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NFL: Cardinals, Niners, Best Week 9 Picks

By Matthew Lottice

Dec 21, 2013; Las Vegas, NV, USA; General view of the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign on Las Vegas Blvd. before the Las Vegas Bowl between the Fresno State Bulldogs and the Southern California Trojans. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2013; Las Vegas, NV, USA; General view of the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign on Las Vegas Blvd. before the Las Vegas Bowl between the Fresno State Bulldogs and the Southern California Trojans. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Here are three NFL picks against the spread sure to increase your bankroll

The halfway point of the NFL season has arrived. This gets to be near that point in the schedule where playoff contenders began to impose their will and separate themselves a bit. There are a few great matchups on Sunday best viewed without a wager from my perspective, but there’s always opportunities. Let get to it, trick or treat, and good luck!

Arizona +3: An official Vegas line was released today, but several offshore books had Dallas favored between three and four points. Bruce Arians’ program has flourished in Arizona and Carson Palmer resembles his USC form. His completion percentage wasn’t superb last week, but he threw for 329 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. His last TD to John Brown proved to be the game winner. The 6-1 Cardinals feature the NFL’s fifth-best scoring defense (19.9 ppg) even though all their main linebackers are out and elite corner Patrick Peterson is questionable with a concussion.

Oct 26, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown (12) celebrates by dancing after a 75 yard touchdown during the second half against the Philadelphia Eagles at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 26, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown (12) celebrates by dancing after a 75 yard touchdown during the second half against the Philadelphia Eagles at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

Dallas is being cautious, taking a wait and see approach with Tony Romo’s back contusion. They are mandated to since he underwent surgery before last season’s end. Romo insists he will play if pain is the only drawback and nothing is structurally damaged. Coming off an upset loss to the Washington Redskins on Monday Night Football put a damper on Jerry Jones’ enjoyment of a fast start to quiet doubters. Now at 6-2, the Cowboys get another home game on a short week. Their patchwork defense lost yet another player when linebacker Justin Durant tore his bicep. With so many questions heading into Sunday, I’ll take a stout road team receiving points.

49ers -10: My hometown team the San Francisco 49ers rested up during a bye week and they will benefit from it. Especially with an inferior and physically beat up St. Louis team. Jeff Fisher stunned Pete Carroll’s Seahawks two weeks ago 28-26, but it was a different story when they remained in state but traveled to Arrowhead to face Kansas City. A 7-0 lead quickly evaporated and cascaded into a 34-7 bludgeoning.
The Niners will be smarting themselves with a week to mull over a 42-17 mauling on Sunday Night Football in Denver. Jim Harbaugh

It was a short week and they were minus several key players, but a bye week got many of them healthy or at least questionable to play. Most importantly, linebacker Patrick Willis has been practicing after sustaining a sprained toe against the Rams. It could be a long day for Rams quarterback Austin Davis, who could struggle to lead drives without many playmakers against a defense welcoming reinforcements back each week.

St. Louis has several issues on their offensive line, including tackle Jake Long’s torn ACL last week. Leading receiver Brian Quick was lost for the season as well due to a dislocated shoulder. San Francisco hasn’t been overly impressive at their new digs, but they should be anticipating this one to keep pace in the NFC West at 4-3. The superior talent across the board coupled with an eagerness to compete in their subsequent blowout loss will have Colin Kaepernick and crew seeing blood in the water.

Indianapolis -3: The Monday Night Football game features two quarterbacks with NFL pedigrees. One’s father (Eli Manning) was a more heralded pro than the other’s (Andrew Luck), but it’s about here and now. Andrew Luck is climbing NFL QB rankings rapidly. Ben Roethlisberger outdid him last weekend in Pittsburgh to the tune of 51-34, which dropped the Colts to 5-3. Luck’s 32,731 passing yards are on pace to shatter Peyton Manning 5,477 yards set in 2013. Reggie Wayne is questionable with an elbow injury, but safety LaRon Landry is on pace to return after being popped for steroids.

Luck’s rapid ascension intercedes with Eli Manning’s rough start in New York again despite two Super Bowls with coach Tom Coughlin. Kevin Gilbride is out and Ben McAdoo assumed offensive coordinator with a West Coast style emphasis. A more conservative approach has Eli completing nearly 65% of his passes with 14 touchdowns and only five interceptions. However, the Giants are 3-4 and Manning doesn’t have Victor Cruz for the season and probably won’t have Rashad Jennings in the backfield. Despite the home bye, New York has played better on the road more often in the Manning-Coughlin era.

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