The Arizona Cardinals look to beat the San Francisco 49ers for the second straight time as they host the Niners, Sunday Sept 13. On an injury note WR Anquan Boldin has sat out the final two pre-season games with a minor hamstring problem and is a game time decision. NFL oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com have the Cardinals as -6.5 point home favorites over the Niners with the over/under set at 46 points. Be sure to get your Arizona Cardinals vs San Francisco 49ers NFL Week 1 Predictions in now at Sportsbook.com
The Niners are struggling between QB Alex Smith and QB Shaun Hill. Hill has a legitimate chance to beat out Smith, who started the first half of the 2008 season. Smith went 2-5 during seven games in the 2007-08 season throwing for 914 yards with two TD’s but four interceptions, while Shaun Hill played nine games going 5-3 with 13 TD’s after throwing for 2,046 yards. RB Frank Gore had a breakout season with 1,036 rushing yards and six TD’S. The wide receiving unit was another weakness ranked 13th. The drafting of WR Michael Crabtree was the perfect way to improve their passing game. Crabtree played college football for Texas Tech, where he received recognition as one of the nation's most prolific wide receivers. He was a 2007 unanimous first-team All-American and the winner of the 2007 and 2008 Paul Warfield and Biletnikoff Awards, which are given to the nation's top college receiver. If he matures quickly and develops as a go to playmaker, he could help Vernon Davis fulfill his potential and steady Isaac Bruce see easier schemes. They all need someone to get them the ball though, and it will be interesting to see who wins command, Smith or Hill. On defense the Niners need more consistency and stability, and need to prevent collapses and lapses that lead to big plays. If Singletary can motivate and coach up the unit enough, the defense has enough talent to be above average. Their defense did well in total yards allowed and against the rush, but they need to improve on pass defense and points against. The Niners are 5-5 SU when playing in September and 4-6 SU when playing within the NFC West. They went 3-1 SU in the pre-season.
The Cardinals did not make too many off-season moves so the bulk of their NFC Championship team will be back this season. The most important player returning will be QB Kurt Warner who passed for 4,583 yards and 30 TD’s. The Cardinals outstanding receiving corps of Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston will also be returning. Between the four of them they added 26 TD’s and combined for 3,475 passing yards. The Cardinals did look to improve their rushing offense, which ranked last in the league in 2008, during the off-season by drafting Chris "Beanie" Wells from Ohio State with their first round draft pick. Wells rushed for over 3,000 yards in three seasons with the Buckeyes. With the addition of RB Chirs Wells the Cardinals will have a more balanced offensive attack in 2009. Look for the Cardinals to maintain a potent offense in 2009. On defense they lost DE Antonio Smith, LB Karlos Dansy and DE Chike Okeafor. Their defense will need to step it up as well as DB’s Adrian Wilson, Antrel Rolle and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. The three were very inconsistent in 2008. The defensive line starters are solid enough, but depth is lacking. The Cardinals are 4-6 SU when playing in September and 8-2 SU when playing within the NFC West. They went 0-4 SU in the pre-season.
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Over is 5-0 in the last 5 meetings in Arizona.
- 49ers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings in Arizona.
- Over is 8-3 in the last 11 meetings.
- Underdog is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 meetings.
- Road team is 7-0 ATS in their last 7 meetings.
Arizona Cardinals vs San Francisco 49ers
When: Sun, Sept 13, 2009 4:15 PM ET
Line: Sportsbook.com
Pick: Cardinals -6.5
Point-Spreads.com Arizona Cardinals vs San Francisco 49ers NFL Week 1 Predictions
The Bottom Line: Kurt Warner is going to air it out on the Niners and cover the spread. Be sure to get your Arizona Cardinals vs San Francisco 49ers NFL Week 1 Predictions in now at Sportsbook.com and get a 100% Deposit Bonus at Sportsbook.com, simply use promo code WIN100 and start winning today!
