If not for some earlier losses that could have easily been wins – four of the Cardinals’ seven losses have come by a total of just 11 points – Arizona could be battling the Niners for the division lead instead of being relegated to the role of spoiler.
However, recent history tells us today’s game may not be much of a fi ght: the Niners have cashed in six straight meetings and gone 6-0 ATS in their last six trips to the Grand Canyon state.
The 49ers are also a perfect 12-0 ATS away if they’re .500 or better and playing on the division road versus a foe off a home game
Impressive as that may be, San Fran clinched its fi rst playoff berth since 2002 with last week’s 26-0 whitewash of St. Louis and the resulting celebration may fi nd them a tad fat here today.
As the 5-7 Cards proved in last week’s upset of Dallas, they haven’t called it quits just yet and actually fi nd themselves on a sneaky 4-1 SU and ATS run – with the lone loss coming against this Frisco squad.
The hosts have been gold as home dogs of more than 3 points versus a foe off a SU double-digit win, going 7-0 ATS, and head coach Ken Whisenhunt owns a money-making 12-3 SU and ATS mark on this fi eld versus a foe off a SU DD win – including 4-0 SU and ATS if tangling with a division opponent.
If Arizona can pull off the upset here, winnable games against Cleveland, Cincinnati and Seattle would give the Cards a shot at fi nishing with a winning season at 9-7.
Regardless, with strong numbers on both sides of this matchup, we’ll opt to take the points and fade the hungover, division-clinching Niners.
Sportsbooks currently have the 49ers listed as 4-point favorites versus the Cardinals, while the game's total is sitting at 40½.
