Cards Wire and Niners Wire make their picks and predictions for the game.
The Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers faced one another two weeks ago on Thursday night at State Farm Stadium. The result was a 28-25 loss for Arizona. It was one of their stronger performances of the season and they had a chance to win down the stretch.
Now the two teams meet for the second and final time this season. Arizona is healthier. San Francisco is banged up. The Niners are also coming off their first loss of the season in an overtime game on a short week.
How will this game play out? Niners Wire managing editor Kyle Madson and I both give our game picks and predictions.
Both of us expect a close game that the 49ers ultimately win.
Jess Root: 49ers 28, Cardinals 27
With as many players out or expected to be out as there will be for the Niners, I expect another close game. San Fran will still make plays but the Cardinals will once again move the ball against the 49ers defense. In the end, it will be a 28-27 Niners win. Kicker Chase McLaughlin’s made extra point will be the difference after missing a potential game-winner against the Seahawks last week.
Kyle Madson: 49ers 23, Cardinals 21
I don’t think Arizona will move the ball as easily on the ground, and I think San Francisco will have a little more success in the run game. However, I don’t expect Garoppolo to whip it around the yard again to the tune of 317 yards and four touchdowns. The 49ers are going to aim for a ball-control offense that keeps Murray and Johnson on the sidelines. Whether they can do that is another question though, since they’re averaging just 3.7 yards per carry the last five weeks, and that includes a game vs. Carolina where they went for 6.1 yards per rush. Give me another nail biter, but I think the 49ers make enough plays on defense to get a win.
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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.
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