49ers vs. Cardinals Point Spread: NFL Week 15 Odds, Prediction
Following last week’s 28-16 victory against the Seahawks, San Francisco improved to 10-3 and became the first team of the season to officially lock up a playoff spot. Sitting second-last in the NFC standings with a 3-10 record, Arizona is all but out of the playoffs and a loss to the Niners in Week 15 should officially seal their fate.
San Francisco is a heavy 12.5-point favourite to win on the NFL odds, while the total sits at 48.0.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The 49ers have won three straight games in this head-to-head series, including a 35-16 home win in Week 4 this season. San Francisco running back Christian McCaffrey went off for 106 rushing yards and three TDs while quarterback Brock Purdy completed 20 of 21 pass attempts and finished the day with two total TDs.
The Niners have dominated this all-time series, winning the last three games by an average margin of victory of 24 points per game. The team is hot right now, going 5-0 straight up and 3-2 against the spread since the end of October. San Francisco won each of those five games by at least 12 points, with an average margin of victory of 21.4 ppg.
The Cardinals have been decimated by NFC West opponents lately, going 0-6 SU and ATS in their last six games against the division. The team has looked better in recent weeks as they are 2-2 SU and 3-1 ATS since Kyler Murray and James Conner returned from injured reserve on November 11. Keep in mind though, that Arizona is just 2-12 SU in their last 14 games as a home underdog.
San Francisco 49ers
Last week Purdy continued to make his case as a +175 second-favourite to win MVP. Purdy went 19-for-27, finishing with a career-high 368 passing yards to go along with two TDs and an interception. His two favourite targets were Deebo Samuel, who finished with 149 receiving yards and two total TDs, and Brandon Aiyuk, who finished with 126 receiving yards. McCaffrey had another monster performance on the ground, rushing for 145 yards on 16 carries.
San Francisco has proven to be one of the most complete teams in the NFL. On offence, the Niners are averaging 402.3 total yards per game (second-best in the NFL) and 29.2 ppg (third). On defence, they allow an average of 300.4 total yards per game (eighth) and 15.8 ppg (first).
Arizona Cardinals
Arizona had a bye last week following a surprise 24-10 victory in Pittsburgh on December 3. Murray tossed for just 145 yards and one touchdown while Conner torched his former team for 145 rushing yards and two TDs. Trey McBride had a solid outing, finishing with 89 receiving yards and a touchdown on eight catches. The Cardinals are now 2-2 since Murray’s return from a torn ACL in his right knee. Last week was also their first win in Pittsburgh since 1969.
A major concern for Arizona in this game has to be San Francisco’s No. 1 ranked rushing defence, which is allowing just 78.3 rushing yards per game. That likely means the Cardinals won’t be able to rely on Conner to carry the offence by himself yet again. Murray will be key to this game, which is concerning for Arizona given he has thrown just three TD passes in four games this season.
SF
ARI