Cardinals vs 49ers preview, predictions, betting odds, live stream info
Arizona Cardinals vs San Francisco 49ers
The Arizona Cardinals happen to be one of the best teams in the NFL and that can be attributed to the hot start of veteran quarterback Carson Palmer who is on pace to have the best season of his career. The now 8-2 Cardinals are likely a lock to make the playoffs and a win against the San Francisco 49ers should almost be expected.
It’s odd to see a San Francisco team without Colin Kaepernick at quarterback, but two years after ridding themselves of Alex Smith, the 49ers are moving on to Blaine Gabbert. Will this team be better without the dual-threat quarterback under center or has Gabbert earned this job, fair and square?
Details for Sunday’s Cardinals vs 49ers game are below:
Date: Sunday, Nov. 29
Start Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
Location: Santa Clara, CA
Stadium: Levi’s Stadium
TV Info: FOX
Live Stream: NFL Sunday Ticket
Radio: For Cardinals radio affiliates, click here. For 49ers radio affiliates, click here.
Ticket Info: For 49ers ticket info, click here. For Cardinals ticket info, click here.
Keys to Victory
Arizona Cardinals
Making Blaine Gabbert uncomfortable in the pocket and forcing the young, unproven quarterback into some errant throws will greatly benefit the Cardinals. Getting a solid rush on Gabbert will lead to some interceptions from this vaunted secondary.
Carson Palmer needs to just keep doing what he’s been doing, completing a decent number of passes and making defenses look silly as he carves them up like a Thanksgiving turkey. John Brown, Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd could all have big days.
San Francisco 49ers
With Colin Kaepernick no longer leading the way for San Francisco, the 49ers will need to rely more on Blaine Gabbert. The offense hasn’t been great all season and will likely struggle even more without Carlos Hyde in the backfield yet again.
However, getting Gabbert some confidence against a tough defense will be key. The Cardinals have one of the best secondaries in the country and maybe getting short throws to Anquan Bolden and opening up the long ball to Torrey Smith will get the offense going.
Betting Odds
Point Spread: Cardinals -9.5
Moneyline: Cardinals -460, 49ers +385
O/U: 45
Predictions
Arizona’s defense is going to swarm the lackluster pass game of the 49ers and Carson Palmer will have a huge game at Levi’s Stadium. The veteran quarterback will finish with nearly 350 yards and three touchdowns while Chris Johnson will add another couple of touchdown scampers. Gabbert will have a long day trying to pass against Patrick Peterson and Co.
Final Score: Cardinals 31, 49ers 17