Arians called the best he’s had during his time in Arizona, until Massie was slapped with a three-game suspension that was reduced to two, and Iupati injured his knee in an exhibition game. Know Arians is faced with a difficult decision, but one any coach would like to make. Does he replace right tackle Earl Watford, who started in place of Massie? Does Iupati move back to his right guard spot, even though Ted Larsen did a decent job in his absence? Arians isn’t saying, but there are indications he will make both moves. While Palmer hasn’t been sacked this season, he was hit too often last week in Chicago. Watford was responsible for some of that pressure. Overall Arians is pleased with his line. It’s a deep group, made even deeper by having to play backups so early in the season.
KEY STAT
39.5 – Arizona’s NFL leading points per game. The 49ers allowed 43 points and 453 yards, 369 of those through the air, in last week’s blowout loss at Pittsburgh.
BETTING ANGLE
Now is a real good time for Arizona to seize control of the NFC West. The Cardinals can also prove they are legitimate contenders in the conference and would love nothing more than to take the upper hand in the series with San Francisco. The 49ers have won 10 of the last 12 meetings between the teams, but Arizona is 4-3 ATS over the last seven, including an ATS sweep of the series last season. Arizona is on the rise, while San Francisco is on the fade. The Niners are nowhere near the team they were even just a year ago, and are expected to endure a few lumps in the post-Jim Harbaugh era. Palmer is showing no ill effects from the knee injury that cost him, and the Cards, the season last year and is 15-2 over his last 17 starts and hasn’t lost since a home defeat to the Niners in the 2013 finale. The Cards split two games with SF last year, the loss coming by a field goal and Palmer missing both. With him they’re tough.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The Niners will face a similar style of offense than the one that just pounded them for 43 points and 453 yards and will need to make the proper adjustments to slow down the Cardinals. Palmer is playing the best football of his career and has thrived in Arians’ offense, and now that he has some help in the backfield and a talented offensive line, the Cards are even more dangerous. Critics will say they beat up some patsies in New Orleans and Chicago, but boy did they beat them up. The Cards look like the whole package and could very well be the team to beat in the NFC. Niners quarterback Colin Kaepernick was praised for his 335-yard passing game last week, but his team trailed by 26 points at halftime and 240 of those yards came after the break. The Niners need to control the game on the ground and will have Carlos Hyde back, so that should help, but the Cards are good. I like a cover win for the home team.
Arizona 33, San Francisco 20
The NFL lines for this Sunday game were first available at BookMaker Sportsbook. The Cardinals were pegged as 6.5-point chalk while the total opened at 44.5. Minute-by-minute spreads, totals and props are available for this game using the live betting platform at BookMaker.
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone or tablet with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! The game between the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals will commence Sunday, September 27, 2015, at 4:05 p.m. ET at University of Phoenix Stadium. The contest will be broadcast regionally on FOX.
