San Francisco (7-0) at Arizona (3-4-1)
When: Thursday, October 31st, 2019
Where: State Farm Stadium,
Glendale, Arizona
Time: 8:20 ET | TV: FOX
Opening Odds: San Francisco -6.5/47
Reigning Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray will get his first taste of prime time action when his Arizona Cardinals host the undefeated San Francisco 49ers on Thursday Night Football to kick off Week 9. He has largely lived up to the hype and is the clear NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year favorite halfway through the season despite not having a good team around him. This is also the first year in the league for head coach Kliff Kingsbury, who is doing an adequate job so far. The Cardinals, who won just three games in 2018, saw their three game winning streak come to a halt with a 31-9 loss at New Orleans on Sunday. This will be the second of three prime time games for the surprising 49ers after they dominated the Cleveland Browns 31-3 in a Monday night game back in Week 5. San Francisco’s defense has been getting stronger each week and the offense exploded for 51 points in the win over Carolina on Sunday to improve to 7-0 for the first time since 1990. Arizona has dominated the 49ers the past few years, sweeping each of the past four season series and winning the past five at home. The game in Arizona lats season finished 18-15 with Josh Rosen, now with the Dolphins, throwing two touchdown passes in that one, including the game-winner to Christian Kirk with 34 seconds remaining. The 49ers also lost at home 28-18 and the road team is 5-1 ATS in the past six meetings.
The league’s No. 1 ranked defense is led by Nick Bosa, who had three sacks and an interception in last week’s 51-13 mauling of the Panthers and is the clear favorite to be NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. He became the third rookie since 1982 to have at least three sacks and an interception in a single game. San Francisco has allowed 20 points or less in all seven games including three of seven points or less. Tevin Coleman rushed for 105 yards and three scores and the Niners had 232 yards and five touchdowns on the ground overall. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo threw for 175 yards and two scores including one to Coleman. San Francisco will host the Seattle Seahawks next Monday night.
Murray threw for 220 yards last week against New Orleans but was unable to find the end zone for the second straight week. He will need to step up his game this week with top running back David Johnson expected to miss another game an ankle injury and backup Chase Edmonds is doubtful with a hamstring injury he suffered in last week’s game. Arizona acquired running back Kenyan Drake in trade from the Dolphins on Monday and he might have to quickly get ready for action. The defense is ranked 29th overall and 29th in points allowed (27.9) after surrendering 21 points or more in all eight games this season. The Cardinals will be at Tampa Bay next week before playing the Niners again in Week 11.
The Cardinals have a promising future, but they just don’t have enough right now to compete with San Francisco. Arizona has a depleted backfield right now and that will put too much pressure on Murray against the No. 1 defense in the NFL.
Pick: 49ers -9.5 (More Week 9 Free Picks)
49ers are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games after allowing less than 250 total yards in their previous game.
49ers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
49ers are 15-32-4 ATS in their last 51 games following a straight up win of more than 14 points.
49ers are 14-30-1 ATS in their last 45 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
49ers are 5-11 ATS in their last 16 games in Week 9.
49ers are 5-11 ATS in their last 16 vs. NFC.
49ers are 4-10 ATS in their last 14 games after accumulating more than 150 yards rushing in their previous game.
49ers are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 vs. NFC West.
49ers are 1-4 ATS vs. a team with a losing record.
Cardinals are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games in Week 9.
Cardinals are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games after allowing more than 30 points in their previous game.
Cardinals are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games in October.
Cardinals are 19-7-2 ATS in their last 28 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
Cardinals are 5-2-1 ATS in their last 8 games after accumulating less than 250 total yards in their previous game.
Cardinals are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 home games.
Cardinals are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Cardinals are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games on grass.
Cardinals are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Cardinals are 2-6-1 ATS in their last 9 Thursday games.
Under is 4-0 in 49ers last 4 games after accumulating more than 150 yards rushing in their previous game.
Under is 5-1 in 49ers last 6 games in October.
Under is 5-1 in 49ers last 6 games on grass.
Under is 5-1 in 49ers last 6 games in Week 9.
Under is 4-1 in 49ers last 5 games overall.
Under is 4-1 in 49ers last 5 games following a straight up win.
Over is 4-1 in 49ers last 5 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in 49ers last 5 games following a ATS win.
Under is 4-1 in 49ers last 5 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
Under is 9-3 in 49ers last 12 Thursday games.
Under is 5-2 in 49ers last 7 vs. a team with a losing record.
Under is 7-3 in 49ers last 10 games after scoring more than 30 points in their previous game.
Under is 7-1 in Cardinals last 8 games after allowing more than 30 points in their previous game.
Under is 9-2 in Cardinals last 11 games after accumulating less than 250 total yards in their previous game.
Over is 4-1 in Cardinals last 5 games following a straight up loss.
Under is 4-1 in Cardinals last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
Under is 7-2 in Cardinals last 9 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Over is 5-2 in Cardinals last 7 games after allowing more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
Under is 5-2 in Cardinals last 7 vs. NFC West.
Under is 22-10 in Cardinals last 32 home games.
Road team is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 meetings.
Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Arizona.
Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
Underdog is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings.
49ers are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 meetings in Arizona.
49ers are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 meetings.
