San Francisco 49ers (10-3) vs. Arizona Cardinals (3-10)
In NFL Week 15, the high-flying San Francisco 49ers, holding a strong 10-3 record, travel to face the struggling Arizona Cardinals, who stand at 3-10. This intriguing matchup is set for Sunday at the State Farm Stadium, with a 4:05 PM ET kickoff. The game will be televised on CBS, drawing significant attention from fans and bettors searching for daily NFL free picks. The 49ers are looking to solidify their playoff position, while the Cardinals aim to disrupt the 49ers’ momentum and secure a morale-boosting win.
The 49ers have found their stride thanks to the emergence of rookie quarterback Brock Purdy. Since taking over under center in Week 13, Purdy has posted a 70.2% completion rate for 3553 yards, 25 touchdowns and a sterling 116.9 passer rating. He’s developed instant chemistry with playmakers like Christian McCaffrey, who’s racked up 1177 rushing yards and 12 scores in just 13 games. Brandon Aiyuk has also thrived with Purdy, evidenced by his 1053 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns. This multidimensional offense will be difficult to contain.
The Cardinals offense runs through the backfield duo of Joshua Dobbs and James Conner. Dobbs has posted respectable numbers with 1569 passing yards, 8 touchdowns and an 81.2 rating across 8 starts. When he drops back to pass, Dobbs often looks towards Conner and tight end Trey McBride, who have combined for 631 rushing yards, 4 rushing touchdowns, 666 receiving yards and 4 receiving scores. Still, Arizona lacks the firepower to keep pace if this game turns into a shootout.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Arizona Cardinals Game Info
When: | Sunday, December 17, 2023 at 4:05 PM ET |
Where: | State Farm Stadium |
TV: | CBS |
Stream: | NFL Game Pass |
Brock Purdy QB vs. Joshua Dobbs QB
Brock Purdy has taken the league by storm ever since being thrust into the starting lineup. He plays with remarkable poise and confidence for a rookie, showing advanced field vision and anticipation on his throws. Purdy has already established fantastic chemistry with playmakers like McCaffrey and Aiyuk. His accuracy jumping off the page as well – Purdy completes over 70% of his attempts and has posted a sterling 116.9 rating. He threw for over 300 yards in 3 of his last 4 starts. Purdy also uses his mobility to extend plays, rushing for over 50 yards on multiple occasions. With the numbers Purdy has produced so far, he is performing like an elite veteran quarterback rather than an untested rookie.
Joshua Dobbs remains an average at best starting QB. While he protects the football relatively well, as evidenced by just 5 interceptions in 8 starts, Dobbs offers little upside either. He fails to complete over 63% of his throws and his sub-6 yards per attempt highlight Dobbs’ struggles to push the ball downfield consistently. Dobbs has surpassed 300 passing yards only once all year while posting just 3 multi-touchdown efforts. With a middling skillset and lack of potent weapons, Dobbs doesn’t pose much of a threat through the air.
NFL Odds/Point Spread: San Francisco 49ers -745, Total Odds: 46.5
The betting odds heavily favor the 49ers, reflecting their strong season performance and the Cardinals’ struggles. The spread of 12.5 points suggests a belief in the 49ers’ ability to control the game, while the total odds set at 46.5 points indicate expectations of a moderately high-scoring affair.
San Francisco 49ers Betting Trends
The 49ers are 5-0 straight up in their last 5 games. They’ve dominated weaker competition like Arizona all season long. San Francisco is also 6-3 straight up in its last 9 meetings with the Cardinals, including a 38-10 beatdown earlier this year. With playoff seeding on the line, expect the Niners to continue asserting their dominance over Arizona.
Arizona Cardinals Betting Trends
The Cardinals may be playing better recently with a 4-2 ATS record in their last 6, but they are still just 3-17 straight up on the year. Arizona has allowed 30+ points in 4 of its last 5 matchups against San Francisco as well. The Cardinals are clearly overmatched, making them risky to back as massive home underdogs this Sunday.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Arizona Cardinals 12/17/23 Betting Picks
Considering the analysis and betting trends, the 49ers appear to be the overwhelming favorites in this matchup. Their balanced offense and strong defense give them a clear edge over the Cardinals.
In terms of betting, while the 49ers are the clear favorites, the spread is quite large. Prop bets on individual player performances, especially for quarterbacks and key skill players, could provide value. The over/under might lean towards the over, considering the total points trends for both teams. For bettors, exploring various options at the best live betting website, including spreads, moneylines, and totals, would be advisable for this NFL Week 15 game.