San Francisco 49ers vs Arizona Cardinals Picks and Predictions October 6th 2024

The 49ers are heavily favored in their week five matchup against the Cardinals. The 49ers’ money line odds are -358, and they are -7.5 point favorites on the point spread. This NFC West game will kick off at 4:05 ET on Sunday, October 6th at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. The over/under line is set at 49 points, with the Cardinals at +280 on the money line.

Arizona vs. San Francisco Key Information

• Teams: Cardinals at 49ers
• Where: Levi’s Stadium Santa Clara
• Date: Sunday, October 6th
• Betting Odds SF -358 | ARI +280 O/U 49.5

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The Cardinals Can Win If…

The Cardinals are now 1-3 after a 42-14 loss to the Commanders. Arizona was favored by -3.5 at home but lost by 28 points. The combined 56 points exceeded the over/under line of 48.5 points. Arizona’s only lead came after a Kyler Murray touchdown pass to Marvin Harrison Jr., but the Commanders quickly tied it in the first quarter.

Washington took control in the 2nd quarter, outscoring the Cardinals 10-0. Although Arizona found the endzone in the 3rd quarter with a James Conner touchdown, they still trailed 27-14 heading into the 4th. The Commanders put the game out of reach with two touchdowns in the 4th quarter.

In their 42-14 loss to the Washington Commanders, the Cardinals’ offense struggled, managing just 115 yards passing. Kyler Murray went 16/22 for 142 yards and one touchdown, while being sacked four times. Arizona did find some success on the ground, with 181 yards on 32 attempts. James Conner led the way with 104 yards rushing, averaging 5.8 yards per attempt, and finding the end zone once.

Marvin Harrison Jr. was the top receiver with 45 yards and one touchdown. The offense finished with 17 first downs and 449 total yards. Murray ended the game with a passer rating of 104 and didn’t throw any interceptions.

In their 42-14 loss to the Washington Commanders, the Cardinals’ defense struggled to stop the run, giving up 216 yards on the ground across 37 attempts. They also allowed 233 passing yards, with Washington finding success with 7.8 yards per attempt through the air. Arizona’s defense allowed Washington to convert on 75% of their third down attempts.

Despite forcing one interception, the Cardinals couldn’t generate much pressure, finishing with no sacks. Washington put up 449 total yards and scored six touchdowns in their blowout win over Arizona.

• Over their last three regular season games, the Cardinals have gone 1-2 straight up. Against the spread, Arizona went 1-2 in these games and finished with an over-under mark of 2-1.
• Over their last ten regular season games, the Cardinals have gone 3-7 straight up. In these matchups, they ended with an ATS record of 5-5 and an over-under mark of 7-3.

The 49ers Can Win If…

The 49ers picked up a 30-13 win over the Patriots, improving their record to 2-2. Heading into the game, the 49ers were 10.5-point favorites with an over/under line set at 42 points. San Francisco’s win gave them a 17-point victory, and the combined 43 points resulted in the over hitting. The 49ers led 20-3 at halftime and added to their lead in the 3rd quarter, making it 27-10 heading into the 4th quarter.

Even though the Patriots made things interesting in the 4th quarter by scoring 10 points, the 49ers also added to their lead with a touchdown to make the final score 30-13 in their favor. Brock Purdy had a big game for the 49ers, throwing multiple touchdowns, including one to Jauan Jennings in the 4th quarter. The 49ers also found the endzone with Deebo Samuel Sr. in the 3rd quarter.

San Francisco’s offense put up 30 points in their 30-13 win over the Patriots, racking up 283 yards through the air. The 49ers had 19 first downs and gained 148 yards on 32 rushing attempts. They converted on 53.8% of their third down chances and were sacked once.

Quarterback Brock Purdy threw for 288 yards, completing 15 of 27 passes and finishing with one touchdown and one interception. Jordan Mason led the ground game with 123 yards, averaging 5.1 yards per carry and finding the endzone once. Jauan Jennings was the top receiver, with 88 yards through the air.

In their most recent game, the 49ers’ defense was dominant, coming away with six sacks and allowing just 143 passing yards in a 30-13 win over the Patriots. New England managed only 216 total yards and was held to 73 rushing yards on 24 attempts. The 49ers’ defense also came up with one interception and limited the Patriots to a 31.2% conversion rate on third downs.

San Francisco’s pass rush was relentless, winning the quarterback hit differential by six and also leading in tackles for loss. The Patriots did find the endzone once through the air, but overall, the 49ers defended the pass well, allowing just 4.5 yards per attempt.

• Through their last three games, the 49ers have a record of 3-0. Against the spread, the team is 2-1 in these same games while going 3-0 on the over/under.
• The 49ers have gone 7-3 over their last ten regular season games. The team’s record vs the spread was just 3-7, in addition to an over-under mark of 7-3.

49ers Look to Pick Up Steam in Clash vs. NFC West-Rival Cardinals

The San Francisco 49ers are hoping to build momentum as they seek their first consecutive wins of the 2024 NFL season this Sunday. The 49ers will host their NFC West rivals, the Arizona Cardinals, in Santa Clara, California, with plenty at stake for both teams. The 49ers (2-2) are coming off a strong defensive performance in their 30-13 victory over the New England Patriots, while the Cardinals (1-3) look to bounce back from a disappointing home stretch that included back-to-back losses.

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49ers Aiming for Consistency

For the 49ers, this game is an opportunity to solidify their position in the NFC West. After two straight losses, San Francisco found their rhythm against New England, largely thanks to a dominant defensive effort. The 49ers’ defensive line was relentless in that game, recording several key sacks and shutting down the Patriots’ offensive attack.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan emphasized the importance of the defense’s contribution, especially the defensive line. “I thought the defense as a whole, and especially the D-line, really rose to the occasion for that game,” Shanahan said. San Francisco will look to carry that defensive momentum into their matchup against Arizona, particularly as they face an offense that has struggled to convert on crucial downs.

Arizona Cardinals: Struggling But Not Defeated

The Cardinals have endured a challenging start to the season, with only one win through four games. They began their home stand with a strong victory over the Los Angeles Rams, but things quickly took a downturn with losses to the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders. Their latest outing, a 42-14 blowout at the hands of the Commanders, was particularly frustrating, especially given that former head coach Kliff Kingsbury, now Washington’s offensive coordinator, played a role in the defeat.

Despite the setbacks, head coach Jonathan Gannon has remained optimistic, stressing that the Cardinals are not as far off from success as the recent scorelines might suggest. “I told (the team), ‘You have a game like that and you think you’ve got to blow it all up, tear it all down and we’re so far away. We’re really not,'” Gannon said. Arizona’s ongoing issues on third down, both offensively and defensively, have been a major hindrance, and addressing these problems will be a key focus as they move forward.

Third Down: A Critical Factor for Arizona

Arizona’s third-down struggles have been significant in recent games. Against the Detroit Lions, they managed to convert just 1 of 9 third-down attempts (11.1 percent), while allowing Detroit to convert 50 percent of their own. Things got even worse against the Commanders, where Arizona allowed a staggering 75 percent third-down success rate (9 for 12), while only converting 4 of 11 attempts themselves (36.4 percent).

Coach Gannon acknowledged the importance of creating more manageable third-down situations for the team. “I know that any offense — in Pop Warner to the NFL — has a better chance converting when it’s third-and-manageable, so we have to do a better job there,” Gannon said. Encouragingly for Arizona, the 49ers’ defense has shown some vulnerability in this area, allowing the seventh-highest third-down conversion rate in the league at 46 percent, giving the Cardinals a potential opportunity to capitalize.

Marvin Harrison Jr. Shines Amid Offensive Struggles

One bright spot for the Cardinals has been rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., who has impressed over the last three weeks. Harrison has caught 14 passes for 239 yards and four touchdowns during that span, showing his potential as a game-changing talent. The Cardinals will need Harrison to maintain his excellent form if they want to challenge a tough 49ers defense.

