2014 NFL Week 3 49ers vs. Cardinals Picks & Predictions
By Anthony Rome
GLENDALE, AZ (The Spread) - The Cardinals are the only team in the NFC West that is 2-0 but they find themselves as a home underdogs today versus the 49ers at 4:05PM ET.
SAN FRANCISCO: The 49ers blew a 17-0 lead in a 28-10 loss to the Bears in Week 2. Quarterback Colin Kaepernick was at his worst, throwing three interceptions in the loss, including on back-to-back possessions to Kyle Fuller in the fourth quarter. Kaepernick did rush for 66 yards on nine carries in the loss, while Michael Crabtree caught seven passes for 82 yards and a score. San Francisco is now 1-1 on the year and 1-1 against the spread.
ARIZONA: Despite not having starting quarterback Carson Palmer in the lineup, the Cardinals improved to 2-0 on the year with a 25-14 road victory as a 1-point road underdog versus the Giants in Week 2. Backup Drew Stanton only threw for 167 yards but was efficient in the victory, while running back Andre Ellington rushed for 91 yards on 15 carries and Larry Fitzgerald caught six passes for 51 yards. Ted Ginn Jr. also returned a punt 71 yards in the fourth quarter to give Arizona a lead for good. The Cards are now 2-0 straight up and 2-0 against the spread.
According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetDSI, the 49ers are 3-point road favorites over the Cardinals while the total is currently sitting at 42 points. San Francisco opened as 2.5-point favorites before the line was bumped up, while the total opened at 42 and that's where it currently sits.
NFL FREE PICK: Take San Francisco. According to latest NFL trends, the 49ers are 7-1 against the spread in their last eight games in Arizona and 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games overall versus the Cardinals. The road team is also 12-5 against the number in the last 17 meetings between these two teams. The Cardinals, meanwhile, are 1-4 against the number in their last five games after accumulating less than 150 yards passing in their previous game and 1-5 ATS in their lat six games in Week 3.
2014 NFL WEEK 3 FREE PICK: SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS -3