Two teams finishing up disappointing seasons meet on Sunday in Week 18 as the San Francisco 49ers visit the Arizona Cardinals.
The Cardinals are 3-point favourites on the NFL odds. Both are long eliminated from playoff contention.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
A reminder that all NFL Week 18 games are division matchups and that the league tries to schedule playoff-relevant ones with the same kickoff time to avoid scoreboard watching. That is not relevant here, though, as both Arizona and San Francisco were eliminated from playoff contention a couple of week ago.
That the Cardinals will miss the postseason and finish with a losing record for a third year in a row isn’t a huge surprise as the team is still in a rebuild session. Arizona was set at over-under 7.5 wins on the season at most books, so this definitely has some betting relevance.
San Francisco was set at 11.5 wins, meaning it will finish well under, and was the favourite to repeat in the NFC West and as conference champion but has been destroyed by injuries. It will be an interesting offseason there because the team has to pay QB Brock Purdy some $50 million a year or at least franchise tag him, so that means some other high-priced talent has to go for salary-cap reasons. That the Niners couldn’t win a Super Bowl while Purdy was on one of the great contracts in league history is a shame because now it only gets that much more challenging.
Arizona goes for the season sweep as it was a 24-23 upset winner in Santa Clara in Week 5 – the 49ers blew a 23-10 third-quarter lead. Chad Ryland hit what would prove to be the winning 35-yard field goal with 1:37 to go. Purdy threw a pick on the next drive to seal it.
The Niners are still 6-4 SU and 5-4-1 ATS in the past 10.
San Francisco 49ers
The Niners lost a third straight game Monday night, 40-34, at home to Detroit and lost starting quarterback Brock Purdy to an injured right elbow late. Purdy had thrown for a career-high 377 yards and became only the third QB in team history with at least 350 passing yards, three passing TDs and a rush TD in a game. The injury is not believed to be serious – more tests on Tuesday — but it seems likely that Purdy will not play this week and either Joshua Dobbs or Brandon Allen is under centre. It probably will be Dobbs since he relieved Purdy on Monday. Pro Bowl tight end George Kittle also probably sits after reaching 1,000 yards receiving for the fourth time in his career on Monday night. There’s no point making a move now, but expect the team to make a change at kicker this offseason as Jake Moody’s struggles continued Monday with two missed field goals and a missed PAT – those six points were the difference.
Arizona Cardinals
Arizona was in good shape to reach the playoffs/win the NFC West entering its bye week at 6-4 but has just one victory since following a 13-9 loss at the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday in Week 17. Kyler Murray threw for 321 yards and a TD but also two picks. Trey McBride had 12 catches for 123 yards and a score to become the first tight end in franchise with at least 10 catches, 100 yards and a receiving TD in a game. McBride caught his first TD of the year on his 98th reception. It would have been the most catches in a season without a TD all-time. McBride, rookie WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (57-822-7) and Murray is a nice start for 2025 offensively. No. 1 running back James Conner reinjured his knee in the loss and surely sits in this meaningless game. Michael Carter had 70 yards on 13 carries as the primary back after Conner left. The defence has largely been the problem this year but held the Rams to just 257 yards. Expect that side of the ball to be the primary focus in the offseason.
NFL Prediction: Who Will Win 49ers vs. Cardinals?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time | fav | line | total |
---|---|---|---|
Opening 30 Dec 6:04am | - | - | O +46.5 -110 |
Closing 6 Jan 12:24am | - | - | O +66.5 -115 |
- Regular Season
49ers Team Leaders
Touchdowns |
6 |
Rushing |
789 |
Passing |
3864 |
Receiving |
77 |
Sacks |
8.5 |
Interceptions |
2 |
Touchdowns |
9 |
Rushing |
1094 |
Passing |
3851 |
Receiving |
62 |
Sacks |
5 |
Interceptions |
3 |
- Regular Season
Cardinals Team Leaders
Touchdowns |
6 |
Rushing |
789 |
Passing |
3864 |
Receiving |
77 |
Sacks |
8.5 |
Interceptions |
2 |
Touchdowns |
9 |
Rushing |
1094 |
Passing |
3851 |
Receiving |
62 |
Sacks |
5 |
Interceptions |
3 |
Weather

temp | 68 |
condition | sunny |
wind | Southwest 4mph |
Injuries
Ji'ayir Brown (S)
Deommodore Lenoir (DB)
Colton McKivitz (OL)
Ricky Pearsall (WR)
Deebo Samuel Sr. (WR)
Isaac Yiadom (CB)
Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (LB)
Leonard Floyd (DL)
Brock Purdy (QB)
Charvarius Ward (CB)
Jackson Barton (OL)
Victor Dimukeje (LB)
Michael Wilson (WR)
Sean Murphy-Bunting (CB)
Darius Robinson (DL)
Mack Wilson Sr. (LB)
Darius Robinson (DL)
Michael Palardy (P)
Jonah Williams (OL)
Joey Blount (S)
Injuries
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ji'ayir Brown (S) | Questionable | Ankle - 02 / 01 / 25 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Brown is dealing with an ankle injury, and it is unclear if he will be available against the Cardinals on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Deommodore Lenoir (DB) | Out | Shoulder - 02 / 01 / 25 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Lenoir is battling with a shoulder injury, and he is unlikely to be active against the Cardinals on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Colton McKivitz (OL) | Questionable | Knee - 02 / 01 / 25 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
McKivitz is is hampered by a knee injury, and it is uncertain if he will play against the Cardinals on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Ricky Pearsall (WR) | Questionable | Illness - 02 / 01 / 25 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Pearsall is dealing with an illness, and it is unclear if he will be available against the Cardinals on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Deebo Samuel Sr. (WR) | Out | Ribs - 02 / 01 / 25 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Samuel is nursing a ribs injury, and he is unlikely to be active against the Cardinals on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Isaac Yiadom (CB) | Questionable | Pelvis - 02 / 01 / 25 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Yiadom is nursing a pelvis injury, and it is unclear if he will play against the Cardinals, on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (LB) | Out indefinitely | Calf - 31 / 12 / 24 | 0-2 | 2-0 | + - |
Flannigan-Fowles has been placed on injured reserve with a calf injury, and it is unknown how long he will be debilitated. |
|||||
Leonard Floyd (DL) | Questionable | Shoulder - 31 / 12 / 24 | 0-2 | 2-0 | + - |
Floyd is battling a shoulder injury, and it is unclear if he will be active against the Cardinals on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Brock Purdy (QB) | Out | Elbow - 31 / 12 / 24 | 0-2 | 2-0 | + - |
Purdy is nursing an elbow injury, and he is not expected to dress against the Cardinals on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Charvarius Ward (CB) | Questionable | Personal - 29 / 12 / 24 | 0-2 | 2-0 | + - |
Ward is dealing with a personal matter, and it is uncertain if he will participate against the Cardinals on Sunday, January 5th. |
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jackson Barton (OL) | Out | Ankle - 04 / 01 / 25 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Barton is dealing with an ankle injury, and he is unlikely to participate against the 49ers on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Victor Dimukeje (LB) | Questionable | Eye - 04 / 01 / 25 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Dimukeje has hurt his eye, and it is unknown if he will play Sunday versus 49ers, Sunday 5th. |
