San Francisco 49ers (6-10) will face off against the Arizona Cardinals (7-9) this Sunday at 4:25 p.m. EST, broadcasting on Fox.
The BetMGM odds favor the Cardinals by 4 points. This season against the spread, the 49ers hold a record of 5-11, while the Cardinals are at 10-6.
Historically, the 49ers have an edge in the series, leading 36-30. In their most recent meeting on October 6, 2024, the Cardinals narrowly defeated the 49ers 24-23 in Santa Clara, California.

Last week, the 49ers suffered a close loss to the Lions, ending with a score of 40-34. The Cardinals also faced defeat as they were beaten by the Rams 13-9.
Analyzing the teams’ performances, the 49ers rank fifth in overall offense, 11th in rushing, fourth in passing, and 13th in scoring. Their defense is ranked sixth overall, 17th against the rush, fourth against the pass, and 22nd in scoring.
Conversely, the Cardinals are 11th overall in offense, seventh in rushing, 18th in passing, and 15th in scoring, while their defense is 18th overall, 20th against the rush, and 12th against the pass, sharing 14th for scoring.
In terms of turnover ratios, the 49ers are at minus-7, and the Cardinals are slightly better at minus-6.

For the 49ers, quarterback Joshua Dobbs will be a player to keep an eye on. With starting QB Brock Purdy sidelined due to an elbow injury, Dobbs will be making his first start for San Francisco. Previously, he started eight games for Arizona last season before being traded to Minnesota, carrying a 77.5 career passer rating with 15 touchdowns and 13 interceptions across 14 starts.
On the Cardinals’ side, tight end Trey McBride stands out as a noteworthy player. McBride has emerged as one of the league’s strongest tight ends this season, achieving over 100 receptions and showcasing impressive strength after the catch, with a significant portion of his receiving yards gained post-catch.

A key matchup to watch will be between QB Kyler Murray and the 49ers’ defensive lineup. Murray has recently struggled with ball security, throwing five touchdowns and eight interceptions in his last six games. The 49ers’ defense, known for being one of the best against the pass, could pose serious challenges for him.
In terms of injuries, the 49ers will be without OL Spencer Burford due to a calf issue, pushing recent additions to join the line. Furthermore, cornerback Charvarius Ward is expected to return after missing a game for personal reasons. Meanwhile, the Cardinals will be without RB James Conner for the rest of the season due to a knee injury.

Historically, the Cardinals’ earlier win this season marked a cessation to their four-game losing streak against the 49ers. This will be the sixth occasion that these two divisional opponents have squared off in their regular season finale since 2002.
Statistically speaking, the 49ers are in a slump, having lost six of their last seven games. A single more loss this season could lead to their second-worst record in eight years under coach Kyle Shanahan. San Francisco looks to recover having been significantly better in divisional matchups in previous seasons.
Furthermore, tight end George Kittle has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards for the season for the fourth time, and rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall had an outstanding game last week, which saw him record the highest receiving yards for a 49ers rookie since Jerry Rice’s notable 1985 performance.

Moving to the Cardinals, they’ve had a downturn with five losses in their last six games since their bye week, although they still hold a solid home record this season.
Lastly, WR Marvin Harrison Jr. is only a handful of yards away from a significant career milestone, which would make him one of the few rookie wide receivers in franchise history to hit the 900-yard mark in a season.

For fantasy players, keep an eye on Harrison as he had one of his best outings last week and may continue to be a focal point in the Cardinals’ offensive strategy. The organization will likely aim to capitalize on his momentum in the final stretch of the season.