Cardinals vs. 49ers Point Spread: NFL Week 3 Odds, Prediction
The San Francisco 49ers aim to tally consecutive wins over NFC West rivals for the first time since 2023 when they host the undefeated Arizona Cardinals on Sunday afternoon in NFL Week 3 betting action at Levi’s Stadium. The Cardinals travel to the Bay Area looking to build on a 27-22 win over Carolina that lifts them to 2-0 on the season on the season but have failed to tally consecutive wins on the road during a 6-18 SU run dating back to October 2022.
The 49ers hit the gridiron for their home opener on Sunday perched as 2.5-point favourites on the NFL Week 3 odds.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Arizona Cardinals swept the season series with the 49ers last season, including a narrow 24-23 victory in San Francisco while pegged as 7-point underdogs, and will now be aiming to tally three straight head-to-head wins for the first time since 2018. While the Cardinals have gone just 3-3 in six road dates with the Niners, each of those victories have come as betting underdogs, bolstering the Cards’ 7-3-1 against the spread record in 11 away meetings with their divisional rival.
High scoring has been commonplace when these squads meet, with the total reaching 51 or higher in four of five clashes, extending a steady 6-1 run for the OVER. The 49ers have rewarded loyal betting fans during their 2-0 start, covering as favourites in each of their two wins to date. However, if they are to extend their ATS surge, they must flip the script on a dismal performance at home, where they have gone just 4-10 ATS since October 2023.
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals were lucky to hang on for the win in last week’s visit from the Carolina Panthers, who embarked on an impressive second-half comeback that fell just short of erasing a 27-3 third-quarter deficit in Arizona’s 27-22 win. That marked the second straight game in which the Cardinals fell flat after recess, scoring just a field goal after the break in a 20-13 win in New Orleans.
It has been a hectic two weeks for quarterback Kyler Murray, who tossed for two TDs in Week 1 but was also sacked five times. Murray compiled 220 yards, one score and one pick last week, but has racked up just 68 total passing hyards in fourth quarter action during the team’s 2-0 run. Historically, Murray has been unspectacular in the air when visiting the Niners, averaging just 191.7 passing yards while connecting for four scores and two picks in three trips. However, but averaged over 80 rushing yards and a scoring run in each of those contests and offers value as a -115 bet to top 27.5 rushing yards on Sunday.
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers hope to have turned the page on a lost 2024 season with a pair of victories to kick off the new campaign. However, injuries remain a major concern, particularly the health of quarterback Brock Purdy, who is nursing shoulder and toe injuries that leave his status in doubt for Sunday. Wide receiver Jauan Jennings is also questionable as he continues his recovery from ankle and shoulder injuries.
If Purdy is unable to go, look for Mac Jones to get the call after an impressive performance last week in New Orleans, where he tossed for 279 yards and three touchdowns. The return of Christian McCaffrey has also helped spark this offence. McCaffrey racked up 55 rushing yards, 52 receiving yards, and one scoring run last week, and should not be overlooked on the NFL player props as a -115 wager to record OVER 109.5 rushing+receiving yards in what would be his fifth straight game with over 100 total yards.
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