The NFL betting board has three games this Boxing Day including an NFC West matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals.
With an 8-6 record, the Cardinals are in the middle of a playoff push and installed as 4.5-point favorites against the 49ers, who have struggled through an injury-plagued campaign after making the Super Bowl just 10 months ago.
We break down the NFL odds with our best free 49ers vs. Cardinals picks and predictions for Saturday, December 26, with kickoff at 4:30 p.m. ET.
San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals Betting Preview
Weather
This game will be played indoors at State Farm Stadium. Be sure to monitor other Week 16 gametime conditions with our NFL weather info.
Key Injuries
49ers: George Kittle TE (Probable), Raheem Mostert RB (Out), Jimmie Ward DB (Questionable), Jeff Wilson Jr. RB (Questionable), Nick Mullens QB (Out), Deebo Samuel WR (Out), Nick Bosa DE (Out), Dee Ford DE (Out), Jimmy Garoppolo QB (Out), Jaquiski Tartt S (Out), Ronald Blair III DL (Out), Solomon Thomas DL (Out), Weston Richburg C (Out), Richard Sherman CB (Out), Dion Jordan DL (Doubtful), Javon Kinlaw DT (Questionable), Emmanuel Moseley CB (Questionable).
Cardinals: Maxx Williams TE (Questionable), Justin Pugh OL (Questionable), Zane Gonzalez K (Out), Johnathan Joseph CB (Out), Corey Peters DT (Out), Chandler Jones LB (Out), Marcus Gilbert T (Out), Dan Arnold TE (Questionable), Darrell Daniels TE (Questionable), Chase Edmonds RB (Questionable), Larry Fitzgerald WR (Questionable), Dennis Gardeck LB (Out), Dre Kirkpatrick CB (Questionable), Haason Reddick LB (Questionable).
Find our latest NFL injury reports.
Betting Trend to Know
Arizona is 5-0-1 ATS in the last six meetings between these NFC West foes. Find more NFL betting trends for 49ers vs. Cardinals.
Against the Spread (ATS) Pick
San Francisco's rough season continued last week in a 41-33 loss to lowly Dallas. The 49ers have been decimated by key injuries on both sides of the ball and are now just 1-6 SU and ATS in their last seven games. The Cardinals are coming off back-to-back wins, allowing them to bounce back from three consecutive losses. Arizona now controls its own playoff destiny and defeating the Niners this week – and the Rams next week – will guarantee their trip to the postseason.
Led by second-year quarterback Kyler Murray and offseason acquisition DeAndre Hopkins, the Cardinals are third in the league in yards per game with 399.2. On the other hand, the 49ers have struggled on offense without quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, All Pro tight end George Kittle and a litany of other offensive injuries throughout the year.
While Kittle is proving his toughness by possibly returning to the field after breaking his foot, he'll be hard-pressed to immediately improve a San Fran offense that is 25th in the NFL at converting on third downs and averages 23.8 points per game.
In addition, the Niners are tied with Denver for the most turnovers in the league. With the Cards 4-1 ATS in their last five games against teams with a losing record, expect them to take advantage of San Francisco's sloppy play and cover this spread.
PREDICTION: Arizona -4.5 (-110)
Over/Under Pick
Somewhat surprisingly, given the massive losses of edge rushers Dee Ford and Nick Bosa, the 49ers have actually been stout on defense, holding opponents to 314.3 yards per game—the fifth-lowest mark in the league.
Even last week, when Dallas scored 41 points against them, the Niners defense held the Cowboys' offense to just 291 yards and 15 first downs.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals have taken massive strides on the defensive side of the ball despite losing their own star pass rusher, Chandler Jones, to a season-ending injury in October. After surrendering 27.6 ppg a year ago, Arizona has reduced that number to 23.5 ppg in 2020.
The Cards have cashed the Under in six of their last seven games against teams with a losing record, while the Niners are 5-2 to the Under in their previous seven contests as an underdog. Back the Under again.
PREDICTION: Under 49 (-110)
First Half Bet
The 49ers offense has been pretty pathetic this season but their first-half team total of 10.5 still seems too low. After all, the Niners average 11.6 ppg during the first 30 minutes of games while the Cardinals defense allows 12.9.
When you factor in that Arizona's first-half scoring defense balloons to 16.9 ppg at home and the Nines should be fairly comfortable at State Farm Stadium after playing their last two "home" games here, and you have us leaning towards the Over.
PREDICTION: San Francisco First Half Team Total Over 10.5 (+100)
49ers vs Cardinals Betting Card
- Arizona -4.5 (-110)
- Under 49 (-110)
- San Francisco First Half Team Total Over 10.5 (+100)
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