A new hope arrives for the San Francisco 49ers (0-8) in quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, but not in time to affect this game. Instead, it will be rookie C.J. Beathard who will take his team into battle in a quest for their first win of 2017 when they host the Arizona Cardinals (3-4) at Levi’s Stadium Sunday
The game will be broadcast on your local FOX affiliate at 4:05 p.m. EST.
The Game: Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers (+2.5)
O/U: 39.5
The History
The Cardinals and 49ers have been in the same division, the NFC West, since the NFL re-aligned in 2002. They’ve played 52 times since 1951 with San Francisco holding a 29-23 advantage in the all time series.
Arizona has won the last five match ups between the two teams, beginning with a 47-7 victory at University of Pheonix Stadium on September 27, 2015. Before that, San Francisco won 10 of the previous 12 contests.
ARIZONA CARDINALS (3-4)
The Cardinals had a bye week to prepare for this game, but since they were doing it with Drew Stanton and no David Johnson, how much good could that do? This was a team headed for a .500 record at best at full strength. Now, without Johnson and Carson Palmer, there’s little hope for anything but a high draft pick.
There’s also the nice little distraction of Bruce Arians’ possible retirement at the end of the season. It’s a shitstorm.
Stanton isn’t a horrible quarterback. In fact, he’s one of the better back ups in the league. The Cardinals have won with him at the helm before, but that’s with a full compliment of offensive weapons and a sturdy defense. They don’t even have that now.
Two weeks ago the Los Angeles Rams beat Arizona 33-0 and did pretty much whatever they wanted on both sides of the ball. The Cardinals managed just one sack and four stops in the backfield. They did buckle down in the red zone, but only forced one turnover that they could do nothing with on offense.
Daniel Munyer is listed as out for Arizona. Chad Williams didn’t practice Thursday or Friday and is officially questionable.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (0-8)
The 49ers roll into this game off their own curb stomp loss, 33-10 to the Philadelphia Eagles. C.J. Beathard was 17 for 36 for 167 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He got no help from the run game and actually led San Francisco on the ground with six carries for 40 yards. This is what Jimmy Garoppolo is getting himself into.
Is there a bright side other than the fact they should have a decent quarterback holding a surface tablet this week? Well, the 49ers competed hard for at least six of their previous eight games. They took the Cardinals to overtime earlier this year and lost thanks to a Larry Fitzgerald touchdown in the extra period. It’s kind of what Fitzgerald does.
They have a good group of pass rushers led by DeForest Buckner. They sacked Carson Wentz three times and got seven stops in the backfield. They also forced a turnover. There was no chance to win against Philadelphia and they knew it coming in. They should feel a tad more confident at home against a depleted Arizona team.
The Cardinals are usually solid on defense, but Carlos Hyde could still be a factor in this one. It’s hard to know what psychological shape Arizona is in. There’s every chance they’re just playing out the season and Hyde could be in for a nice day on the ground.
The Pick
In spite of two consecutive blowouts, I’m feeling the 49ers this week. They’re obviously playing in a lost season, but there’s something about adding that quarterback of the future that could fire this team up, even if he’s not going to play. Arizona is a dumpster fire just trying to keep a drunken homeless guy from falling inside it. San Francisco has to win sometime. I say this is it. 49ers 20, Cardinals 16
This week
Straight up: 0-1
Against the spread: 0-1
Last week
Straight up: 9-4
Against the spread: 8-5
Season
Straight up: 69-50
Against the spread: 58-61
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