Arizona gets 8.5 points in Santa Clara, CA on Sunday, September 27 at 4:05 PM ET, and for a division game both hosts decided that is too many. The total is 48. They took the Cardinals on the NFL Picks Week 3 episode.
Cardinals vs 49ers Odds
San Francisco is an 8.5-point home favorite over Arizona, and the total sits at 48.
Our Picks
- Ryan Kramer (@KramerCentric): Cardinals +8.5
- Sean Green (@SeanTGreen): Cardinals +8.5
The segment started with some doubt about Arizona. The more Ryan dug into the Cardinals, the less he liked them, and Sean was quick to credit Brock Purdy, who has been nearly flawless over the first two weeks. Then the history came out. Per the show, the 49ers have failed to cover eight straight home games against NFC West opponents, with the last cover back in October 2023, and Arizona tends to get up for this matchup.
A closer look at the spread made it stronger. Over the last five meetings in San Francisco, the Niners went 2-3 against the number. Both covers came when they were laying 14 and 15; the smaller spreads are where they came up short. That fits a game the guys expect to be scrappy, and they called the Cardinals close to a close-your-eyes special with enough talent to keep it competitive.
There was a scheduling angle too. The theory on the show is that San Francisco spent last week proving it wouldn’t have a letdown after the Australia game, which makes this week the real letdown spot, and Denver comes to town next. They also wondered whether the 49ers might take their foot off the gas and be careful with a couple of banged-up players against Arizona. On the Cardinals side, there has been locker-room chatter about getting the receivers more involved, which could matter against a matchup the guys like on paper.
Hear the full breakdown on the NFL Picks Week 3 episode, or listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Watch every game on YouTube, and download the SGPN app at sg.pn/links. See all our NFL Picks.