Injury Concerns for Both Teams

Injuries could play a significant role in this NFC West matchup. The 49ers have several key players dealing with injuries, including tight end George Kittle (ribs), linebackers Fred Warner (ankle) and Dee Winters (ankle), and wide receivers Jacob Cowing (shoulder) and Chris Conley (oblique). Additionally, defensive lineman Yetur Gross-Matos is managing rib issues, while others such as Jordan Elliott (knee), Kevin Givens (triceps), Talanoa Hufanga (ankle), and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (calf) were limited in practice.

On a positive note, the 49ers could see the return of defensive lineman Kalia Davis, who is working his way back after a preseason knee injury. With defensive tackle Javon Hargrave sidelined due to a partially torn triceps, Davis’ return could provide a much-needed boost to San Francisco’s depth on the defensive line.

Star defensive lineman Nick Bosa highlighted the importance of getting Davis back into the lineup: “We needed a little help with depth,” Bosa said. “Hopefully, (Davis) works in slow, but I think if his body is in good shape, then we already know what he can do as a player.”

For the Cardinals, injuries are also a concern. They will be without key wide receiver Cooper Kupp due to an ankle injury, and Demarcus Robinson (hip) was limited in practice. Defensive end Larrell Murchison (forearm) and cornerback Darious Williams (hamstring) are also dealing with injuries, which could impact Arizona’s ability to slow down the 49ers’ offense.

Injury Report: 49ers Report - Cardinals Report

Key Matchups to Watch

49ers’ Defensive Line vs. Cardinals’ Offensive Line

San Francisco’s defensive line was key in their win over New England, tallying multiple sacks and disrupting the Patriots’ offensive game plan. The Cardinals have struggled in pass protection and on third downs, giving the 49ers an opportunity to apply constant pressure on quarterback Kyler Murray. Arizona’s offensive line will need to be at its best to protect against Nick Bosa and the rest of San Francisco’s aggressive front.

Marvin Harrison Jr. vs. 49ers’ Secondary

Rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. has been a bright spot for Arizona’s offense and will need to continue his strong performances if the Cardinals hope to keep pace with the 49ers. With injuries in the 49ers’ secondary, including to safety Talanoa Hufanga, Harrison could exploit mismatches and create big plays downfield, potentially giving Arizona the spark they need.

George Kittle’s Availability and Impact

George Kittle’s status remains uncertain, but if he plays, he could be a game-changer for the 49ers. Kittle is a top-tier pass catcher and an essential blocker in the running game. Arizona has struggled defensively, particularly on third downs, and Kittle’s ability to convert key plays could help San Francisco control the game and sustain long drives.

Game Prediction and Expectations

The 49ers come into this matchup as the favorites, especially after their strong defensive showing against New England. Arizona has shown potential but has been unable to find consistency, particularly on third downs and in sustaining offensive drives. The Cardinals’ reliance on a rookie receiver and the absence of key players like Cooper Kupp may make it difficult for them to keep up with a 49ers team that appears to be finding its rhythm.

For San Francisco, this game represents an opportunity to move above .500 and build on their recent momentum. If the defensive line can continue its dominance and players like George Kittle and Kalia Davis are able to contribute effectively, the 49ers should take control early. The Cardinals’ best chance lies in getting Kyler Murray into manageable situations and allowing Marvin Harrison Jr. to make big plays.

Ultimately, the 49ers’ superior roster depth and defensive prowess give them the edge in this NFC West clash. Expect San Francisco to capitalize on Arizona’s struggles on both sides of the ball and secure a crucial victory, achieving their first consecutive wins of the season.

The Lean

Our pick vs. the spread is to take the 49ers to cover as home favorites, as they are currently sitting at -7.5 point favorites in this week five matchup against the Cardinals. Our projected final score is 31-22 in favor of the 49ers.

For the over/under line, we like taking the over, with a projected combined score of 53 points and the line sitting at 49.5 points at the moment.