The second part of the Boxing Day triple header of action in the NFL provides us with a clash from the NFC West as the play-off chasing Arizona Cardinals host the San Francisco 49ers who will know all about conditions given that they are using this base as their home ground for the remainder of the campaign.
The 49ers already know that they won’t be returning to the big dance but the Cardinals know that their destiny is in their own hands but they have to keep on winning in order for that to remain the case. Matches in this division are always competitive and this should be no different.
Arizona Cardinals
It wasn’t too long ago that the Arizona Cardinals were heading the way in the NFC West and looking a crack hot outfit. They lost their way with four defeats in five, which would have been all five had it not been for a miracle play, but to their credit they have repaired some of the damage with successive wins to take into this match. Their chances of the division title have now gone but they can still be involved in the postseason if they hold their nerve from here on in.
The offense has been a bit of an issue throughout the season for the Cardinals. They have largely got away with it because Kyler Murray is so good but there has been little in the way of an established run game and some inexperienced receivers have had issues at times. By and large the Cardinals defence has gone alright but even they have been overwhelmed when they have come up against the bigger and better teams.
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San Francisco 49ers
Clearly this hasn’t been the follow up campaign to a Super Bowl run that the San Francisco 49ers would have wanted. Injuries haven’t helped them one little bit and they remain without some key players now. That has contributed to an indifferent run of results which has taken them out of postseason contention and now they will be looking to play the role of the spoiler against their NFC West rivals here.
Such has been the issues that the 49ers have had, they have lost six of their last seven matches but it should be noted that the win came against the Los Angeles Rams so they can still be competitive in the division when the stars align. The loss to the Dallas Cowboys last week was not good but to concede more than 40pts to them will be a huge concern going into this match. The defeat to Washington the week before wasn’t a lot better.
Betting
I’m not a massive fan of backing the Arizona Cardinals to cover a mid-range spread but I just can’t not oppose the San Francisco 49ers here. Not only are they without their starting quarterback but they are missing backup Nick Mullens too which means they are down to their third choice starting triggerman. When you consider that the Cardinals beat a stronger looking 49ers on the opening week of the season over in San Francisco, it highlights the good chance of a home win here.
It also helps that the Arizona Cardinals are the only team playing for something competitively here and even though I’ve never been a subscriber to the ‘must win will win’ theory that haunts a lot of assessments in the sporting world, I am a subscriber to that theory when the team that is being opposed is badly beaten up and entitled to feel sorry for itself. If the Cardinals are not only going to make it to the play-offs but have a decent run in them then they need be seeing off the 49ers by more than 4.5pts here.
Tips
Back Arizona Cardinals (-4.5) to beat San Francisco 49ers for a 3/10 stake at 1.80 with 888sport
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