The San Francisco 49ers (12-4) will play host to the visiting Arizona Cardinals (4-12) in a Week 18 battle of the best and the worst in the NFC West.
These two teams couldn’t be any different at the moment as the 49ers are going to make a playoff run while the Cardinals have been long eliminated from the playoffs.
Both teams have lost their starting quarterbacks, Kyler Murray and Jimmy Garoppolo. That means we’ll get to see Brock Purdy and David Blough face off.
Blough just went for 222 yards and a touchdown last week in a loss to Atlanta. Meanwhile, Purdy and the 49ers snuck past the Raiders by a field goal.
The 49ers need a win this week and for the Giants to beat the Eagles to secure the top seed in the NFC. I expect that they’ll be playing all of their starters and doing everything they can to secure a win, despite the fact that they can probably coast to victory.
Arizona currently holds the fourth overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Frankly, they might be better off accepting the loss and getting healthy for next year, as well as a better draft pick.
Continue reading for my Arizona vs San Francisco predictions and best bets for this divisional matchup.
Cardinals vs 49ers Odds
As of Tuesday afternoon, at Caesars Sportsbook, the 49ers are projected to win this one by 14 points. While that spread is the highest on the slate and obviously significant, it’s totally warranted.
The Cardinals have been one of the most disappointing teams of the 2022 season, and injuries have made it even worse. It’s not surprising in the least to see the odds where they are in this one.
Take a look at the best Cardinals odds and 49ers odds for the 2022 NFL season.
Cardinals vs 49ers Implied Totals
49ers 27, Cardinals 13
With a total set at 40 points, the oddsmakers are projecting the 49ers offense and defense to dominate in a low-scoring game.
Cardinals vs 49ers Pick of the Day
Read more on this Cardinals vs 49ers bet below.
Cardinals vs 49ers Prediction
49ers 33, Cardinals 10
This 49ers offense hasn’t fallen off since losing Garoppolo. Purdy has started the last five games and has thrown for two touchdowns in every single one, with an additional rushing touchdown back in Week 14 against the Buccaneers.
Since acquiring running back Christian McCaffrey in Week 7, he’s scored nine touchdowns in 10 games. He’s a touchdown machine and has 20+ touches in four games.
Regardless of who is throwing the ball, he’s the focal point of this offense, especially as Deebo Samuel has missed the last three games.
This game means everything to the 49ers who will do everything in their power to try and get that first-round bye in the playoffs. And again, Arizona needs to focus on getting healthy and acquiring a better draft pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Look for the 49ers to get up early and not let off the gas. Arizona is not just out of playoff contention, but they’ve struggled this year on both sides of the ball.
DeAndre Hopkins also missed last week with a knee injury, and they’d be smart to just let him sit and get healthy.
I think the 49ers win this one in a blowout. The way their defense has been playing, the 49ers could sit their starters and still shut the Cardinals’ offense down.
Cardinals vs 49ers Bet Tips
Here are a couple Cardinals vs 49ers betting trends to consider before making your bets:
- The 49ers are 10-6 against the spread this year.
- The total has gone Over 40 points in nine of the 49ers’ 16 games this year.
Cardinals vs 49ers Best Bets
49ers -14 (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook
WAGER: 1 Unit
This is projected to be the most lopsided matchup on the slate, and rightfully so. San Francisco will likely end up with the No. 2 seed in the NFC behind the Eagles, who should beat the Giants this week.
That being said, the 49ers will be doing everything in their power to secure a win and at least get a chance at the top seed in their conference.
Purdy and the 49ers’ offense should have no problem covering two touchdowns. This one should be an absolute blowout, where San Francisco could realistically end up sitting their starters in the second half and still getting the win.
Two touchdowns can be a tough spread to live up to, but I’m betting the 49ers will do just that.
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Over 40 Points (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook
WAGER: 1 Unit
San Francisco is going to get up early in this one and not hold back. Don’t be surprised if you see the 49ers going into the second half up by double-digits.
Back in Week 11, the 49ers beat the Cardinals 38-10. That was in a game without Murray, as he missed Week 10 and Week 11 with injuries before tearing his ACL in Week 14.
Look for the 49ers to win this one easily and for the Over to hit.
Want to bet on the Cardinals? Check out the best Arizona sportsbooks!
Cardinals vs 49ers Props
Check out the best Cardinals vs 49ers player prop bets this week with our props comparison tool. Click on “Show More Games" below to find the Arizona vs San Francisco game and see all of its prop bets.