|||||
Michael Wilson (WR) | Questionable | Hamstring - 04 / 01 / 25 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Wilson is dealing with a hamstring injury, and it is uncertain if he will participate against the 49ers on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Sean Murphy-Bunting (CB) | Questionable | Toe - 02 / 01 / 25 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Murphy-Bunting is battling a toe injury, and it is unclear if he will dress against the 49ers on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Darius Robinson (DL) | Questionable | Calf - 02 / 01 / 25 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Robinson is nursing a calf injury, and it remains to be seen if he will return to action against the 49ers on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Mack Wilson Sr. (LB) | Questionable | Ankle - 02 / 01 / 25 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Wilson is nursing an ankle injury, and it is undetermined if he will be active against the 49ers on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Darius Robinson (DL) | Questionable | Calf - 25 / 12 / 24 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
Robinson is nursing with a calf injury, and it is unclear if he will face Rams on Saturday, December 28th. |
|||||
Michael Palardy (P) | Questionable | Illness - 25 / 12 / 24 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
Palardy is ailing with an illness, and it is unknown if he will be active against the Rams on Saturday, December 28th. |
|||||
Jonah Williams (OL) | Questionable | Knee - 24 / 12 / 24 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
Williams is managing a knee injury, and it is undetermined if he will dress against the 49ers on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Joey Blount (S) | out for season | Ribs - 22 / 12 / 24 | 2-1 | 2-1 | + - |
Blount is placed on the injured reserve list with a rib injury, and he is expected to miss the remainder of the season. |
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 30 Dec 6:04am - - O +46.5 -110 Closing 6 Jan 12:24am - - O +66.5 -115 -
- Regular Season
49ers Team Leaders
Touchdowns 6
Rushing 789
Passing 3864
Receiving 77
Sacks 8.5
Interceptions 2
Touchdowns 9
Rushing 1094
Passing 3851
Receiving 62
Sacks 5
Interceptions 3
-
- Regular Season
Cardinals Team Leaders
Touchdowns 6
Rushing 789
Passing 3864
Receiving 77
Sacks 8.5
Interceptions 2
Touchdowns 9
Rushing 1094
Passing 3851
Receiving 62
Sacks 5
Interceptions 3
-
Weather
temp 68 condition sunny wind Southwest 4mph -
Injuries
Ji'ayir Brown (S)
Questionable Ankle - 02 / 01 / 25Deommodore Lenoir (DB)
Out Shoulder - 02 / 01 / 25Colton McKivitz (OL)
Questionable Knee - 02 / 01 / 25Ricky Pearsall (WR)
Questionable Illness - 02 / 01 / 25Deebo Samuel Sr. (WR)
Out Ribs - 02 / 01 / 25Isaac Yiadom (CB)
Questionable Pelvis - 02 / 01 / 25Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (LB)
Out indefinitely Calf - 31 / 12 / 24Leonard Floyd (DL)
Questionable Shoulder - 31 / 12 / 24Brock Purdy (QB)
Out Elbow - 31 / 12 / 24Charvarius Ward (CB)
Questionable Personal - 29 / 12 / 24Jackson Barton (OL)
Out Ankle - 04 / 01 / 25Victor Dimukeje (LB)
Questionable Eye - 04 / 01 / 25Michael Wilson (WR)
Questionable Hamstring - 04 / 01 / 25Sean Murphy-Bunting (CB)
Questionable Toe - 02 / 01 / 25Darius Robinson (DL)
Questionable Calf - 02 / 01 / 25Mack Wilson Sr. (LB)
Questionable Ankle - 02 / 01 / 25Darius Robinson (DL)
Questionable Calf - 25 / 12 / 24Michael Palardy (P)
Questionable Illness - 25 / 12 / 24Jonah Williams (OL)
Questionable Knee - 24 / 12 / 24Joey Blount (S)
out for season Ribs - 22 / 12 / 24Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Ji'ayir Brown (S) Questionable Ankle - 02 / 01 / 25 0-1 1-0 + - Brown is dealing with an ankle injury, and it is unclear if he will be available against the Cardinals on Sunday, January 5th.
Deommodore Lenoir (DB) Out Shoulder - 02 / 01 / 25 0-1 1-0 + - Lenoir is battling with a shoulder injury, and he is unlikely to be active against the Cardinals on Sunday, January 5th.
