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Cardinals vs. 49ers NFL Odds

Written December 14, 2009 by Hector Garza

Monday night football features a great matchup between the Cardinals (8-4) and the 49′ers (5-7). The winner has a great shot to win the NFC West, where both teams are currently sporting a 3-1 division record. Arizona has won four of their last five contests, last week handing Minnesota their second loss of the season in convincing fashion. They’re the 3 point favorites according to our NFL odds, despite losing to San Francisco 16-20 in Week 1.

After winning three of their first four games, the 49′ers were optimistic about their season. Since then they’ve dropped 6 of 8, with their most recent loss being handed to them by the Seahawks on a field goal in the last play of regulation. That division loss was a punch to the gut as they face a must win to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. QB Alex Smith has been the starter since week 7, and has proven himself capable with thirteen td’s to seven interceptions and 1577 yards. Vernon Davis has emerged as one of the premier tight ends in the league, leading all receivers with 63 receptions for 781 yards and ten scores. Since his signing, wide receiver Michael Crabtree has also made his presence felt catching 32 passes for 406 yards and one score in only seven games played. Frank Gore has done a good job averaging 4.9 ypc and six rushing scores and has also caught 41 passes for three td’s. The defense is tied for 10th in the league in scoring, allowing 19.4 ppg. Their strength has been limiting the running game as they’re yielding 95.8 ypg, but the secondary is getting torched for 250.6 ypg, an area that Arizona will be looking to expose. Click here for more information on NFL Betting.

The Cardinals are hoping to ride the arm of Kurt Warner to the playoffs and beyond for the second straight year. He’s 8-3 in the eleven games he’s started, and with deep threats Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald healthy, he’s got a solid core of receivers to throw to. He’s already surpassed the 3,000 yards mark despite missing a game with a concussion, and has thrown a 23 td’s to 11 int’s. While Fitzgerald and Boldin have accounted for over 1700 yards and 14 scores, fellow receiver Steve Breaston has also put up some impressive stats. He’s caught 44 passes for three scores and is also proving himself a capable punt returner, amassing another 230 yards on 26 returns. Tim Hightower is third on the team with 51 catches, and splits time with fellow RB Beanie Wells to produce a legitimate running threat with ten total scores on the season. Defensively the Cardinals shut down Minnesota last week, holding the potent offense to 315 total yards and only 62 rushing yards. They picked off Brett Favre twice and sacked him three times in the 30-17 home win. They’ll be looking for a repeat performance against another bruising back in Gore. Act now to get up to $100 free when opening a new account at SportInteraction.

This game could decide the NFC West, and the 49er’s will be plenty motivated in order to keep their small window open to the playoffs. San Francisco will be playing at home and should be trying to harass Kurt Warner. He’s got six fumbles and has been sacked sixteen times on the year. Despite that, I give the nod to Arizona with the stronger offense and the momentum of playing great football toward the end of the year. You can check out more free NFL picks at Betfirms, where there’s no better site for winning football picks.