- CARDINALS vs 49ERS
- 2:25 p.m. Sunday
- State Farm Stadium
- Line: Cardinals -4 (For more NFL odds, visit the BetMGM online sportsbook)
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Baking In Some Turnovers
Ask any head coach for the "key" to any game and the answer (envelope, please) will inevitably be any variation of "the ball, ball security, win the turnover battle," etc. Yet, since the bye, when the Cardinals ranked squarely in the middle of the NFL with a turnover ratio of 0, it's been a slow drip to a turnover margin (minus-6) that now ranks in the lower third of the league. Of course, it takes more than ball security. The other half of the equation is to generate takeaways. Speaking of that (or perhaps attempting to speak it into existence), the last time the Cards played the Niners, the Arizona D forced three turnovers and one turnover on downs – all in the second half.
-- Paul Calvisi
End Zone = No Fly Zone
Only three teams have allowed fewer passing touchdowns than Nick Rallis' group. The Cardinals go into this week's regular-season finale having seen quarterbacks complete just 18 throws into the end zone for scores. By comparison, last year's defense allowed 32, the third-most in the league. Not only is the improvement a credit to the coaching but also to the players themselves. Yes, there is a Pro Bowl safety (Budda Baker) in the secondary. But there are several players either in Year 2 (cornerbacks Starling Thomas and Garrett Williams) or just completing their rookie seasons (cornerback Max Melton and safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, aka Rabbit). While the 49ers don't have a prolific passing offense -- and a backup QB in Joshua Dobbs -- they do have a number of solid pass catchers that are more than capable of finding the end zone on Sunday.
-- Craig Grialou
The Perfect End For Cardinals' Pro Bowl Tight End
It's a battle royale between two of the league's top tight ends: Trey McBride and George Kittle. Kittle has set the standard for the position over the years, going so far as to host Tight End University in an aim to curate support and growth for the league's younger players, such as McBride. Both the Cardinals and 49ers have done a nice job defending tight ends in limiting receiving yards and touchdowns. Despite a stout San Francisco defense, expect McBride to continue to be the focal point of this offense as they look to put out a clean performance to end the season on a high note. McBride got the monkey off his back after recording his first receiving touchdown of the season, while already being a menace in every other part of the field all season. It earned him his first Pro Bowl nod. Now he just needs to snag one or two more against a division rival.
-- Dani Sureck
