49ers vs Cardinals Odds, Picks, and Predictions Week 15: CMC Music Factory Helps Niners Stay In Groove

The San Francisco 49ers are in the midst of a chase for the top seed in the NFC, with the next stop in Glendale for a Week 15 odds matchup with the Arizona Cardinals.

The Cards are coming off a bye, and they’ve been a little frisky since the return of Kyler Murray, splitting the four games he’s been under center.

But this one is a proverbial David vs Goliath, with the NFC West-leading 49ers a whopping 12.5-point road favorite in the NFL odds.

With a biggie MNF matchup against Baltimore on Christmas Day, do the Niners fall into a trap game? Let’s break down this Sunday, December 17 matchup, complete with my free NFL picks for 49ers vs. Cardinals.

49ers vs Cardinals odds

49ers vs Cardinals predictions

Since their Week 9 bye, the 49ers have scorched earth on their foes, ripping off a five-game winning streak, and outscoring opponents 162-65. 

Their latest: a 28-16 drubbing of the Seattle Seahawks, which coincidentally, happens to be the lowest margin of victory they’ve had in a win since a 30-23 W over the Rams in Week 2.

In fact, in their last eight wins, they’ve won by an average of 20.8 points. This wasn’t a cream puff schedule by any means. They’ve hung a 42-19 win over the Eagles, and a 42-10 win over the Cowboys, two teams they’re currently tied with for top spot in the conference.

With those tiebreakers, the scenario is simple: Win out and that opening-round bye is theirs. 

San Francisco is crushing opponents on both sides of the ball. It’s third in the NFL, pouring in 29.2 points per game, powered by a balanced run-pass offense that ranks Top-3 in both categories.

The 49ers also boast the lowest-scoring defense in football, holding teams to just 15.8 points per game, including an NFL-low 78.3 yards on the ground. No other team in the NFL is even in the 70s, and just two other clubs are in the 80s.

Arizona has already felt their wrath early on, getting clubbed 35-16 in Week 4. Of course, Kyler Murray wasn’t in the lineup, and breakout candidate Josh Dobbs was showing some staying power.

The Cardinals have put up just 17.7 points per game this season, but they’re coming off a 24-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

This is the third straight matchup between these teams where ‘Frisco is a double-digit favorite, and each time it has covered with ease. This year, it was 14.5 a point favorite, while last season, San Fran won 38-13 as a 14-point favorite, and 38-10 as a 10-point favorite.

This team has been unstoppable since heading into its bye week on a three-game skid. Assuming it stays healthy, this one should be a wipeout.

My best bet: 49ers -12 (-112 at DraftKings)
Picks made at time of writing may not reflect live odds.

49ers vs Cardinals same-game parlay

49ers -12 

Brock Purdy Over 251.5 passing yards

Christian McCaffrey Over 27.5 receiving yards

+395 at DraftKings

I’m not entirely sure why MVP odds contender Brock Purdy’s passing yards total is where it is. Since San Francisco has gone on a tear, the 49ers’ pivot has been shredding.

He’s coming off a demolition of Seattle, going 19-for-28 for 368 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception. Purdy has failed to cross that total just once since the bye, throwing for 209 yards against the same Seattle team in their first matchup. 

Even factoring that game in, he’s still averaging 304 passing yards per game on this winning streak.

Arizona’s pass defense is no slouch, surrendering just 216 yards per game, which ranks 13th in the NFL, but it didn’t have an answer for Purdy the first time they played him.

Purdy went a sparkling 20-for-21 for 286 yards and a TD, while also running one in on the ground.

We’ll finish with Christian McCaffrey, who’s equally devastating in the run and pass game for the 49ers. I find that 27.5 receiving yard total a little low, especially considering he’s averaging 33.6 yards receiving per game.

CMC also torched the Cardinals in Week 4, racking up seven catches for 71 yards and a touchdown. He’s crossed this total six times, and has been right around that number three other times.

While Purdy is looking to stretch the field, 'Frisco does a solid job of getting the ball to McCaffrey in space and with mismatches.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

49ers vs Cardinals spread and Over/Under analysis

This spread had swollen to as high as 14 points, but has climbed down from that lofty perch, with most books keeping the Cardinals in the 12-point underdog range.

For all their success, the Niners are just 7-6-0 against the spread this season, and are 4-3-0 ATS on the road. 

Arizona does actually have a better record, at 7-5-1 ATS, but is just 4-2-0 as a home underdog.

As for the total, it was as low as 45.5 points a week ago, but has climbed to as high as 48.5.

Both teams are hovering around .500 in this category, with Over going 6-6-1 in San Fran games, and 7-6-0 in ‘Zona matchups.

49ers vs Cardinals betting trend to know

The Cardinals have failed to cover the spread in 12 of their last 13 games against NFC West opponents. Find more NFL betting trends for 49ers vs. Cardinals.

49ers vs Cardinals game info

49ers vs Cardinals latest injuries

49ers vs Cardinals weather

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