Colton McKivitz (OL) Questionable Knee - 02 / 01 / 25 0-1 1-0 + - McKivitz is is hampered by a knee injury, and it is uncertain if he will play against the Cardinals on Sunday, January 5th.
Ricky Pearsall (WR) Questionable Illness - 02 / 01 / 25 0-1 1-0 + - Pearsall is dealing with an illness, and it is unclear if he will be available against the Cardinals on Sunday, January 5th.
Deebo Samuel Sr. (WR) Out Ribs - 02 / 01 / 25 0-1 1-0 + - Samuel is nursing a ribs injury, and he is unlikely to be active against the Cardinals on Sunday, January 5th.
Isaac Yiadom (CB) Questionable Pelvis - 02 / 01 / 25 0-1 1-0 + - Yiadom is nursing a pelvis injury, and it is unclear if he will play against the Cardinals, on Sunday, January 5th.
Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (LB) Out indefinitely Calf - 31 / 12 / 24 0-2 2-0 + - Flannigan-Fowles has been placed on injured reserve with a calf injury, and it is unknown how long he will be debilitated.
Leonard Floyd (DL) Questionable Shoulder - 31 / 12 / 24 0-2 2-0 + - Floyd is battling a shoulder injury, and it is unclear if he will be active against the Cardinals on Sunday, January 5th.
Brock Purdy (QB) Out Elbow - 31 / 12 / 24 0-2 2-0 + - Purdy is nursing an elbow injury, and he is not expected to dress against the Cardinals on Sunday, January 5th.
Charvarius Ward (CB) Questionable Personal - 29 / 12 / 24 0-2 2-0 + - Ward is dealing with a personal matter, and it is uncertain if he will participate against the Cardinals on Sunday, January 5th.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Jackson Barton (OL) Out Ankle - 04 / 01 / 25 1-0 0-1 + - Barton is dealing with an ankle injury, and he is unlikely to participate against the 49ers on Sunday, January 5th.
Victor Dimukeje (LB) Questionable Eye - 04 / 01 / 25 1-0 0-1 + - Dimukeje has hurt his eye, and it is unknown if he will play Sunday versus 49ers, Sunday 5th.
Michael Wilson (WR) Questionable Hamstring - 04 / 01 / 25 1-0 0-1 + - Wilson is dealing with a hamstring injury, and it is uncertain if he will participate against the 49ers on Sunday, January 5th.
Sean Murphy-Bunting (CB) Questionable Toe - 02 / 01 / 25 1-0 0-1 + - Murphy-Bunting is battling a toe injury, and it is unclear if he will dress against the 49ers on Sunday, January 5th.
Darius Robinson (DL) Questionable Calf - 02 / 01 / 25 1-0 0-1 + - Robinson is nursing a calf injury, and it remains to be seen if he will return to action against the 49ers on Sunday, January 5th.
Mack Wilson Sr. (LB) Questionable Ankle - 02 / 01 / 25 1-0 0-1 + - Wilson is nursing an ankle injury, and it is undetermined if he will be active against the 49ers on Sunday, January 5th.
Darius Robinson (DL) Questionable Calf - 25 / 12 / 24 1-1 1-1 + - Robinson is nursing with a calf injury, and it is unclear if he will face Rams on Saturday, December 28th.
Michael Palardy (P) Questionable Illness - 25 / 12 / 24 1-1 1-1 + - Palardy is ailing with an illness, and it is unknown if he will be active against the Rams on Saturday, December 28th.
Jonah Williams (OL) Questionable Knee - 24 / 12 / 24 1-1 1-1 + - Williams is managing a knee injury, and it is undetermined if he will dress against the 49ers on Sunday, January 5th.
Joey Blount (S) out for season Ribs - 22 / 12 / 24 2-1 2-1 + - Blount is placed on the injured reserve list with a rib injury, and he is expected to miss the remainder of the season.